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PAST NEWS

2011 NEWS

Habitat for Humanity International Announces
that Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity has been selected to participate in the Partners in Sustainable Building program this year, as they work to  build more sustainable homes in Somerset and Hunterdon counties. The Home Depot Foundation and Habitat for Humanity created the Partners in Sustainable Building program in 2008 to grant funding to local Habitat affiliates for small construction improvements that lead to big savings for our partner families.  As a PSB participant, Raritan Valley will receive a grant for each home certified under a recognized and approved sustainable building program.

Since the partnership began, the Partners in Sustainable Building program has helped more than  200 Habitat affiliates build sustainable homes across the United States, serving more than 2100 families in need of improved shelter.

Summer 2011 Newsletter

• Home...It's a Wonderful Blessing
• Nancy's Notes
• Heartfelt Thanks from Homeowner Celena Ulmer
• Raising Roofs!
• Raising Awareness
• Volunteers...the Heart & Soul of Habitat

Raritan Valley Habitat typically publishes a newsletter two times a year. This publication is mailed to our volunteer list as well as donors and the general public. The Newsletter highlights current activity, communicates progress in our building program and provides focus for volunteer efforts.

If you would like to be on our mailing list please send an email with your name & address to rvhfh@rvhabitat.org

Previous Newsletters:
Fall 2010 through Summer 2003

Mr. Habitat 2011 is Crowned!!!

Kyle Graham of Immaculata High School, pictured here with his escort, Maria Lopez, won the title of Mr. Habitat 2011 at the Bridgewater Commons event Friday night March 11th.

Total funds raised by the seven participating high schools was $2,515.50!!



All proceeds benefit:

 

Sponsored by:

  

Bonnie Brae Builders
Graduation Lunch!

Kathy Hoffman, an employee of Raritan Valley Habitat Humanity, and Sharon Singleton, a special education teacher at Bonnie Brae, who managed the Brae Builders program with RVHFH, prepared a celebration lunch on the Bridgewater RVHFH worksite recently.

The lunch - prepared and cooked by the Thigpen Family, a Habitat partner family - was for two Bonnie Brae youth, Andrew (fourth from right) and Carlos (not in picture), who are graduating from Bonnie Brae.

In addition, the group celebrated birthdays of Ms. Singleton and Bonnie Brae Builder Elijah (far right). Others getting ready to enjoy the feast include Ryan (third from left), Joshua, Angel (standing behind Andrew) and Armond (walking in the background).

The Thigpen House, one of nine being built by RVHFH and volunteers in Bridgewater, was dedicated on March 3.

2010 NEWS

Pam Ely To Be Honored by SCCOAH

On April 28th, the Somerset County Coalition on Affordable Housing (SCCOAH) will honor retiring RVHFH Executive Director Pam Ely for her “Outstanding Leadership and Vision in Affordable Housing”. For the last 18 years, this annual award has recognized individuals and organizations that have established themselves as leaders in promoting affordable housing in Somerset County. This is the second time Pam and her team have been recognized by SCCOA – in 2000, Raritan Valley HFH was honored as an organization for “Outstanding Achievement in Affordable Housing”.

In addition to Pam, this year’s honorees include Peapack-Gladstone Bank. Habitat homeowner Juanna James will be one of the speakers at the Awards Breakfast.

If you are interested in purchasing tickets for the Awards Breakfast on April 28th, please contact Sharon Clark at SCCOAH at 908.704.9649 or sccoah@verizon.net.

Please join us in congratulating Pam on this well-deserved award!

Somerset County Announces
Their "2010 Outstanding Women of the Year"

Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity Property Acquisition, Director Judy Ronzo will receive some well-deserved recognition in March when the Somerset County Commission on the Status of Women recognizes her as one of the Outstanding Women of Somerset County for 2010. Judy is being honored in the Social Services category for her dedication to helping more working families make their “American Dream” come true.

Please join us in congratulating Judy!

