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Here is our Hope Village February 2026 Newsletter. We hope you enjoy it!

Hope Village Quarter Auction Update

Sharing a quick update about our upcoming Hope Village Quarter Auction (Quarters for a Cause). This special fundraiser invites participants to bid on generously donated theme baskets, raising critical support for the mission of Hope Village. We have already received a wonderful number of baskets from local businesses, community members, organizations, and volunteers—thank you! We could still use a few more, and we would be incredibly grateful if additional folks would consider putting together a themed basket for the event. If you are willing to help, please bring your completed basket to the Hope Village Community Center (1825 Kennedy Road in Chippewa Falls) by February 20.Your generosity and creativity truly make a difference, and we appreciate your continued support of this important fundraiser. If you are unable to do a basket we are looking for basket fillers. So, items would be looking for are. Wine, Booze, Beer, candy, chips, fun games, puzzles, blankets, candles, coffee mugs or gift card to your favorite store. You can drop your items off at A to Z Embroidery & Screen Printing or at Hope Village. Thank  you so much for considering! We thank those who donated the baskets in the photo - Eevy Ivy Over, Five Star Dairy, Dave and Mary Olson, and several anonymous community member.

Thank you, Volume One!

See the Volume One article here.

'2026 is going to be a wild ride'; Hope Village looks towards future while celebrating the past 10 years

See the WQOW story here!

We're totally stoked about our Quarter Auction sponsors!

We're totally stoked about our Quarter Auction sponsors, whether they've ponied up a cool $1000 as a Major Sponsor or spent their precious time and energy crafting a raffle basket for us. We've got some amazing baskets up for grabs, including a set of 3 custom made, custom painted ice fishing poles from Fishhead Rod Company that are totally off the hook!

Thank You CCF Bank!

We got a visit from our buddies at CCF Bank today. They threw us a paper party, and we're not mad about it. We blast through paper products like they're going out of style. If you stockpiled TP back in 2020 and have moved on to collecting something new, think of us. Nicole and Chase thank the rest of your team too!

Interested in funding a night of emergency shelter/lodging during this weather?

Hope Village continues mission of helping people find stable housing.

You have to admire these two young ladies. Take a listen here.

Tiny House Guest Sam’s Story

Samantha, who goes by Sam, was raised as an Air Force brat in England. Her family moved often, and that sense of constant motion followed her throughout her life. Sam, now 72, has high-functioning autism, which has never held her back from living a full and meaningful life. She has one son, whom she loves dearly, who lives back in England. Recently, Sam received a new cell phone, something that has brought her great joy because she can now call her son anytime she wants. She also has a brother in England who is very ill and currently hospitalized and having the ability to stay connected with him has meant everything to her.

What brought Sam to Hope Village Tiny Houses began with the breakdown of her 26-year marriage. Sam and her ex-husband, who also has autism, had been living in an apartment in Eau Claire but decided to buy a home together to have more personal space. The house they purchased was located in Stanley, in Chippewa County. Over time, her ex-husband’s mental illness worsened, and he refused to take his medication. Their relationship became increasingly unstable, and the couple divorced, remarried, and eventually divorced again.

As Sam’s mental health began to decline, she knew something had to change. The house in Stanley was put up for sale and sold very quickly. However, once the remaining mortgage and debts were paid off, there was little money left. With no savings and no stable place to go, Sam suddenly found herself alone and without a place to live.

Sam called everywhere she could think of, but every shelter was full. Eventually, someone suggested she try the Tiny Houses in Chippewa Falls.

“Thank God I was able to get into a Tiny House at Hope Village,” Sam said. “But Hope Village doesn’t allow animals, so I had to leave my two cats behind. I was so sad, and I still get upset when I think about leaving them.”

“The best thing about living in the Tiny House is that everyone here is so kind,” Sam shared. “It has been over a month now, and I am so thankful and glad to be here. I feel so safe. Everyone is wonderful. It’s like there is no fear — it feels like living on another planet. I feel free because, though I am homeless, I am not a tramp. The community guidelines give me a sense of safety and security. I feel supported, filled with hope, and in high spirits.”

At one point before coming to Hope Village, Sam had been living at a homeless shelter, an experience she describes as dreadful and difficult. Today, life looks very different. “Being here, I have two sweet lady mentors who encourage and care about me, and I just love them,” she said.

One of Sam’s goals is to secure permanent housing again. She is currently number six on the housing waiting list and remains hopeful.

Sam is passionate about writing and previously served as a newsletter editor. She finds joy and connection through her involvement in a library group and enjoys writing poems and short stories as a creative outlet.

Thanks Chippewa Valley Technical College!

Hats off to these MLK day superheroes from Chippewa Valley Technical College who traded their day off for dust bunnies! Our spring clean is done, and we're feeling pretty smug about it!

