Habitat: What We Build

Thrivent Builds Kickoff

The mounds of snow outside may dupe us into believing that winter is going to last forever, but spring is fast approaching along with the upcoming build season.  This leaves us a short period of time to plan for the season. At Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity we are already gearing up for our the season.  As our partners in the Thrivent Builds 2011 program, we want to make sure that you are well informed about our upcoming build. 

The meeting will be held on February 7, 2011 at 6:00pm at the Blue Cross Blue Shield building at 4510 13th Avenue South, Fargo, ND.

If you are interested in participating in the Thrivent Builds program please contact Catherine Kratochvil at catherine@lakeagassizhabitat.org

Congregation Focuses in on Habitat's Mission

Horace Lutheran Church is a Bible grounded, Christ centered congregation whose mission is to connect people to Jesus Christ. The welcoming congregation of just over a thousand members, supports many local ministries throughout the Fargo-Moorhead area as well as global ministries through physical, spiritual, and financial support.  Every month Horace Lutheran Church collects money and prays for the mission of one of these ministries. 

On Sunday January 23, 2011, Horace invited our organization to share our ministry with them and offered up their prayers and financial support for our work.  The congregation has supported Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity through prayer, participation on build-sites, and through monetary donations over the past three years. 

Thank you to Horace Lutheran for your continued partnership.  We look forward to growing together in Christ's love as we work to eliminate poverty housing in our community. 

A Gift from the Heart

First Congregational United Church of Christ in Moorhead, MN

First Congregational United Church of Christ is holding a unique fundraiser throughout November.  The congregation is is using the Heifer project as a basis for a fundraiser benefiting the YWCA, UCC Global Missions, Churches United for Homelessness, and Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity as well as the Heifer Project. 

The fundraiser headed by Lorilee Bergin, mimics the Heifer Project's catalog so that members can visualize the gift they are passing on to those persons in need. For example, members who choose to make a donation to Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity have varied options of giving. A $10 donation buys a box of nails and a $30 donation buys shingles for a home.  Members are given a certificate with their gift to symbolize the goods which will be purchased by the charitable organizations they have helped to support. 

Thank you to all the member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ for keeping stewardship at the forefront of your ministries, and thank you to Lorilee Bergin for organizing this event!

All Saints Sunday

Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity celebrated All Saints Sunday with Our Savior Lutheran Church in Barnesville on November 7, 2010.  Bishop Lawrence Wohlrabe of the Northwestern Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America was also in attendance and gave a stirring sermon to the people. 

During coffee time and fellowship Catherine Kratochvil hosted an informational session on Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity to prepare the congregation for the 2011 Build Season during which the organization will build its first home in the Barnesville community. 

Thank you to all who attended and to Pastor Ingrid Skillbred for inviting us to celebrate with them on All Saints Sunday.  We look forward to the coming year with excitement as we anticipate the build next summer.

Olivet Lutheran's Mission Outreach

On October 31, 2010 Olivet Lutheran Church in Fargo held their mission focus Sunday celebrating the church's work throughout the community and informing its congregation of opportunities for involvement.  The church hosted several non-profit and charitable organizations such as the Dakota Boys Ranch, Hospice, Great Plains Food Bank, and Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity.  They also featured prominent ministries within their own church such as the new ministry Soup for the Soul and their preschool ministry. 

During the Olivet's education hour between the traditional service at 8:00am and the Celebrate! worship service at 11:00am, guests from the varied ministries spoke about their organization, outreach, and opportunities for involvement in the church's fellowship hall to a large group. 

Special thanks to Olivet Lutheran Church for inviting us to celebrate our partnership in ministry together!

Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity Advocates on World Habitat Day 2010

On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, recognizing the basic need all human beings have for adequate shelter.

In 1985, the United Nations recognized again the struggle of millions of people world-wide who live in substandard dwellings which leave them vulnerable to disease, crime, malnutrition, and natural disasters. To bring attention to the issue of poverty housing and the need for safe, decent, affordable homes all over the world the United Nations designated the first Monday of every October as World Habitat Day.

In recognition of World Habitat Day 2010, Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity addressed the lack of decent housing around the world, including the need for affordable housing in Cass and Clay counties by holding a special build day at the Goldenwood Drive community in West Fargo, which has been a community the organization has built in several times.

Through World Habitat Day and other special events throughout the year Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity raises awareness and advocates for universal decent housing, so as to dismantle and alter the systems that reinforce and entrench poverty housing. In doing so, we can make an affordable, decent place to live a reality for all.