Karla describes her partnership with Lakeshore Habitat as a “turning point for the future...ensuring a healthy and stable life for my children.”

Karla Schackow describes the path between her broken marriage and the present as a long and difficult one.  While she had once been a daycare provider in order to supplement her family’s income, Karla entered the working world to find only temporary and part-time positions.  She had to rent an apartment which was both unsafe and too small for her family of four.  Through it all, Karla persevered in order to provide stability for her sons.

During her divorce, Karla began attending Harderwyk Church.  She says that she found great strength and peace through being a part of this church family.  She also got connected with the Neighbors Plus program which provided her with financial counseling and transitional housing.  Those two connections along with full-time employment put Karla in a position to qualify as a partner with Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity.  

Garrett (17), Jimmy (10), and Matthew (8) all attend West Ottawa Public Schools.  They enjoy baseball, football and reading.