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The Buchanen Family
Lincoln Logs. That’s the extent of my building expertise. I have everything to learn and you’ll have to teach me everything -- you wonderful volunteers and employees of Habitat for Humanity of Dane County.
My name is Karen Buchanan and my son, Stephen Kness is also a member of my family. We have lived in Madison since August 2000. We moved here for educational, medical and social reasons from Arizona, where Stephen was born in the 1980s. I am a lifelong renter, but a friend suggested Habitat for Humanity. Stephen is a West High School graduate and completed the automotive technician program at MATC where he was said to be a mechanical genius. Cars have been No. 1 in his life since he was three.
Although he’s worked part-time at various jobs since he was 15, he is experiencing difficulty in getting an auto tech job and recently took an Automotive Service Excellence test to further his career. He regularly donates blood and platelets to the American Red Cross, is a member of the Mercedes-Benz Club of American, attends Finnish-American Society of Madison activities, is teaching himself Finnish words and reads Finnish books that have been translated to English. He would love to care for a puppy and help it grow into a terrific dog. His No. 1 choice is the Finnish Spitz if he can find one from a rescue shelter; a Burmese Mountain Dog is his second choice.
All my employments are former – journalist, print reporter, photographer, fire department dispatcher, EMT, emergency room technician and public school teacher. My journalism training was at the University of Arizona where I earned a bachelor’s degree. Most of the teaching years were at a middle school and I have more than 60 postgraduate hours. Current memberships include the Autism Society of Greater Madison and the state and national organizations. Hobbies include reading, walking and probably will include bicycling after I buy a bicycle. I would also like to garden and grow vegetables.
A friend, Nancy Alar, led me to Habitat for Humanity of Dane County. I told her I worried about future housing for us because of rising costs and not enough money to buy. Nancy, thank you for suggesting Habitat. Like Stephen I would love to have a dog. Dogs are not allowed in the apartment where we have living for the past 10 years. We have cared for small pets in cages as Arizona renters. There was Einstein the hamster, many guinea pigs including Miss Demeaner (the smartest in the world), and Fang the female tarantula. The hamster and guinea pigs died of old age before we left Arizona and we set Fang free. Maybe she’s still inching around.
I’ve been a single parent to Stephen for all but five years of his life. After Stephen’s father deserted us and left us homeless when Stephen was three, I made a promise to myself that we would NEVER be homeless again. I’ve kept that promise and thanks to Habitat for helping me keep that promise. The house that volunteers and sweat equity will build will be my first and last home. When I am gone, it will be Stephen’s home. Thank you all – very, very much. We look forward to working and learning with you! Karen and Stephen
The Butler Family
 My story starts with my birth here in Madison. I grew up with my mother and father along with one brother and one sister. I went to Lindbergh Elementary, Gompers Middle School and East High School. I played varsity basketball and track in high school. The last year of high school I moved to Mississippi where during my first semester, to my amazement, I started to see improvement in my grades. I was accepted into R.O.T.C. and played basketball. Three months later, my father passed away and my life started to go downhill. I became depressed and I did not want to do anything. I barely graduated from high school. I had my first baby girl one year later.
I then returned to Madison and went to work for Central Wisconsin and later for Mendota Mental Health Center. I was later diagnosed with a severe case of eczema and could no longer work. Four years later, I had a baby boy and five years later I had another baby girl. Thankfully, I am not depressed about my father anymore. I work part-time and because of Habitat for Humanity of Dane County, I finally feel that I can provide a home for my kids like my parents did for me, my brother and sister.
Thank you Habitat and thank you volunteers and donors for helping me reach this wonderful goal. Temeika
The Duleski Family 
My family is from a small country in Europe called Macedonia, Skopje. The city that we lived in was called Kicevo. We came to America in September, 2006 and we are really happy for coming here. We are even happier that we were chosen for a house with the help of Habitat for Humanity of Dane County.
We are a four person family. Avnija is the dad, Lumi is the mom, Armin is the son and Fatima is the daughter. The activities that the Duleski family plays together is sports like basketball and soccer.
Thank you all the staff from Habitat for Humanity and thank you volunteers.
The Hohlstein Family
 I would like to start by saying thank you so very much to all of the Habitat for Humanity staff and volunteers! If it weren’t for you, none of this would be possible! I never in my wildest dreams thought that my family would be chosen to take part in such an amazing opportunity! My name is Jennifer Hohlstein and I am 32 years old. I have lived in Madison on the North and East sides of town for my entire life. My “family” consists of my sister Billiejo Cornelius who is 21 years old and her son who is my nephew and his name is Isaiah Cornelius and he is 4 years old.
We have lived in several different places over the years and none of them quite felt like home. So, having a permanent home of our very own that we can decorate how ever we choose will be amazing! The two things that my family and I are most excited about is being able to have our very own rooms and being able to have a yard for my nephew and our miniature Dachshund to play.
We are looking very forward to this whole process and we are expecting to learn lots. Again, we thank you so very much!
Sincerely, The Hohlstein/Cornelius family
The Landgraf Family
 On Sept. 22, a very large weight was lifted off my shoulders. Kelly called me at work to let me know that my boys and I where selected to be part of the Habitat family. I was so excited that I was crying and hugging my coworkers. Everybody that I share my news with at work was happy for us and said they would help out on a Saturday.
Since my divorce, nearly seven years ago, we have rented. It has never been easy and we’ve found it difficult to find a nice place to rent. Having a home would mean a place to call our own. I love to plant flowers and mow the grass. My sons like to shovel snow. We can say goodbye to renting and the landlords.
