MEET YASIR AND RENA
Since relocating to Iowa in 2012, Yasir and Rena have moved their family home on average every three years. With four children and an elderly mother to care for, this has been no small undertaking. It’s safe to say the whole family is excited about the comfort, safety, and stability they will get in their new Habitat home.
 
Yasir’s mother Afaf lives with her son and his family, and it has been a struggle to find a rental house that meets her mobility needs. Afaf cannot safely walk down stairs, and even with assistance she has suffered several falls while attempting to do so. In their current home, Afaf’s bedroom is on the upper level, and so she comes downstairs very rarely—only when it is absolutely necessary, and those times are very scary and distressing for her. Her grandchildren are saddened that, most days, she is effectively trapped in her bedroom, and they worry that she feels like she is in a jail. In their new home, Afaf will have a bedroom and accessible bathroom on the ground floor of the home. She will be able to safely join the rest of the family at the dinner table every night, no longer feeling fear at the thought of moving about her home.
IVHFH CELEBRATES
ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF ERMAR PROGRAM
Happy anniversary, ERMAR! IVHFH’s Emergency Repair and Major Appliance Replacement program, launched in October 2020, is officially celebrating its first birthday. Throughout this last year, we have been in awe of the community’s response to this program. In its first year, ERMAR completed 27 projects, serving 23 households in Johnson County. We continue to be flooded with calls from homeowners who are in need of this service and look forward to expanding the reach of the program. ERMAR staff are currently working with residents of Forest View Trailer Court, many of whom are in need of major repairs to continue living in their homes safely. 
BREAKING GROUND ON THE
JANE HAGEDORN WOMEN BUILD
In August, IVHFH and the Women Build committee hosted a Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Jane Hagedorn Women Build. This home will be purchased by Mogahid and Rahma who need a safe and affordable home for their family of eight. The Women Build committee has already raised over $60,000 to support construction of this home as well as a Helping Hands repair project. Jane Hagedorn and the Women Build committee have a goal to raise over $80,000 and are hosting the Hammers and Hardhats online auction this month to help reach that fundraising goal. Construciton of the home will take place in Spring 2022.
IVHFH DEDICATES
DAVE SCHULDT
MEMORIAL BUILD HOME
IVHFH celebrated Habitat family Tracie, Kayleb, and Cynthia last month with a Dedication Ceremony culminating construction of the Dave Schuldt Memorial Build home. With generosity and support from Dave's wife, Sandra Schuldt, and their friends and family, and First United Methodist Church, the home was constructed to remember Dave Schuldt and to honor him for his contributions to Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity and our community. Future homeowner, Tracie, says, "Thank you so much! All of the hardwork put into our home is appreciated beyond belief. As a mom, knowing my children are safe in a new home means the world to me."
IVHFH'S, TAMI BONNETT, RECOGNIZED BY CBJ
Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity is thrilled to announce that our very own Tami Bonnett, Development Director, has been selected as one of Corridor Business Journal’s Forty Under 40! Each year, CBJ honors outstanding individuals who have made a significant impact in their field and their community. Tami has been with IVHFH since 2013 and has been an invaluable member of the team since day one. We are so glad to see her hard work and dedication recognized in this way and can’t wait to see what her big heart leads her to accomplish next. Congratulations, Tami!
UPCOMING EVENTS!

  • October 13: Johnson County Livable Community Housing Action Team Aging in Place Forum. Register here.
  • October 21-30: Hammers and Hardhats online auction
  • October Volunteer Shifts: Sign up to volunteer on construction or in the ReStore this month!