Green County Habitat for Humanity

New Home Means
Security For

Young Family

Corie Tschannen and Chris Humphrey were quite shocked when they learned in May that they were chosen to partner with Habitat for Humanity of Green County for one of two new homes being built this summer in Browntown.

When Corie first asked about Habitat for Humanity of Green County, she was inquiring for a friend. A family she knew with 5 children from Orangeville had just lost everything in a house fire. Corie organized a donation collection effort at work that was an overwhelming success. With the help of her co-workers they collected nearly 6 van loads of cloths and toys for the family. She had seen the Habitat trailer in the Roth Kase parking lot and had heard that Rob Frie, one of the managers, was involved with Habitat somehow. She then tracked down an application and presented it to the family. This particular family decided they were not interested in moving to Browntown because the children didn’t want to change schools. That’s when she thought, maybe I should apply?

Corie Tschannen was born and raised in Monroe and has worked for Roth Kase for 7 years now. She recently moved to Orangeville with her two children and boy friend, Chris Humphrey, in an attempt to find reasonable rent for a three bedroom apartment. While the rent ended up cheaper, the heating and cooling cost have been astronomical for them. Chris also works for Roth Kase, in fact that is where they met for the first time. They became very good friends quickly as Corie was going through some difficult life changes. They decided to live together, and this has allowed Corie to reduce her work to part-time and pursue her High School Equivalency Degree. She has just one more math test to pass and she’ll graduate. “It has been a very difficult challenge, but I know it will be worth the effort,” said Corie. When asked what her plans were after that, Corie replied, “I plan to start on college right away.” She wants to be a sign language translator and said she had already wasted too much time making bad decisions and she’s excited to be moving forward to a better life for her family.

Ayannah, her 9 year old daughter is just finishing 2^nd grade in Orangeville Schools. She really likes school and loves math…which is ironically mom’s most difficult subject. She takes dance lessons, ballet and tap, at Studio M in Monroe. Ayannah said she loves the recitals most because they get to dress up in fancy outfits. She also loves Scooter the cat, and hopes to get a puppy when they are in their new home.

Corie also has a son, Autticah, who is 4 1/2 years old and attends 4k classes at Rainbow in Monroe. He said he loves Santa Clause and his elves because they bring snow and presents. He likes dinosaurs most of all and has a new blow up dinosaur that’s big as he is. Both of the children are very excited about the new house and the move to Browntown.

Chris was born in Chicago, but raised mostly in the Freeport and Orangeville area. He to has hopes of going back to school, but said, for now, he’ll have to wait his turn. He’d like to get his CDL to operate heavy equipment, and work in road construction. When not at work, or helping with the kids, Chris likes to spend time outdoors playing sports or fishing. Chris is really excited about working on their home and others. He thinks its fun to do work like this and learn new skills. Chris and Corie will be required to put in 500 hours of “sweat equity”, and they have already spent several Saturdays working on the Habitat home that was just finished in Brodhead. They laugh when they recount their first Habitat experience walking into the home and being handed a trowel and a platter of plaster… that, Corie said, “was a real learning experience”.

When asked what impact they thought the Habitat experience would have on them, Corie replied, “I think the most important benefit is that we will be able to stop moving. I’ve lost track of how many times it’s been for me lately. I think a solid foundation, a healthy and safe place to call home for the kids is just great, and I am so excited to be able to give them that; it’s just a huge sigh of relief.” Chris added that he thought this whole experience would bring them even closer together as a family.

The couple shared that marriage is definitely in the future for them, but with school, work, the kids, and now a home to build, they weren’t sure when they would be able to fit that in. Who knows, maybe a ceremony in “hard hats”?

The home will be called “Charlie’s House” and is being built in honor of Charlie Workman. Charlie has been a volunteer and sponsor with Habitat for Humanity for many years and is considered the “Father” of the Green County Affiliate. In celebration of Charlie’s 90^th birthday, his wife Marilyn, his family and friends donated $20,000 to help fund this home. Our plans are to have this family into their new home by Thanksgiving. To help fund or build “Charlie’s House” please call 608-329-4024 and leave a message to be added to the volunteer list.