Family moves into Habitat for Humanity home

BY SARA SYVERSON

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- It was day of celebration for Sue Rose and her family, as a special dedication was held at their new home built by Habitat for Humanity.

The Rose home, at 826 N. Garden St., is the fourth home that Habitat for Humanity has helped build in New Ulm.

Construction began in the fall of 1999 and the finishing touches were put this past week.

"It feels wonderful," said Rose. "I thank everyone for working on the house. They did a wonderful job. I really liked working on the house and seeing the progress of it. Knowing that you helped with it-it feels more like your own."

Rose has lived in New Ulm all her life. She has been employed as a nurse at Divine Providence Community Home in Sleepy Eye for the past 13 years. She has one son, Derek, 15.

About two or three years after her trailer home burned down she decided to apply to Habitat for Humanity for a home. Rose heard about Habitat for Humanity and their work through her Director of Nurses.

Those who helped with the project include the District 88 Trades class, under the direction of Rick Vanroekel and Steve McClellan.

Two Habitat for Humanity board members, Brian Jensen and Tom Kienlen, are on-going site supervisors, and have continually shared their expertise with the students.

The Rose family put almost 500 hours in "sweat equity," which is one of the criteria for being chosen by Habitat for Humanity for the project.

To qualify, a family must also be living in substandard housing and meet income guidelines.

"The families fill out a questionaire," said Mary Jo Levorson, a member of the family selection committee for Habitat for Humanity. "We help them evaluate for themselves, if this is something they can handle."

Families selected pay a no-interest mortgage on the home. As Rose pays the mortgage, she will help fund future Habitat for Humanity homes.

Rose said at the dedication ceremony that she felt like she had regained her independence once again by owning a new home.

"I love my mom and dad with all my heart," said Rose, "But living with mom and dad, I didn't feel like I had a lot of independence. It feels good now to be on my own."

Rose said that her father, Les Rose, retired last year and helped a good deal in building the home.

Les assisted in building the deck on the front and he also helped with windows and insulation.

"We have on-going plans for possibly the fall of 2001 to build house number five," said local Habitat for Humanity Board President Fred Falentin. "A lot has been purchased at 11th North and Spring Streets. Potentially, house number six will also be built on this site."

Falentin said Habitat for Humanity's goal now is to raise $55,000 to build their fifth home. No family has been selected for this house yet, Falentin said.