Executive Director Pam Ely
Announces Retirement

Dear Friends of Habitat,

Recently I made the decision to retire from the position of Executive Director of Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (RVHFH) in the first quarter of 2010.

I have had the joy and privilege of serving as part of our housing ministry for almost twenty years. My family has been patient and supportive of me and of Habitat throughout my tenure with the organization. Now, it’s time for me to join my husband in retirement and carve out some more time for my family.

The RVHFH Executive Committee is leading this transition process. Our intent is make this transition as seamless as possible by selecting a well qualified person who shares my passion for the mission of Habitat and who can lead and grow with our organization for many years into the future. I plan to stay very active until my successor is named and operational.

I am so proud of all of our achievements and for being part of Raritan Valley Habitat. I am proud of our staff, our Board of Trustees, our wonderful volunteers, our partner families and homeowners, and our supporting community. You can expect our mission, programs, commitment and enthusiasm to continue without pause or slowdown. We are well positioned to serve the growing need in our communities for affordable homes for hard working families.

During this time of transition, I ask for your continued support. I am so grateful, more than you can know, for your contributions to the work of Habitat. Thank you.

Very sincerely,

Pam Ely
Executive Director

2009 NEWS

Bridgewater:
Dutch Lane Site Dedication and
More Homes, More Hope Campaign Launch

Over 100 Habitat friends and supporters gathered on October 9th to raise the wall of a Habitat home and dedicate the site for the Dutch Lane Habitat community in Bridgewater. The Dutch Lane community is our largest project ever – nine families (including 26 kids!) will make their homes in this new Habitat neighborhood. Eight of the nine families were able to join in the celebration and express their enthusiasm to Habitat supporters and volunteers. Link to Video
 

The event also celebrated the public launch of the More Homes, More Hope Campaign, a fundraising effort designed to support the construction of 33 Habitat homes across Somerset and Hunterdon Counties. Governor Thomas Kean and Governor Christine Todd Whitman, Honorary Co-Chairs of the More Homes, More Hope Campaign, spoke at the celebration (seen in photo); then donned hard hats and joined Campaign Chair Judy Lewent, Congressman Leonard Lance, Bridgewater Mayor Patricia Flannery, and some three dozen other dignitaries and Habitat supporters in raising the wall of a Habitat home.

To see a video of the launch event, click here

To see photos of the event, click here

To learn more about the Bridgewater project, click here

To learn more about the More Homes, More Hope Campaign, click here
 

2009 Seeds of Hope Winners
Helping Women One House at a Time

Bridgewater’s Kathy Tanaka is the driving force behind Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity’s highly successful Women Build program. She helps empower women to learn construction skills and to help those in need of a home. She has motivated, advised and inspired more than 450 women, ensuring that every woman knows she has made a meaningful contribution to the life of a woman in need.

New Jersey Monthly, the state’s leading consumer magazine, reaffirms its commitment to the spirit of volunteerism as it announces the 2009 class of its Garden State Seeds of Hope award honorees.

The awards, which honor a variety of volunteers, recognize the contributions of a selfless group of people committed to volunteer efforts that benefit people in New Jersey.

A luncheon will be held at 11:30 AM on September 22nd at Crystal Plaza in Livingston to honor all the Garden State Seeds of Hope award recipients. The program is co-sponsored by PNC Wealth Management, Reno’s Appliance, and Crystal Plaza. Anyone interested in attending can call Beth Bressman, New Jersey Monthly’s Promotions Director, for more information. All proceeds from the luncheon will be donated to the honorees’ causes.

RVHFH Board President Honored
at the Bonnie Brae School’s Recent Graduation

In recognition and with tremendous gratitude, Bonnie Brae School honors
Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity
for the opportunity they provided during the 2008-2009 school year
for our eight students to partner with them in their service mission.

Our thanks to Pam Ely, Executive Director, for permitting this first time venture.

All of the Brae Builders wish to recognize
Dick Bedner, RVHFH President
for his time, leadership, patience and direction as well as all of the
volunteers who worked side by side wit them in mentoring roles.

