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Habitat for Humanity of Logan
County hosts launch for new home rehab project for the Denk family
[August 17, 2026]
On Sunday, August 9th, Habitat
for Humanity of Logan County hosted a launch celebration for a
rehabilitation project on a house that will soon become a new home
for Dakota and Kaitlin Denk and their three children Naomi, Nevaeh
and Joselyn. Those who follow the activities of the local Habitat
may recognize the house at 718 S. Madison as a Habitat house
previously built in partnership with the Lincolnland Technical
Education Center Building and Trades Class in 2021.
According to veteran board member Tonita Reifsteck, the homeowner
reached a point where she could no longer make the monthly mortgage
payments. She said that Habitat worked with the homeowner to try and
resolve some of the issues, but it just didn’t work out. While some
may believe that the homes are gifted to the recipients that is not
the case. Reifsteck said that the recipients go through extensive
counselling and budget training. Habitat self-finances the homes and
sets mortgage payments at an amount that is affordable for the
recipient. But sometimes, situations change and the only option is
to surrender the house back to Habitat.
During the ceremony Habitat Vice
President Jamie Voyles spoke about the home saying that the
structure was sound, plumbing and electrical were in good shape, the
air conditioner was working, and the heat would be checked as well.
He noted that there were doors that needed to be replaced and some
drywall issues that needed to be addressed. All of that will be
taken care of by Habitat volunteers as well as members of the Denk
family who are expected to put “sweat equity” into their home by
volunteering to work on the rehab as well as other Habitat
activities.
In addition to friends and family to the Denk’s and Habitat board
members, Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch was on hand along with aldermen
Tim Becke and Sam Downs.
Mayor Welch was the first to speak.
He said that he has long been a supporter of the work of Habitat for
Humanity, even prior to becoming mayor. He noted that during his
tenure as mayor, he has been active in helping HFH find properties
within the city that could be built upon or refurbished to provide a
home for deserving families.
Becke spoke saying that he too was familiar with Habitat for
Humanity and he had a keen understanding and appreciation for the
volunteers that invest in each home. He noted that there were no
small jobs in the effort, be it something one might consider minor
to something quite large, every task performed by volunteers brought
the project together. He encouraged continued volunteerism.
Downs accentuated the first two
comments, saying he also appreciated the effort and understood that
it was a great deal of work to provide a good home for families. He
ended by saying he supported all the efforts of HFH.
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The next item on the program was
scripture reading by the Denk’s pastor Ed Tibbits. He did several
readings, all of which spoke to helping our neighbors and not being
selfish with our material possessions.
At each home dedication there are several litanies recited. The
first of those was the Litany of Purpose, then the Litany of
Promise, both led by Voyles.
Laura Sandrolini then introduced
the family, Kaitlyn Denk and her daughters Naomi, Nevaeh and Joslyn
were present for the ceremony. It was then the Denk’s responsibility
to lead the Litany of Hope.
This was followed by the Litany of
Faith led by board member Carrie Osborne and the Unison Prayer.
Kaitlyn spoke briefly saying that
she and Dakota had always been hard workers who held down jobs, but
it felt like they were burdened with streaks of bad luck. The couple
could not get far enough ahead to build good credit that would have
allowed them to purchase a home. She said that rent was expensive
and that the promise of a new home and a mortgage financed by
Habitat could not have come at a better time for the family. She
added that she had applied for a home several times in the past but
had just never given up on the hope that someday her family would be
selected.
The day ended with closing prayer offered by Tibbits. Guests were
then encouraged to do a walk-through of the house in its current
condition while enjoying cookies and other treats set up in the
kitchen area.
Habitat for Humanity will host a second celebration and hand over
the keys to the new home when all the work has been completed.
[Nila Smith]
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