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Our affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International was officially incorporated as Freehold Area Habitat for Humanity, non-profit organization on October 1, 1989. Over a year of hard work and planning let up to that event. The idea for a Freehold Affiliate began as a proposal from the Long Range Planning Committee of Freehold Area Open Door, a food pantry and referral organization in downtown Freehold.
A subcommittee organized a community meeting to assess interest in Habitat at St. Rose of Lima Church, and over 60 area residents responded. A Habitat planning committee was formed from the attendees of that meeting and the mold was cast.
Early strong support came from the Colts Neck Reformed Church by way of a zero interest loan of $25,000 and a significant outright donation. A period of committee organization, fund raising, site selection and construction work paid off with rehabilitation of the first house on Parker Street in downtown Freehold. Over 50 potential sites were visited and over $80,000 raised in support of this first project. The house was purchased by Oscar and Sonia Salinas and a joyous dedication was held on June 15, 1990.
Since its inception in 1989, 24 houses have been built or rehabbed. During these past years, the organization has raised over $1,000,000 to provide simple, decent, affordable housing.
In 2003, recognizing our broader geographical focus, we changed our name to Western Monmouth Habitat for Humanity.
Our affiliate donates 10% of all undesignated funds we raise to building houses outside the USA. In countries like Guatemala, where the need is desperate, a Habitat house can be built for about $3,000.
We are hard at work to increase our construction rate to 3 houses per year. The future holds excitement and many challenges. How will we raise the money, where will we find new building lots or houses to be rehabbed, who will volunteer to lead and work? We are confident that these questions will be answered and our goals will be met. Please help us build a bright future for families in need.
- Katie Beck (Recording Secretary)
- Ed Bowen
- Frank Condon (Vice President)
- Ken Curtis (Treasurer)
- Hank D'Onofrio
- Greg Gibson
- Joe Grabas
- Lugenia Jefferson
- Jay Kaplan
- Ginny Malecki
- Joe Malecki
- Lee Moffitt ( President)
- Bill Mogensen
- Laurie Musgrave (Corporate Secretary)
- Bill Perkinson
- Lauren Sampson
- Bill Seifert
- Monica Sforza
- Carl Zeppieri
- Brian Barrett
- Sidney Blacknell
Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need.
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Drawn by Gregory Lopez - Son of Habitat Homeowner - at Age 10 |
Habitat challenges people of compassion to provide the initial capital - through gifts and no-interest loans - to build or renovate simple, decent homes for the inadequately sheltered. Construction is a cooperative venture between volunteers and home buyers. Houses are sold at no profit and with a no-interest mortgage repaid over a 15 to 25 year period. The house payments are recycled to build more houses.
By having the affluent, families in need and donors work together in equal partnership, Habitat for Humanity hopes to build new relationships and a sense of community as well as new homes.
A House can be a Sermon about God's Love.
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