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When the newest and third Habitat for Humanity of Kosciusko County house is finished, it’ll be a complete Women Build home - the first in over a dozen years.
Wednesday afternoon, Habitat had a groundbreaking ceremony for the home in the 1800 block of Hepler Drive in Warsaw, on a lot donated by Bowen Health last fall. Dozens of people showed up for it, mostly women who will be participating in the home’s construction.
“We are very, very excited to break ground on our third home this year. So, this is actually for Alexis and Khamaree (Manges),” said Ben Logan, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Kosciusko County. “... And, as you all probably know, this is the Women Build house. That means this house is going to be 100% built and funded by nearly 300 women volunteers throughout the rest of this year.”
The last 100% Women Build Habitat home was completed around 2012-13 on East Market Street, he said after the ceremony. Since then, Habitat has not done an entire house as a Women Build. The last few years, “we did two, three weeks, but now that we’re building three homes, we really wanted to dedicate one of them to the Women Build, and so we went straight from a three-week Women Build to a whole house.”
There were Women Build weeks in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
The women will not only be building the home - the framing, siding, etc. - but they’ve also been raising money for its construction.
“We have 25 teams of Women Build, about 10 to 12 women each on those teams, and they’re scattered throughout September, October, November and we’re going to be building this house,” Logan said. “... It’s really a mix. There’s no company-required sponsorship. Each team is just raising (funds). We gave them a goal of $6,000 each, so between each person that’s about $500, so we’re saying, ‘You go raise money from your friends, your family, your company, whoever that looks like. Give it yourself if you don’t want to ask, that’s fine. But raise that money and that all funnels into funding this entire house.”
He said there are a few corporate teams, but there’s also some that aren’t.
Jay Baumgartner, chief financial officer for Bowen Health, stated during the ceremony, “Bowen Health is so proud to be part of Habitat for Humanity and this Women Build.”
He said Bowen wanted the lot to be put back to use and used in a way that benefitted the community.
“Stable and safe housing is one of the determinates of a healthy mental health lifestyle. The lack of stable housing leads to stress, depression, anxiety and a host of other mental health issues, so it just made sense for Bowen Health to align with Habitat for Humanity and to donate this land,” Baumgartner said.
He told Alexis someday soon the Habitat home will be hers and “it won’t be a house, it’ll be a home. And, certainly, making sure that adequate housing is available is one way we can help with the mental health issues in our communities, so we’re just so proud to partner with Habitat for Humanity for this, and we just applaud the work that you are doing in our community. And it’s nonprofits helping nonprofits, the way we look at it, and the community wins.”
Brenda Allbritten, a representative of Warsaw Community Church, offered the blessing and prayer. She talked about how she and her husband, David, mentored two new homeowners from Habitat and they obviously believe in the program.
“As this is a groundbreaking of a 100% Women’s Build, there is a Habitat slogan that says, ‘Strong Women Build Strong Homes.’ And when I read that, I thought of some strong women in the Bible,” Allbritten said, listing Esther, Ruth, Mary and Mary Magdalene. “... All of these are women who are good examples who loved, who had faith, who had courage, wisdom and leadership, just like all the women here who are going to build this home.”
The plan for the three-bedroom, one bathroom, open concept home owned by Alexis Manges, 26, and her son Khamaree Manges, 4, is to have it finished by year’s end. It’ll be about 1,150 square feet and one story.
Originally from the Syracuse-Wawasee area, Alexis said they currently live in a Warsaw apartment that led her to apply for the Habitat home.
“Where me and my son are currently, we do face a lot of issues with the housing itself right now. Mold is a big factor, it’s actually my main factor in deciding to apply,” she said. “My son was having some health issues and after the doctor’s visits and stuff, we determined that’s our main cause. It’s grown a bit out of control at this point, definitely, but that was my main concern. Finding a forever home for me and my son is something that would be healthy and something he can grow in and develop.”
Khamaree has constantly been sick in their current living situation, while Alexis has suffered from headaches caused by the mold.
Part of the Habitat program requires the homeowner to put in some sweat equity toward the build. Alexis said she is around the 125-hour mark and will be putting in a total of 250 hours.
She applied in August 2024, and received the call they were accepted for the house in October 2024.
“As long you do everything that you’re supposed to, and turn your documents in and work with them and communicate with them, they (Habitat) make it really easy. It’s a really quick process,” Alexis said.
She works at Da-Lite Legrand in Warsaw and she said they’ve been very helpful with the process.
“We’re doing the all-women Women Build house. I’m super excited for that, to work with so many people in our community. My work has stepped in and they’ve created some teams, and outside of work we have a lot of people that are here, that I’m seeing, that are a part of the Women Build, so I’m super excited to work with everybody, meet with everybody. We’ll have a good time!” Alexis stated.
To learn more about Habitat, visit kosciuskohabitat.org, call their office at 574-269-4104 or follow them on Facebook (@kosciuskohabitat).
