The Swenson Extreme Makeover®

Erik and Vicki Swenson are both teachers and coaches in the suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota. One year ago, they were a family of three. Within a year, they gave birth to twins and moved their four nieces and nephews into their home after their mother, Vicki's sister, was murdered.

Vicki took this tragedy and has tried to turn it into an opportunity to help protect women and children from becoming victims of domestic violence. She has helped write two bills that are expected to pass legislation. Both will hopefully save many lives.
Recently, the Swenson’s have found out they are expecting another child. Within a year, this family of 3 has grown to a family of 9 and now soon to be 10.

Although the Swenson's home is nice, it is way too small. They are asking the extreme team for an old fashioned renovation. Adding on to their existing home will give this family the space and security they need to grow into a family of 10.

On September 22, 2006 the lives of Teri Lee's four children and her sister, Vicki Seliger Swenson's family changed forever. In the early morning hours, Teri Lee's ex-boyfriend, whom she had a restraining order against, broke into the family's home and fatally shot Lee and her boyfriend. The children, who lost their father in a car accident a few years before, were home at the time. Lee's then 11-year old daughter witnessed the shootings. Police found her two young sons cowering in a closet. While the children were not physically harmed, they were left with deep emotional scars that will likely last a lifetime.

Lee's sister, Vicki Seliger Swenson and her husband, Erik, both school teachers, adopted the four children and brought them into their three bedroom home. With three children of their own and another on the way, the Swenson-Lee family has doubled in less than a year and is now swelling out of their house. However, that will soon change thanks to TJB Homes, Inc. and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
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Teri Lee did everything she could to protect herself and her family from her abusive ex-boyfriend. She got a restraining order, alerted police, neighbors and teachers of the situation. She even installed a state-of-the-art alarm system. As a result of her death, Lee's sister, Vicki Seliger Swenson has fought tirelessly to call attention to the issues facing victims of domestic violence and has helped pass legislation that would protect them from the same fate as her sister. She played a key role in getting a bill passed in the state of Minnesota that would require a picture on all restraining orders making it easier for victims to alert others what the offender looks like. Another bill she has worked on addresses domestic violence training.

QUICK FACTS:

• Swenson's new home will be 5,600 square feet, 7 bedrooms, 5 baths
• Cabinets, windows, fixtures and all other salvageable parts from the original home will be donated to help other families in need
• On average, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in this country every day (Bureau of Justice Statistics Crime Data Brief)
• 30% of Americans say they know a woman who has been physically abused by her husband or boyfriend in the past year (Lieberman Research Inc. Tracking Survey)
• Studies suggest between 3.3 and 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence a year (Carlson, Bonnie E. (1984). Children's observations of interpersonal violence.)
  
  

Meet The Swenson-Lee Family Members

• Vicki, Mom, Teacher - Family and Consumer Sciences, Head Volleyball Coach, "Coach of the Year" - Sec. 53A in 2005.
  Helped write 2 bills to protect victims of Domestic Violence. Both signed and included into a Public Safety bill signed on May 7th, 2007.
• Erik, Dad, History Teacher (World Studies), Head Football Coach, loves to sing and play guitar.
• Samantha, Daughter - 10 years old, 4th grade.
• Stella, Daughter - Twin 18 months.
• Olivia, Daughter - Twin 18 months.
• Baby-on-the-way Eva "Lynn" (after late-sister), Daughter, Due Nov. 5th!
• Taylor, Niece - 12 years old, 7th grade.
• Tyler nicknamed "Ty", Nephew - 10 years old, 4th grade.
• Trevor, Nephew - 8 years old, 2nd grade.
• Tara, Niece - 6 years old

Extreme Makeover Home Edition

The Swenson-Lee Family

Schedule

Day 1 - August 21, 2007

DOOR KNOCK - The Swenson-Lee Family hears Ty calling their name GOOD MORNING SWENSON-LEE FAMILY! After meeting the design team the family will meet TJB Homes' Tom Budzynski and staff. The family builder who steeped up to the challenge to help another family. The clock is ticking and the Swenson-Lee Family are sent away via limousine for a week vacation to relax and dream about what their new dream home will be and what special designs the EMHE team will come up with for them.

Day 2 - August 22, 2007

Time to clean house! All personal belongings are pack and stored for the Swenson-Lee Family. TJB Homes is making final preparations to BUILD THIS HOME!

Day 3 - August 23, 2007

A sea of Blue follows TJB's charge to the 100th EMHE challenge! Some short speeches later and we're ready for action. Today they will totally demolish the home and haul it away. Excavators work to carve the new elevations and foundations will be poured. After the footings set, the concrete walls will be poured.

Day 4 - August 24, 2007

After the foundation sets the carpenters will go to work setting up walls and floors. Heating and electric are roughed in. By the end of the day if all goes according to plan the roof will be on ready to be shingled!

Day 5 - August 25, 2007

Inside the sheet rock is being added while outside the incredible landscaping is underway. Flooring is underway. Painting begins.

Day 6 - August 26, 2007

Paint, paint and more paint. Here comes the kitchen!

Day 7 - August 27, 2007

Interior finishes are done. Landscape being finished. We built it! Turn over the keys and let the design team decorate!

Day 8 - August 28, 2007

Finishing details are done along with final cleaning. MOVE THAT BUS!

The Current Home Was -

            2 Story 

            3 Bedrooms 

            2.5 Bathrooms 

            2,300 Square feet 

            Lot is ( .7 acre)

"Stio Roofing Was fast, Professional and very Competitive with their pricing. Thanks again, and I will send any future business your way"

R Swedeen - Ramsey, MN

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