Our Mission
Habitat for Humanity International is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry with the goal of making decent, affordable housing available to every family worldwide. Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (RVHFH) is committed to achieving that goal in Somerset and Hunterdon counties.
Latest News
What’s all the Noise About? Kids Hammering for Habitat!
May 22, 2013
Do hammers and teachable moments go together? They certainly did when Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (RVHFH) teamed up with Home Depot to help the sons and daughters at Janssen Pharmaceuticals build birdfeeders. The kids of employees, ranging from 2nd to 5th grade, not only heard about how RVHFH works, building decent affordable homes for local families, they got to experience building something themselves to help out the locals, the local birds that is. Frustration and bent nails gave way to pride and smiles as the kids learned how to leverage gravity to drive nails and complete their own mini-construction project.
Immaculata High School Teen wins Mr. Habitat Contest, a Benefit for Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity
May 2, 2013
On Friday April 19th at the Bridgewater Commons Mall, a large crowd gathered for what promised to be a fun and unusual evening as two Somerset County high school students competed against other local teens for the coveted title of Mr. Habitat. The contestants competed in the categories of casual and formal wear, talent, and interview. The winner was the person that raised the most money for Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity, so in this contest, anything goes as they vie for audience attention and donations. At the end of the event Matthew Charneski, a senior from Immaculata High School, was crowned Mr. Habitat and the kids raised over $3,000 for the charity, thanks to the generosity of those attending the event.
New Patron Level Sponsor for Spring Event: Chubb
May 1, 2013
Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity is pleased to thank Chubb for their generous Patron level sponsorship of our Spring Event. Chubb has grown from a marine insurance underwriting business in 1882 to a leading, multibillion dollar, global property and casualty insurance firm. Chubb prides themselves on treating customers fairly and paying claims quickly. Thanks to Chubb for supporting our mission!
New Patron Level Sponsor for Spring Event: IBEW Local #102
April 11, 2013
Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity is pleased to thank IBEW Local #102 for their generous Patron level sponsorship of our Spring Event. Did you know IBEW Local #102 installed the solar power for our Bridgewater 9 home community? Watch a short video about it. Thanks to IBEW Local #102 and all they do for RVHFH!
Volunteer Spotlight – Elisa Maselli, Family Support
Like many people, Elisa Maselli reached a point in her life when she felt a strong motivation to give back to her community as a way of saying thank you for the good life she was enjoying. The part of Habitat’s mission that Elisa connected with is the stabilizing effect of home ownership on a family. “Home ownership sets a good example for the children of partner families when they see their parents succeeding, and being able to provide for their family. And it gives families a sense of pride and accomplishment.”
As luck would have it (for Elisa and for RVHFH) she learned what the Family Support Committee does at a “New Volunteer” meeting of RVHFH, and she was hooked! That was in 2008, and Elisa has been a dedicated member of the RVHFH family ever since. “I never really thought about the fact that families would need support in the process of becoming a homeowner.” RVHFH offers support to Partner Families on subjects like: budgeting, being a good neighbor, home maintenance, and landscaping.
Elisa feels that volunteering with RVHFH has helped her to become more patient. Accustomed to highly structured businesses, she’s learning that in volunteer organizations, peoples’ motivations for being there are very different from their motivations for being in a job. Elisa is learning to slow down and enjoy interacting with her fellow volunteers in ways that aren’t always possible in the business world because of overwhelming time pressures.
Elisa believes that you can make time to volunteer with an organization if you feel that you are contributing something of value, that your contribution is appreciated, and that you are aligned with the mission of the organization. And Elisa is clearly proud to be associated with RVHFH. “I believe we do good work, and I’m happy to help people realize their dreams of home ownership. There’s nothing like a House Dedication, cutting the ribbon, giving the family the key to the front door, and opening the house for its first celebration!”
Are you ready to help a new Partner Family realize their dreams of home ownership? Check out current volunteer opportunities with RVHFH.
Upcoming Events
July 15th – “Who Loves You?”: A Tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
7:00 p.m. – Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church. Tickets are $60 ($30 tax deductible as allowed by law). More details
