By Marcy Worzala and Bernie Triechel
Habitat for Humanity of Dane County, Inc. (HFHDC) was initiated by Oregon and Brooklyn area churches and supportive community residents in 1987. Initially they built three homes in the Oregon-Brooklyn area. Then with a change of leadership and realization that broader resources were in the affiliate’s best interests, it expanded to Habitat for Humanity-Dane County (HFHDC) in the early 1990s. Construction focused in the Madison area for the next several years. Then in 2003, again initiated by the interests of local churches, the Oregon Brooklyn Satellite came into being, a local satellite to partner with HFHDC in planning, family selection, and building Habitat homes in Oregon and Brooklyn.
A total of nine homes were built: a single family residence in Brooklyn in 2005, two duplexes (2006, 2007), and a quad-plex (2009-2010) in Oregon.
While HFHDC gave staff and financial support to these projects, the primary leadership was provided by the local Steering Committee and the enthusiasm and dedication of many area volunteers. Many community businesses contributed discounts, volunteer labor, gifts-in-kind, and expertise.
Marcy Worzala coordinated the Steering Committee through the construction of the first five residences, and then Mike Whaley spearheaded the committee for the quad-plex. Bernie Treichel was a mainstay and tremendous resource, as she was involved with volunteer coordination and construction since 1987. The final quad-plex, a two-year project, involved 10,762 volunteer hours.
One of the quads was built by the Oregon High School Trades Class, in a joint project. Another one of the quads was an “Apostles’ Build,” a joint project sponsored by area churches in labor and in financial contribution. The churches involved: Holy Mother of Consolation, St John’s, High Point Church, Community of Life Lutheran, People’s United Methodist, St Andrew/William Catholic Church, and Hillcrest Bible Church.
The other two homes, as well as two previous homes, were sponsored by Thrivent Financial for Lutheran. Other major financial sponsors included the Union Bank and Trust in Brooklyn and the State Bank of Cross Plains.
The group has taken a break since completion of the quad-plex in May of 2010.
The volunteer group that worked on the home in Brooklyn in 2005.
Habitat volunteer and one of the founders of the Oregon-Brooklyn satellite chapter, Marcy Worzala.
Habitat for Humanity float in 2005 Summer Fest parade.
Duplex built on Dunn Avenue in 2006.
Habitat homeowner Tessa Brady and her family.
Habitat homeowners Jim and Nicole Jackson and their family.
Second duplex completed on Dunn Avenue, 2007.
Habitat homeowners Lisa Skolaski and her family and Caitlin Szudy and her family
Architect's visualization of the Habitat for Humanity quad-plex completed in 2008.
