OGLE COUNTY — Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County, Inc. Board President Don Schier and Vanessa White-Broome, executive director, are proud to announce that their organization has received a $30,000 grant from the Community Grants Program of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois with support from the Dr. Louis & Violet Rubin Fund for its 2020 Rochelle New Home Build & 2020 Ogle County Exterior Repair Projects.  
“2019 was another amazing year for our affiliate,” White-Broome said. “This was in large part due to again being a recipient of a grant from the CFNIL. In 2019, we served four families with our Brush with Kindness program as extensive repair projects were completed, as well as two community projects in Rochelle. In 2020, we are excited to again build another home in Rochelle. This will benefit an area family with a new three-bedroom home in Rochelle, as was done in 2018 for a family of five.”
Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County, Inc. brings people together to build homes, community and hope. Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization whose mission is to eliminate poverty housing by building simple, decent affordable houses for people in need, helping to revitalize neighborhoods and communities. With volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of materials and money, Habitat builds and rehabilitates houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families.

“By partnering with those qualified in the Ogle County service area, our affiliate provides opportunities for homeownership thus opening doors to security, stability, hope, and a sense of pride in becoming a homeowner,” White-Broome said. “We also help existing homeowners to maintain the integrity and value of their home through our Brush with Kindness repair and beautification program. Our housing solutions are designed to empower families and enhance their Habitat experience with life changing opportunities.  The delivery of our housing services in the Ogle County area has been strengthened through community partnerships and by maximizing resources to directly influence lives of those we serve.”
Purpose
The 2020 grant funds received from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois will assist the organization in serving additional families as we continue to fulfill the mission. Since starting up, the organization has been building decent, affordable quality homes for many lower income families that might not otherwise have qualified for a mortgage. The programs are a hand-up, not a hand-out. CFNIL grant funds have continued to benefit the affiliate in serving partner families so that they can reside in quality, affordable homes.
“We are very excited to share this news with everyone in Ogle County, and are very appreciative to the Board of Trustees of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, as well as countless other individuals and businesses in the area who have supported our organization in one way or another,” White-Broome said. “This ongoing support enabled us to serve four families in 2018 and four more in 2019 – families now residing in decent, affordable housing. We are so fortunate to operate in a county that understands and supports the benefits of providing decent, affordable housing options to those in need in our communities. With the assistance of our many loyal supporters, since 2002 we have been able to continue to provide our housing programs in Ogle County. Our goal remains to be working alongside individuals in Ogle County to improve their living conditions by offering opportunities for a more stable life as a homeowner. The $30,000 grant funds from CFNIL for 2020 will aid greatly in accomplishing this goal.”
The mission of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois is to serve as a catalyst for giving in order to attract, preserve, and grow an endowment for the current and future needs of the people of Northern Illinois. Since its founding in 1953, CFNIL has granted more than $65 million for charitable purposes in the region.