May 5, 2022

Partner Family Spotlight

Vogel Family

Kylee Vogel applied for Habitat for Humanity’s homeownership program in the Spring of 2021 in hopes of owning her first home and providing a safe place for her children. A mother of two children, Riley 16, Keegan 11,  and a foster parent to a 15 month-old, and a 9 week-old. Kylee became a foster parent in her twenties when a family friend who worked for the Department of Child Services talked about the need for foster families. Kylee mentioned that she would foster children, but she didn’t think she could because she was single. Once she learned that she could become a foster parent she began fostering right away.
 

To date, Kylee has fostered over 50 children, adopted two, is in the process of adopting her third, and fostering an infant. She wants to provide her children a home where they feel safe and have a space to play. Currently living in a three-bedroom apartment, she shared that her children have seen and heard things at the apartment complex that concern her. “I want to give them what I had growing up,” she shared. Kylee talked about her family and support system. She grew up in the Baugo Community Schools, with two older siblings, “My family has been a great support, my mom and sister, both help with my children.”
 

Kylee works forBaugo Community Schools as a Special Education Paraprofessional. She received her Associate's Degree from Vincennes University in Early Childhood Education. She applied for Habitat’s program earlier this year and was accepted into the program in late June. Working for the schools she has the summer months off, she quickly went to work on her 250 “sweat-equity” hours by volunteering on the Women Build home. In just two months, she reached 100 hours allowing her to choose her lot for her home. Plans to begin Kylee's home have begun and Habitat hopes to start this fall.
 

Kylee said she was surprised by how quickly homes are built, confessing that she knew nothing about construction but now enjoys it. She also appreciates the required homeownership and financial education classes, “I wish we had these classes in high school.” Kylee said she would encourage others to apply for the homeownership program, “Don’t give up on your dreams.”