Our Story
Northwoods Living Hope
The History of Northwoods Living Hope as it appears today has come from two forks in the road, meeting and joining together to become what is the present day Northwoods Living Hope Women’s Shelter and Maternity Home.
In the beginning...
Origins
In 2018, Pastor Larry Tenut of Anchor of Truth Church in Phillips, WI, had a vision to serve the community of Price County Wisconsin and the surrounding Northwoods. His vision included being the hands and feet of Jesus by providing emergency shelter to people, who, for various reasons, had need of temporary housing.
In 2022, the church bought a building located in downtown Phillips, Wisconsin, and started the renovation process and hard work to develop secure apartments and a shelter. Individuals and other churches helped furnish and supply rooms in the building.
Enter Tammy Redetzke, who with her husband, Jeff, felt called to serve the Lord in the Price County area during that same timeframe. Tammy, seeking what the Lord would have for her in serving their new community, learned about what Anchor of Truth Church was developing and volunteered her services. Tammy had come from working with Shirley’s House of Hope Women’s Shelter in Marshfield, WI.
The shelter was opened in December of 2022 under the leadership of Pastor Larry, his wife, Beth, who served as Administrator, and Tammy Redetzke who served as Facilitator. The team was staffed entirely by volunteers and from 2022 to July of 2024, served the needs of 11 women, some with children. In July of 2024, a severe storm in Phillips caused major damage to the roof of the building, causing Northwoods Living Hope to close their doors while repairs were made. The shelter reopened briefly in January of 2025 and one resident was served for a short period of time in February of 2025 before the building was sold in March of 2025.
Family Contributions
The Home
Meanwhile, in 2022, Robert and Tamara Brandt had been praying about what to do with the house that they knew Tamara would inherit from her parents, Hallie and Art Fox of rural Phillips. In early May of 2022, Tamara received their answer from the Lord – “Use the home for a Maternity Home”. She excitedly shared that with Bob and he was equally excited about that direction for the house. Both of them had always desired to do something tangible to help women facing maternity crisis to choose life.
Tamara had the opportunity to share God’s answer with her parents before they went home to heaven. Hallie was very excited. She was not only fiercely pro-life, she was a lady who loved children and had a special place in her heart for mothers in need of help. Robert and Tamara knew when God gave them this vision, for it to come to fruition, God would need to provide the way.
Fast forward to 2024-2025. Tammy Redetzke was aware of Tamara’s desire to use the home for a maternity home. Northwoods Living Hope had discovered that a “home atmosphere” was preferable over an apartment building style shelter. The team reached out to the Brandt’s and a meeting was arranged to discuss the possibility of joining together to combine missions. Tamara and her husband spent time in prayer, researching whether a maternity home and an abuse shelter could be combined under the same roof. The conclusion was yes, it could be done. Meetings were held and work began in earnest. Tamara joined the Board of Directors, a new mission statement and focus was developed, and the ministry became a community, non-denominational mission.
The Brandt’s began the tremendous job of cleaning out Tamara’s family home, holding an online auction to benefit the remodeling that would need to take place to turn the home into a Women’s Maternity Home and Shelter. Remodeling started in August of 2025 and was completed in April of 2026, paving the way for the home to serve up to six ladies and children. The home itself is affectionately known as “Hallie’s House at Northwoods Living Hope”.
Northwoods Living Hope exists specifically to bring hope and help to women and their children, in maternity and domestic abuse crisis through rebuilt, renewed and restored lives. Our prayers include asking the Lord to provide for this new phase of the mission and the new leadership going forward. We know that He will provide and we ask for your prayers as well.
Online Giving
For where your treasure is, your heart will be also.
We are a 501(c)3 organization, and rely completely on tax-deductible donations from helpers like you. Your support directly helps women struggling through maternity, domestic abuse, or drug related crises by fostering a structured environment for them to rebuild their lives.