My sons are in Boys Scouts and are now involved with basketball. My youngest son would like a basketball hoop of his own. Now I can tell him he can have one when we move into our own home. I look forward to having a yard for all of us to hang out in and to have people over for cookouts. Yes, we have great things to look forward to. I like to work on projects around the house as does my oldest son. Meeting new people is a great opportunity that I look forward to as well.
Thank you to all of the volunteers and to Habitat for all that you do. It is very much appreciated. Hugs to all of you! Aimee
The Klein Family
 My name is Kristi Klein and I have a two-year old daughter, Kalia, and a nine-month old son, Kayden. I just recently moved out of my mother and stepfather’s house. It has been nice living with all of them, but space was tight.It has been a challenge but we have lots of support on our side that we are very thankful for.
I am currently working at Oak Park nursing and rehab as a certified nursing assistant, where I have worked for the last three years. I am also attending MATC to pursue my dream to become a registered nurse, hopefully in the next few years. I really enjoy working and helping people.
I will just be very grateful to know that we will soon have a stable home and a great place to continue our lives. Thanks to everyone for making this dream come true! Kristi
The Morgan Family
 I am single mom of three beautiful daughters, Andrenia, 17, who is completing her high school career, Zoe, 14, and is just venturing into the start of her high school career, Zalea, 13, and will going into 8th grade. Andrenia enjoys books, books and more books, Zoe likes sports and Facebook, Zalea enjoys spending time with her friends, music and painting.
As for me I enjoying reading, at times painting and I volunteer with Kids Ministry at my church, which is like a family to me.I am a transplant from St. Louis and have been here since 1991.; Most of my family is there so it’s nice to have a Church Family and friends.
When I found out I was selected for a Habitat home I gave a shout of praise to the Father in heaven and proceeded to call my mom and best friend to share the wonderful news.; I quickly got on the horn to immediately start asking for prayers for the site, location, volunteers and the process over all. As I gained understanding of how this program works with all the pieces that need to take their place I was a taken back by the generosity of the sponsors, volunteers. My thoughts hovered over the early years of when this country was a mere infant and the close knit communities of those days and it was refreshing to my heart to see a community come together for a purpose such as this. To be a part of such a community is humbling and overwhelming! I look forward to creating a home that will welcome friends, family and reflect the heart of the Father.
Sponsors, volunteers, Habitat Staff- Thank you! I cannot express all that gratitude I have for your time, effort, generosity, dedication, hard work, and commitment.
I believe your involvement and investment; will be returned to you a hundred folds, as it is written; you reap what you sow.; What great seeds to plant, to create a beautiful garden of community!
May the Father bless you and keep you and yours. Fondly,Shelly Morgan
My name is Abdellatif SAMHANI. I came to the United States in 2003 and I immediately got a job as a cabinet maker. I lived in an apartment with my friends for five years. In 2009, my wife Faouzia joined me and we lived in a two bedroom apartment. Since my daughter Yasmine was born in June 2011, I started thinking of becoming a homeowner, but it was too hard for me since I am the only one working.
On Sept. 21, we received a phone call from Habitat for Humanity of Dane County, telling my wife Faouzia that we are qualified to become a homeowner. She immediately called me at work and told me that our dream had become true. I was so happy and I could not wait to go home to celebrate this great moment that is going to change our life.
Having my own home means so much to me and to my family. I finally got the chance to do lots of things around the house, taking care of my own place and watching my little Yasmine grow up and enjoy the space.
On behalf of my family, I would like to thank all the Habitat staff, volunteers and sponsors and every single one in the community who has contributed to make this dream come true. Abdellatif SAMHANI
The Vang/Cheng Family
 My name is Neng Cheng. I was born in Laos. I am married to Song Vang. My husband was born in Thailand. We have five children; four boys and one girl. Their names are Kemen, Eric, Lorina, Benjamin and Mark.
Kemen will be 6 this year. He will be attending Frank Allis elementary school. Eric will be four this year. Lorina my only girl; will be three this year. Benjamin my sleepy head will be two this year and, Mark my baby will be one this year. They are the joy of my life.
My husband and I met eight years ago. We have been married for six years. When my husband and I first got married, we lived with my in-laws, as it was the custom of our culture. But, after two years we moved out and lived by ourselves. After awhile, we ended up living in the apartment that we are living in now. The apartment that we live in now is horrible. The neighborhood is not the best and the apartment is infested with cockroaches and our managers do not really seem to care. They are just trying to make profit off us and do not really care about what kinds of conditions we are living in.
We’ve been trying to find a better place for us. But, every time we found a place, they would either deny us because there are too many of us or the price is too high and we can’t afford it. We have now been living in the same apartment for three years and things are not getting any better.
My dream is to have my own house one day. My six year old always ask my husband “daddy when are you going to go buy a home for us?” Whenever my husband and I hear that we would just laugh it off. But, really we were sad that we could not provide a home for them.
One day, my sister-in-law told me about Habitat for Humanity. We were not really sure what it was but, my sister-in-law took us to one of the meeting to see if we were interested. We went to the meeting and find it very interested so, we signed up for the program. When we heard that we got in we were very happy. We shared the news with our sister-in-law; she was happy for us. We are so happy and grateful because one of our dreams is to be able to own a house of our own and soon it well be realized.
I cannot say how grateful I am to the Habitat for Humanity of Dane County volunteers for giving us a chance to live out our dreams. Thank you the volunteers so much for taking time away from you own time and devoting it to help build our home Thank you volunteers for giving us a home so that our children can grow up happy and healthy in a house filled with love and warmth. Thank you, Neng Chang & Song Vang
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