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About Us

Our Vision

A world where EVERYONE has a decent place to live.

Our Mission

Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.

About

Lake Agassiz Habitat
for Humanity

Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity (LAHFH) is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles that seeks to put God’s love into action by building homes, communities and hope. LAHFH is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all.

We partner with local businesses, churches and volunteers to help build homes with qualifying families. Volunteers provide most of the labor, and individual and corporate donors provide money and materials to build Habitat houses. Most importantly, partner families play a large role in the building of the home. They invest 250 hours of labor – “sweat equity” – into building their homes and the homes of others. They also make income-based mortgage payments which go into a fund that is used to build more houses.

With the generous support of donors and volunteers LAHFH has made a lasting and meaningful impact in our community by helping local families realize their dreams of home-ownership and furthering Habitat’s goal of simple, decent and affordable housing.

All are welcome

Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity has an open-door policy: All who believe that everyone needs a decent, affordable place to live are welcome to help with the work, regardless of race, religion, age, gender, political views or any of the other distinctions that too often divide people. In short, Habitat welcomes volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds and also serves people in need of decent housing regardless of race or religion.

As a matter of policy, Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliated organizations do not proselytize. This means that Habitat will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must either adhere to or convert to a particular faith, or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith. About Habitat for Humanity International Founded in Americus, Georgia, USA, in 1976, Habitat for Humanity today operates around the globe and has helped build, renovate and repair more than 600,000 decent, affordable houses sheltering more than 3 million people worldwide.

Did You know?

After volunteers and the future homeowners work side-by-side to build the home, Habitat sells the home to a pre-qualified family using an income-based mortgage. Payments are set below 30% of each family’s monthly income to ensure long-term affordability. Because Habitat acts as the lender, 100% of the mortgage principal payments return to Habitat to help build more homes.

Our Board

Meet our current board members

Our Board of Directors meets once a month. Board members are selected both for their commitment to the mission of HFH and to represent the entire community. The Board consists of representatives from the faith community, local universities, non-profit organizations, and community businesses, as well as public and private sector housing professionals. The Board meets regularly on the third Thursday of each month.

Kaylin Frappier

President - Retired COO/Deputy CEO - Family Healthcare

Becki Johnson

Vice President - LSW, M.S., CCAP - Director of Family & Community Services - Lakes & Prairies Community Action Partnership

Kelly Hagel

Treasurer - Technical Manager - John Deere Electronic Solutions

Kyla DuBord

Secretary - VP Content Experience - Discovery Benefits

Kyle Daily

At Large Member - Program Manager - Aldevron

Linda Klebe

Past President - Commercial Realtor and General Contractor

Dave Slotten

Retired Business Banker

Dan Eggiman

Mortgage Loan Officer - Gate City Bank

Dave Roeder

Vice President/Correspondent Banking Officer - Western State Bank

Nick Hamilton

Realtor - Park Company & Past Habitat Homeowner

Pastor Elizabeth Hiller

Senior Pastor - Dilworth Lutheran Church

Melissa Kubasta

Regional Bank District Manager - Wells Fargo Bank

Mary Suomala Folkerds

Lead Pastor - Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd

Marcus Roman

Marketing Manger - Floor to Ceiling Carpet One

L. Peyton Mastera

City Administrator - City of Dilworth

Not pictured: 

Craig Campbell – Retired

Our Staff

Jim Nelson

Executive Director

jim@lakeagassizhabitat.org
218-359-0360

Pete Christopher

Resource Development/Marketing Manager

pete@lakeagassizhabitat.org
218-512-0109

Mike Vandal

Restore Manager

mike@lakeagassizhabitat.org
218-359-0361

Brianna Gruenberg

Volunteer and Family Services Coordinator

brianna@lakeagassizhabitat.org
218-359-0814

Kyle Pieper

Construction Manager

Kyle@lakeagassizhabitat.org
218-359-0362

Anna Poitra

ReStore Assistant Manager

not pictured:

Tyson – Restore Associate

Kelly – Restore Associate

Jessica – Restore Associate

Nichole – Restore Associate

History

Lake Agassiz Habitat
for Humanity

Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity was started in 1991 by Phil Holtan, the campus pastor at Concordia College. The first home built was dedicated to the family on January 19, 1992. In the early years of LAHFH, there was no full-time staff, the Board of Directors and other dedicated volunteers took it upon themselves to make the dream of homeownership a reality for many families. LAHFH did, and still does, rely heavily on the support of the community to succeed.

In 2006 the Habitat ReStore opened its doors. The ReStore not only offsets the costs of operating the organization, but also diverts almost 2 million pounds of reusable materials from local landfills every year.

As of 2022, Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity has been able to build 72 homes locally and 42 internationally through our tithing program.

Through the commitment and dedication of volunteers, businesses, congregations, community organizations and staff, Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity will continue to serve families for years to come.

International Opportunities

The International Opportunity and Disaster Recovery Program

Interested in traveling with Habitat internationally? Habitat International has many trips that travel all over the world. Through Habitat World Village and/or Thrivent Builds Worldwide.

Learn More

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