Your care, talents and support have helped our students to prepare for
transition to the work world. You have touched the lives of so many.

Thank you from everyone at Bonnie Brae!

Habitat for Humanity Helping Franklin Woman Realize Her Dreams
by Mary Ann Bourbeau for MyCentralJersey.com
Tuesday June 9, 2009

Charisse Roberts looked out the window of the new home she was helping to build for herself along with volunteers for the Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity. "This is a dream I have always had," she told them. "I dreamed that I could stand at the sink washing dishes and watch my son playing in the backyard."

Roberts, 32, works as a credit and collections specialist and attends college at night, pursuing a bachelor's degree in psychiatric and rehabilitation treatment. She had planned on leaving New Jersey after she graduated college, thinking that was the only way she could afford a house for herself and her two children, 13-year-old Imani and 4-year-old Elijah. "A friend of mine told me about Habitat for Humanity," said the local resident. "She thought I would be a good candidate. I applied and after months of interviews, I was chosen. Now I get to stay in Jersey. I'm very excited and humbled at the same time." Her new dream is to open a teen center here, helping at-risk youth deal with social issues.

Since September, Roberts has worked side by side with Habitt, as well as friends, family, members of her church and community volunteers on the construction of the Clifton Street home. She will purchase the home with a zero-interest mortgage provided by Habitat. Roberts will be responsible for home maintenance and for monthly payments of principal, taxes, insurance and utilities. Mortgage payments are recycled to fund the construction of more houses. "This has been a real blessing for me," Roberts said. "So many people gave a lot of time and monetary donations, building a home for someone they don't even know. They just gave from their hearts."

Roberts' home is one of three Habitat homes here to be dedicated at the end of the month. A fourth home on Irvington Avenue will be completed by the fall. This will bring the total number of homes built in Somerset to 15. The 1,200-square-foot homes are modest, three bedroom ranches. Roberts put in more than 200 "sweat equity" hours working on the home and can't wait to finally move in. "The best part for me is having a backyard for my son," she said. "We've lived in an upstairs apartment for 10 years and I always have to tell him he can't run and jump. Now he'll have his own space."

Habitat for Humanity volunteers find the site, raise the funds and select a hard-working, low-income family for each new home. RVHFH, along with Lowe's, has hosted several Women-Build events, where area women help construct the homes. Former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman and her daughter Kate Whitman last month helped to build railings for porches as other crews were painting, tiling, landscaping and installing roof vents. Lowe's employees joined in and the company provided a $5,000 gift card to help pay for materials.

Roberts' home at 4 Clifton St. will be dedicated at 10 a.m. on June 27. The homes at 2 and 6 Clifton St. will be dedicated at 6:30 on June 25. For more information, visit www.rvhabitat.org.
 

Bachelorette party with a theme: "Women Build" Franklin home
by Veronica Slaght for The Star-Ledger
Monday June 08, 2009, 4:51 PM

From left: Bride-to-be Lisa VanDerMeiren, Maid of Honor Tina VanDerMeiren, Karen Izaguirre, Shannon Pak, Kate Mowll, Hannah VanDerMeiren and Kathy Ma pose in front of the house they helped build in the Somerset section of Franklin Township.

When most women imagine their bachelorette party, they don't envision themselves hammering nails, mixing cement and getting dirty. But that's exactly what bride-to-be Lisa VanDerMeiren did with her girlfriends and female relatives in Franklin Township, Somerset County, this spring.

Hard labor for charity might seem to most like an unusual concept for bachelorette party, but not for the 27-year-old Mount Holly resident. VanDerMeiren has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity since her days at Rancocas Valley High School, and for the past few years, she's even served on the Burlington County chapter's family selection committee, which chooses recipients for the homes.

The woman who will be living in the home -- a single mother with a daughter and a son -- was "building alongside of us," said VanDerMeiren. "She was showing us each room in the house, taking us on a tour." The frame had just gone up, so Lisa and her "party guests" were installing the outside portion of the house.

