Community Corner

Groundbreaking Marks Start of New Life for Waukesha County Family

Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha County helping family from Eagle own a home in Waukesha.

The Lorman children were getting a start on building their new home before the official groundbreaking ceremony had concluded.

Off to the side, enjoying their Saturday morning outside at the site of their new home, they were digging in the dirt and moving a few rocks. They made themselves right at home while they will grow up in Waukesha.

Their parents, James and Katie, were smiling in front of a large group of community supporters at the groundbreaking ceremony for their new home. The Lormans were selected from more than 25 applicants to move into a new Habitat for Humanity home.

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"It is extremely overwhelming, extremely surreal," said James Lorman. "It is still surreal even though we are ready to start this. It is just unbelievable."

The Lormans will work on the house, as well as many volunteers from Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha County, which is located at the site of the former YWCA, which was razed last year. James Lorman said he is no stranger to hard work and will enjoy working to build his new home.

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Ed Matthews from Thrivent Financial said during the groundbreaking ceremony that the organization will provide about 65 percent of the funding and also half the volunteers to complete the new house.

The old YWCA site, has been closed since 2004, is being redeveloped into affordable housing. The city Waukesha purchased the property in 2009 with federal grant money. Habitat for Humanity purchased a lot from the city for $1 – the going rate for the redevelopment project – and began soliciting applications.

Meanwhile, the Lormans are living in a trailer home in Eagle, all seven of them, including Jena, 11, Joey, 10, Emily, 7, Michael, 4, and Oliver, 1. James Lorman said his sister, Melissa Lorman, told him he should apply with Habitat for Humanity. So he did and started speaking with the organization as he went through the application process.

"All of a sudden, one day they brought us flowers and said 'You guys are getting a house,'" James Lorman said. "It is like, holy cow, but my sister started this whole thing. ... She actually deserves a credit."

The soon-to-be Waukesha residents will be moving in when the house is completed, which is projected to be by the end of this year. The family is looking forward to living in the neighborhood with Bethesda Park and the Waukesha Public Library within walking distance.

Especially the oldest three girls – Jena, Joey and Emily.

"My girls read five books a week," James Lorman said. "They are going to love that."


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