Indianhead Apartments Conversion

Construction will officially begin on February 23, 2026, and the transformation will be underway. If you drive by, you’ll see Community Development Block Grant signage posted and demo crews busy removing flooring, Sheetrock, roofing, doors, windows, and bathroom fixtures. It’s a little noisy and a lot dusty...but it’s progress.

Over the next 100 days or so, local contractors will be on site daily installing new windows, doors, siding, and metal roofing, along with repairing sidewalks and the parking lot. Inside, units will receive insulated walls (for soundproofing), new flooring, plumbing fixtures, kitchen cabinets, and appliances. We are hopeful the project will be completed by the end of June.

Because the units vary in size, rents will vary as well, but none will exceed HUD affordable housing guidelines. We are currently accepting applications. To request information or an application, visit:
https://www.hopevillagechippewafalls.org/contact/

Prior to construction, we spent several months meeting federal BABA (Buy America, Build America) requirements….which involved extensive documentation and compliance work. In August 2025, Rocket Construction was selected as the winning bidder (a name we took as a good sign). Plans were developed and approved in partnership with Kristy Schneider of Evolve Architecture.

We purchased the property in March 2025 for $880,000 after negotiations that brought the price to a level we could support. Katie Warner, 2026 Hope Village Board President and Realtor, generously donated her commission back to Hope Village.

This opportunity began in early 2024 when CDBG funds became available after another municipality returned them to the state. After initially being told the motel was not for sale, the conversation reopened — proving that persistence pays off.

Thank You for Your Beautiful Gift of Quilts!

Thank you to the incredible group of women from the Sand Creek area who so generously donated these beautiful handmade quilts. Your compassion, craftsmanship, and commitment to helping others truly shine through in every stitch.Knowing that more than 30 women gather every Monday to create quilts for those in need is deeply inspiring. The fact that you make nearly a thousand quilts each year—using mostly donated fabric and materials—and share them both locally and internationally is a remarkable gift to communities near and far.These quilts provide far more than warmth; they offer comfort, dignity, and a tangible reminder that someone cares. Please know how deeply grateful we are for your generosity and for the countless hours you give to serve others.Thank you for making such a meaningful difference in the world—one quilt at a time.

Hope Village Way Apartments

We were thrilled to complete the first 10 homes at Hope Village Way in summer 2025. Leasing interest was strong, and nine of the ten units were filled right away—an exciting milestone for our community and a clear reminder of the need for affordable housing.

One three-bedroom home is still waiting for the right family. We began 2026 hopeful, having worked with three interested and well-qualified households. Unfortunately, changing circumstances prevented each from moving forward. The primary challenge has been the limited availability of local Section 8 vouchers, which has narrowed options for families who would otherwise be a great fit. We remain optimistic that as the year progresses, additional vouchers will become available and this home will soon be filled with new beginnings.

Meanwhile, we are preparing for what’s next. Just before Thanksgiving 2025, we submitted a second American Rescue Plan HOME RHD grant application to support the construction of 16 additional apartments at Hope Village Way. Since then, we’ve worked through four rounds of review with the Department of Energy, Housing, and Community Resources—each step moving us closer to a decision. We responded to the most recent questions in early February and are hopeful this was the final round, with an initial award determination expected by mid- to late March.

If awarded, this next phase would include two six-plex buildings with a mix of two- and three-bedroom apartments, along with two duplexes offering four one-bedroom units—expanding housing options for households of many sizes. Our goal would be to begin construction in early summer and complete the project by late fall 2026.

We’re grateful for the strong start at Hope Village Way and encouraged by the potential to grow. Thank you for being part of the momentum that makes projects like this possible.

Thank you P.E.O. Chapter BF and the P.E.O. Sisterhood H.E.L.P. Fund!

We're totally stoked to give a huge shoutout to the fabulous young ladies of P.E.O. Chapter BF in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and the P.E.O. Sisterhood H.E.L.P. Fund (Helping Everyone Live Purposefully) for their awesomely generous support through a grant from the Sarah Shinn Marshall Fund. This donation was the icing on the cake, allowing us to secure a push-behind snow and dust broom that's been a total rockstar in keeping our sidewalks snow-free. And when the seasons change, it'll be the MVP of spring cleaning, sweeping away all that pesky sand used for winter traction. We're seriously grateful for this ridiculously amazing investment in our community and the lasting impact it'll have.

We want to thank our financial contributors for this past month

In Memory Of

Boschen, Henry & Barbara IMO James Heian
Community Foundation of Chippewa Valley M & J Employee impact fund
King, CW & Mary Ann IHO Ken & Shirley Froelich
Klitzke, Robert & Gayle IHO Boyer birthdays
Knutson, Dennis IMO James Heian

Heartfelt Appreciation!

