61st Habitat for Humanity Partner Family Celebrates Home Dedication in Middletown
Middletown, NJ – In a heartwarming home dedication ceremony on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County (HFHMC) welcomed Amanda Finn and her two children to their new home in Middletown. This marks the completion of the 61st affordable house by the non-profit organization in Monmouth County.
Middletown Mayor Tony Perry, Borough Administrator Anthony Mercante, Monmouth County Commissioner Erik Anderson, Assemblywoman Vicky Flynn, and Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger, attended the dedication ceremony. Prominent business leaders, sponsors, donors, and volunteers were also present, including the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Tom Hayes of New Jersey Natural Gas, John Kabourakis of Fortified Roofing, long-time partner WRAT 95.9FM, architect Matt Cronin, