- Who We Are
- Our Programs
- Our mission is to empower families to gain access to decent, safe and affordable housing. This mission is fulfilled by partnering with families to become homeowners or improve the safety of their existing homes.
- How You Can Help
- Whether you’re an individual, a family, or a corporate sponsor, when you choose to provide your time, talents and resources to Fox Cities Habitat, you will see the tangible results of your generosity.
- Donate
- ReStore
- Our ReStore in Appleton is a retail store like none other. Anyone can donate and purchase new and gently used building materials and household items.
- How to Donate
A Look at 2024
Posted on January 8, 2025
A Look at 2024
As we close out on another year, we wanted to reflect on all the milestones and achievements we reached in 2024. Since 1993, Fox Cities Habitat has served families in Waupaca, Outagamie, Calumet and Northern Winnebago counties. As always, our consistent mission is focused on building hope, community and safe affordable housing. Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to live, and our community thrives when this basic need is met. Each year we continue to grow, helping more people reach stability, and every year we achieve more accomplishments than the last. Our work is not possible without the dedication of our volunteers and donors; without them these accomplishments wouldn’t have been possible. Let’s take a dive into 2024!
In 2024…
Fox Cities Habitat proudly achieved a new milestone by completing a record-breaking 19 homes built. surpassing our previous achievements. This accomplishment reflects the incredible dedication of our volunteers and donors who have put so much effort and love into bringing safe, affordable housing to families through our Homebuyer Program. We also hit huge milestones through our Home Repair Programs and Rock the Block on Doty Island. Rock the Block on Doty Island started in 2023, with 35 of these critical repair projects on Doty Island coming to completion in 2024! Additionally, 67 Lead Remediation projects were completed in 2024. Each home built or repaired represents hope, stability and a brighter future! We are so grateful for the collective effort that has made this year our most impactful year yet.
Fox Cities Habitat is a top 25 affiliate!
Out of 1,034 Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the country, Fox Cities Habitat was in the top 25 in terms of homes built, rehabbed and repaired, which puts us in the top 3% in 2024. This is remarkable considering that we are the 222nd largest affiliate service area, meaning together we are far out-producing what is common for a market of this size!
In 2024…
1,687 people volunteered for a collective 64,550 hours of volunteering!
301 of those people volunteered 24,637 hours at the ReStore or other non-construction functions and 1,386 people volunteered 39,913 hours in construction.
Nearly 60 local businesses chipped in with their teams to volunteer last year, and we’d like to give a special shoutout to these four who have shown outstanding commitment to supporting Fox Cities families:
Plexus – 188 shifts for 1,262 total hours volunteered
Fox Communities Credit Union – 147 shifts for 1,064 total hours volunteered
J.J. Keller – 107 shifts for 755 total hours volunteered
ThedaCare – 118 shifts for 741 total hours volunteered
Alongside these impressive volunteering stats, over 1,750 households and companies in our community donated to Fox Cities Habitat’s mission! Thanks to the generosity and selflessness of our donors and volunteers, we can make a meaningful difference in our community and the lives of many families. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!
Sara, Nicholas and their five children; Elijah, Adonias, Malachi, Alayna, and Evelyn are one of the families served in 2024. They received the keys to their home in October, but their journey to homeownership has been long and challenging. Over the past ten years, they’ve moved eight times, encountering issues like mold and roaches, and even faced periods of homelessness.
After they applied to Habitat and were accepted into the program, they felt an immense sense of relief – a heavy burden was lifted knowing they would now have an affordable mortgage. This family invested many hours of sweat equity during the process of their home being constructed and it was truly a special moment when they received the keys to a home where their family can thrive for many years to come!
A Stable Home for Sara, Nick and their Children
“Partnering with Habitat means our growing family has a stable and comfortable home. We don’t have to worry about what the next place will be like for our family. It means our children can have a backyard to play in and have bedrooms of their own. What a blessing for our family!”
– Sara, 2024 Habitat Homebuyer
An additional heartwarming highlight of 2024 unfolded in June when Fox Cities Habitat hosted our annual Family Reunion Picnic at Smith Park on Doty Island. The event brought together volunteers, Habitat families, and staff for an unforgettable evening of laughter, camaraderie, cherished memories, and a mouthwatering meal graciously provided by Blue Lid BBQ. The picnic was more than just a gathering; it was a heartfelt celebration of the incredible network of members and supporters who make Habitat’s mission possible. Together, we celebrated our shared impact, strengthened bonds, and reaffirmed our commitment to building a thriving, connected community in the Fox Cities!
As we reflect on the incredible impact we achieved in 2024, we turn our eyes to the future with renewed determination, because our mission is more important now than ever. Each year, we strive to expand our reach and make an even greater difference. In 2025, we are excited to aim high, with plans to build 20 homes and enhance our Home Repair and Almost Home programs to better serve the needs of our community. Over the next few years, we are building our capacity and refocusing our efforts to break even more records!
None of this would be possible without the unwavering support of our volunteers and sponsors, our village of changemakers who help turn dreams into reality. If you’re inspired to join us in making a difference in 2025, explore the links below to discover how you can support Fox Cities Habitat and help build a brighter future for all!
To Volunteer press here or the button above!
To Donate press here or the button above!