Once again, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to several of our Hope Village supporters who generously donated these baskets for the February 28 Quarter Auction. Greg and Kelly Misfeldt - Wine Night and Brandy Night Baskets; Kay Seckora - Local Gift Card Assortment; Tami Jungerberg/Younger Mountain Boutique - A Little Bit of Everything; Love Your Dog Basket - Tina Theisen/Hope Village Property Manager/REMAX Real Estate Group; NuSkin Products - Gina Caldwell; Movie Night Basket - Micon Theatre THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

Old Fashioned Friday Nights

Lisa and her crew at Schuetzy are getting their creative juices flowing. Schuetzy's is serving up a side of friendly vibes, community shenanigans, and classic tavern grub like burgers and sandwiches - all for the low, low price of cash only, baby. It's located in the old Charlies at Lawlers building, where the good times roll with karaoke, themed nights, and charity events. Atmosphere: Imagine your buddy's basement, but better, with wheelchair accessibility and a community that's all about good times. Offerings: Beer, simple cocktails, and grub that'll stick to your ribs - burgers and sandwiches, duh. Events: Karaoke, Old Fashioned Friday Nights, and the infamous Gobble Wobble charity event - you know, for a good cause. Payment: Cash only, folks, so don't even think about whipping out that credit card. History: Schuetzy's Tavern has been bringing the noise since 2018, taking over the old Charlies at Lawlers spot and making it their own.

Mentors Needed

Menard’s Rebates

Looking for an easy way to support Hope Village?

Do you have Menards receipts? We collect them and apply for the rebates. Feel free to mail us your receipts, or your unused rebates. We have friends that send in their rebate forms and have the rebates sent directly to us!! We have installed a mail box near our front door to deposit these items into.

Various churches in the area also collect rebates for us too. This was the brain child of Diane Bergquist. Those rebates come in handy when we purchase construction materials but they also come in handy for purchasing cleaning supplies.

Interested in volunteering?

1. Building and Maintenance Team

Responsibilities: Maintaining and repairing our property, tiny houses, and community center.

Tasks: Weekly “To-Do” lists include various jobs, from minor repairs to more substantial projects.

Time Commitment: Flexible, ranging from 20 minutes to a few hours.

2. Cleaning, Stocking, and Inventory Team

Responsibilities: Ensuring cleanliness and restocking of tiny houses for new guests.

Collaboration: Works closely with the Stocking and Inventory teams.

Training: New members receive guidance from experienced volunteers.

3. Community Center Staffing Team

Responsibilities: Opening and overseeing the community center from 6 am to 10 pm.

Perks: You can read, craft, or use our Wi-Fi during your two-hour shifts.

4. Fundraising Team

Responsibilities: Planning fundraising activities and supporting events.

Opportunities: Joining our annual Quarter Auction and partnering with local organizations for fundraising.

5. Grant Writing Team

Responsibilities: Seeking and writing grants for general expenses and affordable housing development.

Requirement: Grant writing experience needed.

6. Guest Support Team

7. Housing Search Team

Responsibilities: Helping guests find safe and affordable housing.

Activities: Assisting with applications, rental resumes, and maintaining a rental list.

8. Donation Collection and Resale Team

Responsibilities: Collecting donations and selling items online.

Acquisitions: Collect items from estate sales on Monday mornings.

Contribution: Preparing items for sale and donating unsalable items.

9. Mentor Team

A Hope Village Mentor is a trained volunteer who provides guidance, accountability, and encouragement to guests, supporting their progress toward stable housing and self‑sufficiency through consistent communication, goal support, and connection to resources.

Involvement: Daily contact with guest, in person weekly meetings with guest and navigator, and event/classes support.

10. Promotional and Outreach Team

Responsibilities: Educating the public about Hope Village through website maintenance, newsletters, and storytelling.

Collaborations: Works closely with other teams to promote events.

Meetings: Monthly virtual meetings, with tasks assigned and worked on independently.

11. Resale Store Staffing Team

The Hope Village Resale Store team is seeking volunteers to help us expand our hours of operation. Currently, the store is open one day per week, and with your support, we hope to increase that to three or more days. Volunteers will staff the store during open hours, assist customers with questions about merchandise, and handle purchases. By joining this team, you’ll play a key role in supporting Hope Village while helping community members discover quality, affordable items.

12. Volunteer Organization Team

Responsibilities: Managing and coordinating volunteers, communicating team needs, and conducting background checks.

Additional Roles: Organizing small teams, like the grass mowing team.

Maintenance: Maintains a master list of volunteers.

Click Here to Volunteer!

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If you want to stay in the loop about what is happening at Hope Village and meet some of our amazing volunteers join our Facebook Page! https://www.facebook.com/hopev...