Volunteer Group Repairs Home They Built 20 Years Ago

In 2024, a volunteer group from St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church helped rehab a home in St. Paul. You may already know that volunteers help build and rehab houses for Habitat homeowners. But what’s unique about this project is that a crew from St. Andrew’s built the very same house in 2002. Two decades later they returned to prepare the home for a new Habitat family! To get the full story, let’s go back to 1992.

It all began when Vicky Henry, a college student and church member, volunteered on a build site and encouraged others to get involved. The next year, volunteering with Habitat became an active project for the congregation. Each year, the scope and involvement increased.

Dave Engh, a volunteer who worked on both projects, reflects: “In 1993, we did a three-day intensive. It only grew from there. By the time I retired in 2002, we were ready to do a whole house. St. Andrew’s funded and volunteered for the whole project. With 250 volunteers, including meal providers and site hosts, we built the house in seven weeks.”

The St. Andrew's group and Habitat house from 2002.

Fast forward to present day, and the children of the Habitat homeowners were ready to continue their parents’ legacy. Both parents had since passed away and the kids had their own accommodations, so they sold their childhood home back to Twin Cities Habitat.

When Dave first learned of the opportunity to work on the same home his group built decades ago, he was excited to learn more. After meeting with a volunteer coordinator to discuss options, they decided to recruit 80 to 90 people from St. Andrew’s to work on a summer project, including a dozen from a Regular Crew. So, during the summer of 2024, Dave’s group—made up of newer volunteers and about 10 from the original build—eagerly contributed to the rehab.

The St. Andrew's group volunteering in 2024.

“It’s gratifying to see how a family was able to help the next generation into success, in part because of a Habitat home. That’s a big deal,” says Dave. “It’s interesting to see what you built. All things considered, it’s in good shape. We just brought the home up to current building standards and made some updates like new paint, siding, and flooring.”

For volunteers from St. Andrew’s, volunteering with Twin Cities Habitat is a way to make a difference, put faith into action, and even learn skills they can use in their own homes. If your group is curious about getting involved, Dave suggests volunteering with Twin Cities Habitat as a way to make an impact.

“This is an excellent way to make a long-lasting difference. The difference you make can be seen right away, but it also lasts for a long time," he explains. "There are tangible results, like a house that didn’t exist before and transformation that impacts generations.”

Explore volunteer opportunities today! No experience needed—just a willingness to learn and a passion to make a difference.