When asked if she'd recommend a Habitat for Humanity "build day" to other brides-to-be, VanDerMeiren said "absolutely." She added, "I was a little afraid that not everybody wanted to do a fundraiser or commit a whole day to building a house," but they all did.

VanDerMeiren's special bachelorette celebration caught the attention of NJ Bride magazine, which will be featuring a story on the build day in their summer issue, coming out this month. She thinks that's pretty cool. "I think it's so important to realize that there are other people who have needs," she said. "People don't realize that low-income people aren't lazy, they just can't afford to live in Somerset County, Hunterdon County."  Being able to own a home and raise a family in a nice neighborhood are opportunities everyone should have, said VanDerMeiren. "I think it's important for people to realize that and volunteer to help."

The particular program the bachelorette and her friends took part in is called Women Build.  According to Lisa Fielding at Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity, the program is underwritten by Lowe's and "strives to build simple, decent, affordable houses for local families in need." The homes are both funded and built by women.

In addition to the sweat contributed by VanDerMeiren and her friends and family, they also raised $5,317 for the Women Build house in Franklin. The home in the Somerset section of the township -- is the first Women Build project in the Raritan Valley, said Fielding.  The Raritan Valley chapter of Habitat for Humanity started fundraising for the home at the end of 2007, and now is just a few thousand dollars away from their $100,000 goal. More volunteers and additional funding are still needed to complete the house, but it's almost done, Fielding said. To sign up for the June 13 Women Build in Somerset, go online to www.rvhabitat.org.

VanDerMeiren said the Women Build program is a chance for women to get in there, "get their hands dirty and not be intimidated."  Her friends certainly weren't. One travelled from North Carolina on a Friday, spent the April weekend working on the house, and then drove back on Sunday.

Something VanDerMeiren said she's learned about Habitat is that the nonprofit doesn't just give out houses.  "They don't give hand outs," she said, "they give hands up." She added, "They want to enable people to contribute to the community rather than spending so much of their income on a rented apartment."  Fielding described Habitat as a "partnership program" where "RVHFH sells the finished home at cost and provides a no-interest mortgage to the new homeowner."

Maybe a day of carpentry isn't the traditional way for a bride-to-be to spend one of her last days of "freedom," but VanDerMeiren said, "We all had a great time."  VanDerMeiren is a chemist and her fiancé, Robert Craig, who lives in Lumberton, is a teacher at Perth Amboy High School.  The two first met at Rancocas Valley High School. But they were in different crowds, and Craig is two years older than his fiancé. Five years ago, they met again, this time at a bar in New Brunswick, where both attended Rutgers University. They hit it off when they learned they both like to play tennis.  A few games of tennis later, the couple is planning to wed on Saturday.

What comes after the wedding? A post-wedding build, of course.

Rutgers Master Gardeners of Somerset and Hunterdon Counties Landscape RV Habitat for Humanity Homes
by Patti Sapone for The Star-Ledger 
Saturday May 30, 2009 at 4:31 PM

One of the Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity homes landscaped by Rutgers Master Gardeners of Somerset and Hunterdon Counties in Franklin Twp.

This photo is part of the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Somerset and Hunterdon Counties landscape Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity homes gallery

 

2008 NEWS

Another 4 ENERGY STAR Homes Built in 2008

By building ENERGY STAR qualified homes, RVHFH is doing its part to help protect the environment while offering consumers new homes that are more comfortable and save money on utility bills.

This is equivalent to:

• Eliminating the emissions from 1.96 vehicles

• Saving 11,856 lbs of coal

• Planting 3.24 acres of trees

• Saving homeowners $1,788 on their utility bills

ENERGY STAR thanked RVHFH for the important contribution that your organization has made to energy-efficient construction and environmental protection.

Anne LaPlante - WINNER OF THE BERMUDA CRUISE RAFFLE!

