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History
1991 – First Closing
In January, HFHLC dedicated its first house and the closing followed. By November, Missouri Myers became HFHLC’s second homeowner in North Chicago through the efforts of area churches and individuals.
1993 – First HOME Grant and First ReStore Sale
Libertyville Builds sponsored two more houses in Waukegan. We received our first HUD/HOME grant through the County of Lake. Randy Blodgett, a Navy volunteer, organized our first sale of building materials at Lorrell. HFHLC hired Julie Donovan as its first Executive Director. Ted Ramai joined HFHLC on Saturdays as Construction Manager.
1996 – Six Houses in Two Cities
The churches in Wauconda formed Cornerstone Partners and the churches of Highland Park and Deerfield formed the Lake-Cook Partnership and each sponsored a house in Round Lake Beach. The Lake County Technology Campus sponsored our first youth house, also in Round Lake Beach. In Waukegan, Aid Association for Lutherans and the Lutheran churches sponsored a house, the Lake Bluff/Lake Forest Partnership and Abbott also sponsored houses. We experienced the beginnings of mini-subdivisions across the county.
1999 – 10th Anniversary: 10 houses and a 10 Day Blitz Build
To celebrate our 10th Anniversary, we built 10 houses, mostly on McAlister Street in Waukegan. Hewitt, Ameritech, Abbott, Coldwell Banker were corporate sponsors. The Federal Home Loan Bank and member banks built our first Banker’s House. One of these houses was our first Blitz Build – a house we built in 10 days! We celebrated with a block party which shut down McAlister and brought great gospel music, games and food!
2002 – Carter Woods Planning Started
We finished our work on Kemble Avenue to finish the 14 house build. CDW sponsored it’s first house in an exciting and efficient build. Board members and staff started work to acquire land for our first subdivision.
2005 – Thrivent Builds, Youth United, Building on the Dream
Carter Court was alive all year with 11 homes under construction. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans piloted their national program, Thrivent Builds with Chicagoland affiliates and built 3 homes with us. We became one of the early Youth United affiliates and started our first Youth United house. One family sponsored two Houses that Spread Love. Area churches and Greek organizations sponsored our first Building on the Dream house. The Presbyterian Churches sponsored their first house. We dedicated the homes in December with Christmas carols and lights and tears of joy. We obtained the deed for the property at 12th Street and Washington Park which was to become Carter Crossing.
2007 – Carter Crossing Begins – Our Second Subdivision
In February we finally dug our first foundation at Carter Crossing after 5 years of preparation. In May we Blitz Built a house in 8 days. In November we celebrated a Dedication Ceremony with 11 families. We hired Tim Ammons as ReStore Manager in July and business, donations and sales increased.
History of Habitat for Humanity Lake County
Click here to see all of our sponsors since 1989
1988 - The First Conversations
A small group of committed volunteers began meeting at the Waukegan Public Library to explore permanent solutions to the housing needs in Lake County.
1989 – We are Habitat for Humanity!
In March Bill Ward, Habitat for Humanity Midwest Manager, spoke at the first HFHLC public meeting in the home of Don and Mary Jo Blake in Waukegan. By June we voted Habitat for Humanity Lake County into existence at Immaculate Conception Church in Waukegan. Founders included Christa Metcalf, Julie and Jim Donovan, Christine Harrison, Paul and Fran Ohm, Bill McLaughlin, Rosa Prosen, Pat Lynch, Martha Floener, Laurie Kirwin and Bob Turley. First Congregational Church in Waukegan dedicated a room for office space in their parish house in June. By August Habitat for Humanity International accepted HFHLC as an affiliate. In August the State of Illinois approved the incorporation of HFHLC. By the end of the year we received our 501 c 3 status under the HFHI group exemption.
1990 – First House Built
HFHLC started construction on purchased land for House #1 at 2024 Wallace in North Chicago in June with future homeowner, Shirley Hart and her two sons, Charlie and DJ. Members of several churches, the U.S. Navy, the Plumbers Local 93 and IBEW 150 greatly assisted in the build.
1991 – First Closing
In January, HFHLC dedicated its first house and the closing followed. By November, Missouri Myers became HFHLC’s second homeowner in North Chicago through the efforts of area churches and individuals.
1992 – Four Houses, First Church Sponsor and Beginnings of ReStore
The Homebuilders Association sponsored two houses on donated lots in North Chicago. Libertyville Builds, a group of 6 churches funded and built a house in Zion on a lot donated by a church members becoming HFHLC’s first church sponsor. Finally, through the efforts of additional churches, the Navy and individuals, HFHLC built one more house in Zion. Keller Trucking donated a semi-trailer which was set on donated space at Lorrell Business Center for excess construction materials.
1993 – First HOME Grant and First ReStore Sale
Libertyville Builds sponsored two more houses in Waukegan. We received our first HUD/HOME grant through the County of Lake. Randy Blodgett, a Navy volunteer, organized our first sale of building materials at Lorrell. HFHLC hired Julie Donovan as its first Executive Director. Ted Ramai joined HFHLC on Saturdays as Construction Manager.
1994 – First Corporate Sponsor
Abbott Laboratories became HFHLC’s first Corporate Sponsor funding and building a house in North Chicago. Area churches sponsored the Partnership House.
