A new home is being built in Wadena by Habitat for Humanity and Thrivent Financial at 14 Birch NE, Wadena for the Connie Blessing family.

This new home is a result of a national alliance between Habitat for Humanity International and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Called Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity, this alliance has resulted in thousands of decent, affordable homes across the country since 2005.

The Blessing family is eager to finish construction of their new home. They will complete 200 hours or more of "sweat equity" helping to build it, a basic tenet of Habitat for Humanity. They will also repay the no-profit mortgage over a period of 30 years, illustrating Habitat for Humanity's objective to give families a "hand up" rather than a "hand out."

"Being able to help provide a family with a home means so much to Thrivent members," said Bob Mueller, area Thrivent representative "Volunteering is important to them, and this gives them a great way to personally support our community by helping families achieve financial security."