When Yer Lee and her family were selected to purchase a Habitat for Humanity home, they were overjoyed.
Living in an overcrowded home led Lee and her two adult sons, Somboon and Joe, to apply for a Habitat housing opportunity. Lee and her two sons have been living with a third son, along with his wife and their six kids. With 11 people sharing a four-bedroom home, space has grown tight.
Lee was born in Laos and became disabled as a young girl. After fleeing her country during the Vietnam War, she spent 14 years in a refugee camp before immigrating to the United States. Lee came to the country as a single mother with four small children.
Through it all, Lee kept her children safe and fed, even if they didn’t have much money and lived in solely low-income housing. The family’s acceptance into the Habitat for Humanity program marks a joyous milestone.
The Lee family’s story is one of countless that illustrates the connection between housing and health and well-being.
Fighting for Healthy Housing
ThedaCare’s lifeinspired™ movement is dedicated to creating a healthier future for all. Through the movement, ThedaCare encourages people to take positive steps for their health and well-being. But it also goes beyond that.
In addition to addressing food insecurity through events in 2023 and 2024, ThedaCare is embarking on its second annual series of “Inspired to Fight for Healthy Housing” events. They’re aimed at expanding access to safe, stable, affordable housing for community members.
As part of that, ThedaCare team members will join the Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity in building a home in Fox Crossing for the Yer-Thao family. Over the course of four months, team member volunteers will step up as build crew members, site hosts, and meal providers.
Projects Throughout the Region
In addition to the Fox Cities home, ThedaCare is helping out with projects in other areas. They include:
- Outdoor improvements at Mission of Hope House in New London
- Indoor and outdoor work at a substance use disorder recovery home in Waupaca
- A Habitat for Humanity home build in Gresham
- Home updates for a Berlin area resident in need
“Throughout the next several months, team members will be truly living our mission as part of ThedaCare’s ‘Inspired to Fight for Healthy Housing’ system-wide volunteer initiative,” says Jean Blaney McGinnis, Employee Volunteer Program Specialist for ThedaCare. “From building homes to making improvements to transitional living facilities to helping with landscaping upkeep, team members will be lending a hand.”
Beyond Traditional Health Care
You may wonder how housing connects to health. Most of us know the importance of eating well, exercising, going to the doctor for routine care, and managing stress.
It’s true that these are all vital components of health and well-being. At the same time, many other factors also play a role. One of those is access to housing.
As a health care organization, ThedaCare is dedicated to providing high-quality, close-to-home care. We also recognize that we have to go beyond traditional health care to help communities and individuals thrive. That’s where efforts including “Inspired to Fight Hunger” and “Inspired to Fight for Healthy Housing” come in.
Social Determinants of Health
Estimates show that 80% to 90% of health outcomes stem from what happens outside the walls of hospitals and clinics. That’s why it’s crucial to address non-medical health factors, often called social determinants of health.
Examples of social determinants of health include:
- Safe housing, transportation, and neighborhoods
- Racism, discrimination, and violence
- Education, job opportunities, and income
- Access to nutritious foods and physical activity opportunities
- Polluted air and water
- Language and literacy skills
As a population health organization, ThedaCare is dedicated to helping address these social determinants of health.
“Where we live is at the core of our daily lives,” Blaney McGinnis says. “We know that having a safe place to call home has a significant impact on one’s health.”