Winning ticket was drawn April 26th at this year's Spring Dinner Dance
"Moonlight Flamenco". Anne and Ed LaPlante of Skillman are the lucky winners
of the Raffle Prize and will enjoy a 5-night Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas
cruise for two to the beautiful, sunny, pink sand shores of Bermuda.

Photo (l-r):
Lisa Fielding, Community Relations Manager
with lucky winner Anne LaPlante

25^th Anniversary Somerset County
2007 Annual Planning & Land Development Awards
In the past 25 years Somerset County has recognized projects that have served as examples of outstanding and innovative developments and planning efforts.  It is hoped that these projects will inspired citizens, developers, governmental leaders and planners to promote sound land development and planning for years to come.

Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (RVHFH) is proud to have received the 2007 award
for the Residential Category for the Bernardsville Habitat for Humanity Homes. 

Supported by many individual, corporate and community volunteers, RVHFH built four modest, affordable homes in a Bernardsville neighborhood consisting of a mix of residential and commercial buildings.  Each home is 1,178 square feet in size. RVHFH faced several constraints at this challenging site including its location on a busy thoroughfare and a steep-slope covering roughly half of the property. 

 The houses are situated at the front of the property in conformance with the existing line of the neighborhood.  A common driveway creates a small neighborhood appearance for the homes with an easement across the front of the shared parking providing adequate off-street parking for the homeowners and a play area for the children.  Each two-story house sits over a garage.  To not only enhance the appearance of the homes but also provide additional living space for the families, a wooden staircase leads to a second floor front porch extending across the entire attached structure.   Decorative block retaining walls to the side and rear of the house create several terraces providing useable side and backyard space.  Completing the yard is an attractive garden landscape along the 200 foot frontage on Mine Brook Road established by homeowners working in partnership with the Master Gardeners of Somerset and Hunterdon counties.  This project illustrates how housing can be built which is both attractive and affordable. 

Site design was by Bill Hollows of Murphy and Hollows Associates.  The architect of the project was Mark Andrews of Beer & Coleman Architects and Associates.  RVHFH thanks them for their time and commitment to this outstanding project.

NHHS Technology Service Club Donates Mac Minis
to 2 RVHFH Homeowners

Turning their “gaming nights” into fundraising opportunities, students at North Hunterdon High School recently purchased two Apple Mac Mini computers and donated them to new Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity homeowners.

Jeff Dlouhy, former president of the NHHS Technology Service Club, explained that the club, which built a PC for an RVHFH family in 2004, held the gaming nights quarterly, which allowed them to raise the funds needed to purchase the computers.

“It went very smoothly,” Mr. Dlouhy said. “It was a pleasure to work with RVHFH and I hope the families are doing well and enjoying their new computers.”

Working with faculty advisor Richard Bergacs, director of technology at North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District, and RVHFH volunteer Linda Bradway, Mr. Dlouhy and the club delivered the computers in June.

“They are a great group of young people with great initiative,” Mr. Bergacs said, referring to members of the NHHS Technology Service Club.

Mr. Dlouhy added that he hopes the club can donate more computers to other new RVHFH homeowners.

Cub Scouts recreate famous painting to support Bernardsville build

Pictured from left to right: Alex Rundella, Colin Kirst, Jake Cawley, Andrew Lynch, Jimmy Cawley, Connor Kirst and Kyle Verduin.

The Bernardsville Pack 150 Cub Scouts have found a creative way to raise funds for the Habitat homes being built in Bernardsville. Working with the Hands On Art Studio in Chester, Cub Scouts from Pack 150 have recreated David Hockey’s 2000 painting, “Going Up Garrowby Hill”. The project, a large wall mosaic, was framed by Helricks in Dover, and is currently being exhibited at Le Reve Gallery, located at 24 Main Street in Chester. A silent auction of the painting is being held through October 29th, when the highest bidder will be announced. All proceeds from the auction will benefit the Habitat for Humanity project in Bernardsville.