1995 – Five Houses
The Lake Bluff/Lake Forest Partnership sponsored its first house in North Chicago. Opus North, a commercial developer sponsored a home.
1996 – Six Houses in Two Cities
The churches in Wauconda formed Cornerstone Partners and the churches of Highland Park and Deerfield formed the Lake-Cook Partnership and each sponsored a house in Round Lake Beach. The Lake County Technology Campus sponsored our first youth house, also in Round Lake Beach. In Waukegan, Aid Association for Lutherans and the Lutheran churches sponsored a house, the Lake Bluff/Lake Forest Partnership and Abbott also sponsored houses. We experienced the beginnings of mini-subdivisions across the county.
1997 – Four House on one Block
We built 4 houses on the same block, taking over the street for the entire summer. We added Wednesday workdays and an occasional evening. We hired Jan Schmieding as part-time Business Manager after 7 years of volunteer service.
1998 – Construction Warehouse Makes Building More Efficient
Construction warehouse space donated by North Shore Printers in Waukegan greatly helped the flow of work since we needed a place to keep our “stuff” with 11 houses under construction on 6 different streets during the year. Kraft and Maxwell House sponsored their first house. Baird and Warner sponsored a house with Lou Manfredini (Mr. Fix-It) as the house lead. We hired Merri Monkemeier as our first Office Coordinator.
1999 – 10th Anniversary: 10 houses and a 10 Day Blitz Build
To celebrate our 10th Anniversary, we built 10 houses, mostly on McAlister Street in Waukegan. Hewitt, Ameritech, Abbott, Coldwell Banker were corporate sponsors. The Federal Home Loan Bank and member banks built our first Banker’s House. One of these houses was our first Blitz Build – a house we built in 10 days! We celebrated with a block party which shut down McAlister and brought great gospel music, games and food!
2000 – Another 10 Houses
We built on 6 different streets on the south side of Waukegan with Habitat volunteers everywhere. We hired Jeanne Kelly as our first Development Director and Carole Hill started part-time as our Operations Project Coordinator.
2001 – First New Trier High School House and Glencoe Interfaith Builders House
We built our first block of homes on Kemble Avenue in North Chicago in a development of 14 homes which required a major sewer extension. We enjoyed our first four AmeriCorps members (Jenny, Tracy, Nicole and Paul) who spent 11 months serving our affiliate and helping us build 15 homes. Our first youth house was built by New Trier High School. The Glencoe Interfaith Builders, a group of 7 Jewish and Christian congregations sponsored their first house.
2002 – Carter Woods Planning Started
We finished our work on Kemble Avenue to finish the 14 house build. CDW sponsored it’s first house in an exciting and efficient build. Board members and staff started work to acquire land for our first subdivision.
2003 – Carter Woods Begins – Our First Subdivision
After a year and a half of preparation we held a tremendous Groundbreaking Ceremony in June. Several delays later, we finally excavated our first house in our first subdivision in September. Through the fall, Joel Kennedy’s company installed sewers and a pond. We hired Brenda Porter as our first Family Services Coordinator, Cassie Bertke as Office Coordinator and Judy Datz as Development Director in late summer. The county approved us as a Community Housing Development Organization. We started exploratory work on our second subdivision at 12th Street and Washington Park.
2004 – Gardening Together Begins
After building continuously we dedicated our first four Carter Woods homes on 14th Street in the late summer and then four more houses on Dugdale in late fall. Mary Jane Dybas, an amazing volunteer founded our Gardening Together Program which brings mentors, friends and volunteers together to enhance our Habitat yards with the families who proudly own their homes.
2005 – Thrivent Builds, Youth United, Building on the Dream
Carter Court was alive all year with 11 homes under construction. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans piloted their national program, Thrivent Builds with Chicagoland affiliates and built 3 homes with us. We became one of the early Youth United affiliates and started our first Youth United house. One family sponsored two Houses that Spread Love. Area churches and Greek organizations sponsored our first Building on the Dream house. The Presbyterian Churches sponsored their first house. We dedicated the homes in December with Christmas carols and lights and tears of joy. We obtained the deed for the property at 12th Street and Washington Park which was to become Carter Crossing.
2006 – ReStore Opens in Gurnee and 100 Homes Celebration
In February we opened our new 18,000 square foot ReStore on Grand Avenue in Gurnee and business boomed. In July we gathered for our 100 Homes Celebration with Partner Families and supporters. Lt. Governor Patrick Quinn flew into Waukegan to celebrate with us at Carter Woods in August. We held a Groundbreaking Ceremony in April for Carter Crossing but spent the rest of the year working to get the plat recorded, electric poles moved, a pond installed and permits in hand to begin construction. Jeff Smith was hired as Development Director.
2007 – Carter Crossing Begins – Our Second Subdivision
In February we finally dug our first foundation at Carter Crossing after 5 years of preparation. In May we Blitz Built a house in 8 days. In November we celebrated a Dedication Ceremony with 11 families. We hired Tim Ammons as ReStore Manager in July and business, donations and sales increased.
2008 – Carter Crossing and 11th Court are Under Construction
By March 1st, one family moved into Carter Crossing and 5 new houses were underway on 11th Court. All of the remaining homes on 11th Court are sponsored. The Board of Directors worked on Strategic Planning to set the stage for our next level of development.
