Stories
From volunteering and donating to purchasing homes, shopping at Omaha’s Habitat ReStore and so much more, people partner with Habitat for Humanity of Omaha in a variety of ways. It’s these people who shape Habitat Omaha and help us as we strive to achieve our vision, “a world where everyone has a decent place to live”. Learn more about Habitat Omaha and find out how you can get involved by reading their stories.
Explore Stories by Category
Growing Up Habitat – Joseph’s Story
To start off National Homeownership Month, we would like to share a story that debuted at our Women’s Power Luncheon this year. Meet Joseph.
Looking back on a joyful year of homeownership with Marcus
The 26th Women Build Kickoff will break ground this month. This volunteer service opportunity recruits, trains and empowers women to make a difference in their community by building safe, energy-efficient and affordable homes.
Habitat Omaha Volunteers and Staff Inspired by President Carter’s Humanity
“I have one life and one chance to make it count for something. My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can, with whatever I have, to make a difference.”
Jimmy Carter
An Answered Prayer for Betty
Habitat Omaha’s Home Repair Program allows local senior to stay in her home. After seeing Habitat Omaha flyers and hearing about them from neighbors, it motivated her to call the organization. Betty was able to qualify for a loan through Habitat Omaha, choose a contractor and move forward to get the work done. Within three days of being approved, contractors were working on the roof.
Landing on a New Home
Amber and her children come home from work, or school, and gravitate towards Marshmallow. The Syrian hamster is one of three pets the family has acquired since becoming Habitat Omaha homeowners. Amber used to live on a land agreement in a cottage, which worked for her as she wanted to renovate and purchase it from the landlord. He, unfortunately, did not seem willing to sell. As Amber’s family grew, the dwelling began to feel smaller.
First Bluestem Home Build Underway with the Help of Benson High Trades Students
Under the leadership of Habitat Omaha’s Margie Schill and Benson High’s Thom Sibbitt, the students hauled lumber, read plans and worked with staff to install the green plate on the foundation, the first step in installing wood framing for the five-bedroom home.
Longtime North Omaha Resident Gains a Place of Her Own
An affordable apartment with help from an assistance program had kept her from sleeping on friends’ couches, but didn’t solve all of her problems or help fulfill her goal of becoming a homeowner.
ACCESSBank gives back to Habitat Omaha for its 15th anniversary
ACCESSbank is celebrating 15 years in business by donating $15,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Omaha through its anniversary campaign. This gift will support Habitat Omaha’s efforts for affordable housing across the metro.
The Thursday crew: Women Building Omaha One House at a Time
Affordable housing in Omaha has been helped, in part, by three women and numerous women volunteers over nearly three decades. Mona and her “girls”, Norma and Meredith, are one unstoppable team that has contributed thousands of hours to build hundreds of houses to help build a strong community.
The 29th Barn Dance is back for Good Family Fun
Jim Wood’s birthday has morphed into a yearly barn dance community event. He is happy to celebrate for a good cause by keeping the dancing beat on the upright bass.
Petition your elected representatives
There is strong evidence indicating that decent, affordable housing reduces chronic disease, lowers stress, diminishes infectious disease and leads to improved physical and mental health. Affordable housing frees up funds within tight family budgets for health care and quality food. To create a healthy community, we must have decent, affordable housing.
Bettye’s Blessing
Bettye’s Blessing Bettye Coleman spent more than 12 years comforting patients’ loved ones, and doing HR tasks and other duties as an employee of Select Specialty Hospital. One day in 2022, a...
Chyla’s Story: A Home is built with Love and Dreams . . . And Hard Work
12 years into owning her neat, modest north Omaha home, she’s very thankful. Homeownership brought her the stability and long-term security she sought for herself and her children, Kylen, 14 and Kylia, 4.
28 Years of Making an Impact on Affordable Housing & Neighborhood Stability
FNBO has made a vast impact with Habitat for Humanity of Omaha in our community. The banking company has helped move forward our mission of building strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter in several ways.
Healing A Home — Habitat Omaha’s Repair Program
Decent shelter is something everyone needs to thrive. Noah discovered that Habitat for Humanity of Omaha assists people with housing in several ways when he asked for help with a home repair.