Le Reve Gallery is located at 24 Main Street, (entrance on Perry Street), Chester, 908-879-8055. Please visit the gallery and support this worthy cause!

The Pack 150 Cub Scouts will also be bringing refreshments to the worksite on October 21st and to the Bernardsville house dedication ceremony next spring. All this activity is part of the Habitat Home Helpers program, a great way for kids aged 14 and under to support Habitat. See Habitat Home Helpers for more information.

Temperatures Soar at Bernardsville Site Dedication: July 29th

Humidity and high temperatures failed to dampen the excitement and emotion of the dedication of the two Bernardsville duplex sites on Sat., July 29. About 50 people – including the four families whose houses are being built – turned out for the dedication.

“This is about a lot more than nails,” said Dick Carr, president of Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity. “We all are sharing gifts of faith and the comfort of hope for the future. When we get together to partner with these families, it’s an act of love.” Lee Honecker, a Bernardsville councilman, echoed Mr. Carr. “Habitat means a little bit more than housing,” he said. “It means community." "Habitat fosters community by bringing residents together to help others become part of the community,” he said. “On behalf of the mayor, borough council and residents, to our soon-to-be new residents, may you live long, happy and prosperous lives in our borough.”

Chuck Coombs, co-chair of RVHFH’s family support committee introduced each family – the Broughtons, the Davises, the Jameses and the Robinsons.

“It’s a dream come true,” said Jessica Broughton, who will live in one of the homes with her sons Cameron, 11, and Sean, 4, and daughter Tyler, 7.  “I’m very grateful,” she added. “And I’m overwhelmed with the excitement and emotion and everyone who is part of the project.”

Representing the church partnership, Rev. Patti Weikart from Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church said hundreds of people had made "vital" contributions to bring the project to the point where construction is underway.

The two duplexes are expected to be completed in Spring of 2007.

Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc.
Our Newest House Partner!

We are delighted to announce a major contribution from Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, a division of Johnson & Johnson. Ortho-McNeil has signed on as a House Partner for the home at 41 Hancock in Lambertville.   This partnership includes a cash donation of $35,000.  In addition, employees from Ortho-McNeil will also have the opportunity to work on site to help complete construction of this home. 

Thanks to Ortho-McNeil, the home at 41 Hancock is now fully funded.

Thank you from all of us at Habitat!!!

***Are looking to get your company involved in Habitat  for Humanity?
   Please take a look at our Business Partnerships section of the website.

New Jersey Builders Association
Sponsors a Lambertville Home

The New Jersey Builder’s Association has signed on as the Signature Sponsor of Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity’s first Women Build home in Lambertville.  The NJBA will be providing a total of $80,000 in cash and in-kind donations.   Mary Caporaso, past president of the NJBA and chair of the Women Build effort, is spearheading this project.    

The NJBA sponsorship includes a $30,000 cash donation from the Foundation for Housing, the philanthropic arm of the NJBA.  The Foundation for Housing works to assist people of modest income in obtaining the American dream---a home of their own.    By sponsoring a Habitat home, the NJBA will help another low-income family to fulfill their dream. 

Several women members of the NJBA are playing a key role in orchestrating the Women Build effort, including Mary Caporaso, Mary Anderson, Barbara Chiusano, and others.   These women are hard at work soliciting the support of their contractors for the Women Build project.   

From all of us at Habitat, and from the families in need of affordable housing in New Jersey----a big THANK YOU to the NJBA for your support!!!

United Way Supports RVHFH's First WOMEN BUILD

The United Way Women’s Initiative recently awarded RVHFH a grant of $2,000 to support Women Build 2005, our affiliate’s first Women Build program. The grant will be used to bring 24 Senior Girl Scouts onto the construction site this fall to help build a Habitat home. The girls will be trained and guided by members of the adult Women Build team. Senior Girl Scout Kelsey Newborn (second from right) and Habitat volunteer Kathy Tanaka will be organizing this event, which is scheduled to take place in early November.”

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