Family Stories
Liz
Liz is a proud single mom of three remarkable kids. Her oldest is a high-achieving high school senior deeply involved in sports, National Honor Society, and anti-bullying
initiatives. Her middle child is a spunky, nurturing preschooler, and her youngest has already faced-and overcome-more
medical challenges than most people face in a lifetime, including major
surgeries. Their family is rooted in resilience, love, and an unwavering belief that brighter days are ahead. Thanks to Habitat for Humanity, those days are finally within reach.
Their current home is unsafe. Mold threatens her children’s health, especially her youngest, and the home is nearly impossible to cool in the summer and expensive to heat in the winter. Liz applied for a Habitat home with one dream in mind: to give her children a safe, stable place to call their own.
Trish
For years, Trish has fought to keep her family safe, fed,
and together through trials that would have broken many.
As a single mother of 4 boys, three that still live at home, she
has endured illness, abandonment, financial hardship, and
housing instability–all while fiercely protecting her children. Years
ago, a devastating battle with undiagnosed Lyme disease and a severe
co-infection left her bedridden and struggling to perform even the simplest tasks. As she slowly
regained her health, she faced another heartbreak: her marriage ended, leaving her to raise
her boys alone while battling the physical and emotional toll of her illness.
The last decade has been a daily fight for survival-navigating the trauma of her children’s loss
of two father figures, supporting a son in mental health crisis, and working tirelessly to keep a
roof over their heads. When severe mold was found in their rental home, the health of the entire
family was at risk. Desperate for a safe place to live, Trish found herself in a housing situation
that wasn’t ideal, but at the time felt like the only option to keep her children sheltered.
“I was out of choices, out of hope, and exhausted,” she says.
That all changed the day she received the call from Habitat for Humanity. Her family had been
selected for an affordable, safe home of their own. “I honestly cannot convey in words what that
moment meant to me,” Trish shares. “This home will always be a symbol of strength and hope–a
reminder to never give up, because your whole world can change in one moment’s time.
” For the
first time in years, she and her children can dream beyond survival.
Habitat for Humanity is giving Trish’s family more than a house-it’s giving them a foundation to
rebuild their lives. “The staff have made me feel heard, validated, and supported,” she says.
“They truly care.” Now, the Park Rapids community can rally around them-to swing hammers,
share skills, and donate so that this home can rise from the ground. Together, we can help give
this family the fresh start they’ve prayed for, and the hope for a future that Jeremiah 29:11
promises.
Trey & Laura
Trey & Laura are proud parents to two young boys—Nash, age 2, and Rook, just 6 months old. As their family has grown, so has their need for space and stability. Until now, the four of them have been living in a small 750-square-foot, one-bedroom apartment located on the first floor of Laura’s parents’ home. While they are grateful for the shelter and support, the space has become increasingly cramped, and they have longed for a home to call their own. With the rising cost of housing, finding an affordable option has felt out of reach—until they discovered Habitat for Humanity.
Sunny’s Family
Sunny’s home is filled with love, laughter, and a whole lot of life. As a single mother raising a large, blended family—including her own children, a bonus daughter, and a young granddaughter—Sunny has stepped up in every way possible to provide stability and care. “Whether she was born from me or not,” Sunny says of her bonus daughter and granddaughter, “it is my duty to be there as a mother to them as well.” Her unwavering sense of responsibility and compassion defines everything she does. What she needs now is a home that reflects the strength and love her family already shares.
Josh & Isabell
Joshua and Isabell are a devoted couple working hard to create a better life for their blended family of five. With three beautiful children, they’ve shared the dream of raising their kids under one roof, where they can grow, thrive, and make memories that last a lifetime. Currently, Josh lives with the older kids at his parents’ home, while Isabell and her son stay at her parents’ house. Weekends are spent traveling between homes, supporting one another, and making it all work—together.