Interfaith Neighbors, Inc.
810 Fourth Avenue, Asbury Park, N. J. 07712-5982
Telephone (732) 775-0525 FAX (732) 775-5422
E-mail: info@interfaithneighbors.org
www.interfaithneighbors.org
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2008 ANNUAL REPORT
This year, Interfaith Neighbors received a new grant
from the Department of Community Affairs, Homelessness
Prevention Program to expand our rental assistance program
to help families who are facing eviction or homelessness
due to an emergency situation. Families who were previously
ineligible for assistance may now be able to receive help
through this new program.
This division provided rental assistance to nearly 175
working poor families, which converts to approximately
700 individuals, most of whom are children. It expended
approximately $275,000 in assistance, including over $20,000
in overdue utility bills. In addition it distributed dozens
of holiday gift baskets and hundreds of toys for Christmas
through our annual “Adopt-a-Family” program.
Nutrition Division (“Meals on Wheels”)
Approximately 400,000 meals were prepared, served and
delivered to 3,900 seniors and disabled persons living
in Monmouth County. Meals are delivered to homebound seniors
and are served in our eight congregate settings. This
year, the volunteer unit coordinated the activities of
over 600 dedicated volunteers working throughout Monmouth
County, recording over 75,000 hours annually in volunteer
service. These volunteers prepare meals for distribution,
deliver meals to our homebound seniors, and serve meals
in our congregate settings. The organization has been
the sole operator of the Monmouth County nutrition program
since 1991.
Affordable Housing
Construction was completed on the company’s nineteenth
house at 1019 Bangs Ave. in Asbury Park, and our twentieth
housing project at 1501 Washington Ave., also in Asbury
Park. Interfaith Neighbors completed our first manufactured
home this year. This project meets the same standard of
quality as all of our previous homes. The homes that we
build are of high quality and are virtually indistinguishable
from market rate homes; a typical example is our 1,800
square foot 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, single family detached
home that comes complete with all appliances, central
air, a state-of-the-art security system, ceramic tile,
fully fenced and landscaped with photovoltaic solar systems
where feasible.
Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit Program
Interfaith Neighbors has a revitalization plan for Asbury
Park’s West Side which was approved by the New Jersey
Department of Community Affairs under the Neighborhood
Revitalization Tax Credit Program. Interfaith Neighbors’
plan includes some 60 identified projects to be completed
over a ten year period, and is divided into five overarching
goals including improved housing conditions; economic
revitalization; improved community and recreational facilities;
improved public spaces and infrastructure; and improved
social conditions and public safety.
Construction is underway on five parcels of land and will
yield three single-family and two affordable two-family
houses. This past year, we provided money for restoration
of the pool at the Boys’ and Girls’ Club,
installation of lights at the Little League field, preliminary
planning for a project with the Police Athletic League
(PAL) boxing program and assistance to the police department
by providing street cameras to help fight crime. We are
currently working on our cornerstone project for our second-year:
a mixed-use facility on Springwood Avenue to be comprised
of commercial and retail space on the first floor, with
a state-of-the-art Senior Center and eight affordable
housing units above. In our first year, we secured $1
million in corporate investments in our plan. Interfaith
Neighbors repeated that milestone in year two. Our investors
this year include the New Jersey Natural Gas Company,
Jersey Central Power and Light Company, and the Selective
Insurance Company. Interfaith Neighbors has been awarded
a Neighborhood Implementation Grant from the Wachovia
Regional Foundation, which helps cover administrative
costs related to the program.
New Jersey Youth Corps Program
We are currently in our second year of operating the
Monmouth County chapter of the New Jersey Youth Corps
Program. Youth Corps is a year-round, voluntary program
which engages young adults (ages 16-25) in full-time community
service, training, and educational activities. In return
for their efforts to restore and strengthen communities,
Corps members receive education development in basic skills
and preparation to obtain a GED or locally issued Adult
High School Diploma; life skills and employability skills
instruction; and personal and career counseling to build
self-esteem, clarify values, and develop leadership skills
while they are developing their career portfolio.
We currently have twenty youth enrolled, and have seen
much success in the past year. Eight Corps members have
earned their GED, while many others are showing dramatic
improvement in their reading and math skills. These youth
were recognized at a special graduation ceremony held
in December at Triumphant Life Church in Asbury Park.
Corps members have also provided countless hours of community
service this year, including projects with Garden of Joy
Urban Garden in Asbury Park, the Westside Community Center,
the City of Asbury Park Department of Public Works, and
other Interfaith Neighbors programs such as Meals on Wheels
and our Affordable Housing program. A total of 55 youth
have come through the program this past year.
General Information
Interfaith Neighbors celebrated its 20th Anniversary
this past year at a gala event, held at Branches Restaurant
in Long Branch. This event attracted 300 supporters and
honored New Jersey Natural Gas for their on-going support.
The organization has 50 employees and offers health and
dental benefits, a 401K plan with company participation
and life insurance for its full-time staff.
The organization was supported by 40
congregations and over 250 private donors. It received
government grants from the New Jersey Department of Community
Affairs, the N. J. Department of Labor, the Monmouth County
Department of Human Services and the Monmouth County Community
Development Office, and it was also awarded grants from
the following corporations and/or foundations:
| Ayco Charitable Foundation |
Nike Employee Matching Gift |
| Bruce Springsteen |
New Jersey Natural Gas |
| Capital One |
New Jersey Resources |
| ExxonMobil Foundation |
PNC Bank |
| Gannett Foundation |
Prudential Foundation |
| Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation |
Selective Insurance |
| Home Depot |
Sferra Bros. |
| Investors Savings Bank |
Sovereign Bank Foundation |
| JCP&L |
Thrill Hill Productions |
| Jersey Mike’s |
Vanguard |
| Kurr Foundation |
Wachovia Bank |
| Medco |
Wachovia Regional Foundation |
| Mary Owen Borden Foundation |
Whelan Foundation |
| Monmouth Park Charities |
Wright Hager Foundation |
| |
_____________________________
Joseph J. Marmora
Executive Director
_____________________________
Paul L. McEvily
Associate Executive Director |
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to view 2007 Annual Report
