Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity, a leader in affordable housing solutions, is excited to help a family take another step into homeownership this holiday season. On Saturday, Nov. 15, at 11 a.m. at the Fox Cities Habitat office, located at 921 Midway Rd. in Menasha (map), Fox Cities Habitat is helping Alexis Schultz surprise her three children, ages 11, 10 and 5 years old, with an 11-month-old Labrador/Shepherd mix named Drake, adopted from a Wisconsin animal shelter. This moment celebrates Habitat’s ongoing mission to not only provide affordable housing solutions but also help families create meaningful memories and opportunities through homeownership.
“Fox Cities Habitat prides itself on being able to help families overcome barriers through education and hard work, which we like to call sweat equity. Alexis and her family have put in the work, but the kids have always wanted a dog. It was one of the biggest parts of homeownership that they were excited about,” explained Amy McGowan, Vice President of Philanthropy and Donor Relations with Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity. “Habitat is excited that we get to help give this family a hand up to improve their quality of life and achieve this dream.”
Three years ago, the Schultz family was approved for the Fox Cities Habitat homeownership program with an affordable 0% mortgage. At the time, Alexis, a single mother, worked hard to try and give her kids the best life possible, but she found herself facing barrier after barrier in trying to give her kids a home of their own. When she learned they would be able to work with Fox Cities Habitat to purchase a home, the family was ecstatic. The children were excited to be able to have their own home to decorate and have space to play, but they were most excited to finally be able to have a pet of their own.
“Since moving into our house, we’ve truly embraced the joy of being homeowners,” shared Alexis Schultz. “We’ve decorated it to reflect our style, spent the summer planting and even got to know our neighbors. It’s the little things that make this experience so rewarding and I am excited to be able to continue seeing my kids’ faces light up with yet another piece of homeownership, having a pet.”
Alexis continues to dedicate her time and talents to Habitat, giving back to the organization that once helped her achieve homeownership. Now, she’s helping her children fulfill another dream that homeownership made possible with the adoption of Drake, an 11-month-old Labrador/Shepherd mix.
“It’s difficult to own a pet without a home. Whether because of space or pet fees or limitations on size, we’re excited that owning our own home gives us the opportunity to add a new furry member of our family,” said Schultz.
Fox Cities Habitat has seen how hard the Schultz family has worked the past three years to grow into their home and continue helping others. It’s also aware of how badly the children wanted a dog upon moving into their home. Habitat wants to bring people together to celebrate all the life-changing things that can happen to a family when they have a stable place to live and grow.
To volunteer or support Fox Cities Habitat’s efforts, including giving families a brighter future, visit foxcitieshabitat.org/donate.
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About Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity
The Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit Christian housing organization that believes in a vision of the world where everyone has a decent place to live. This vision is brought to reality through affordable housing solutions which help families become homeowners, assist low-income homeowners with critical home repairs, support families in improving their financial situations to qualify for homeownership and aid current Habitat homeowners through financial emergencies.
For more information and to learn how you can donate or volunteer, visit foxcitieshabitat.org.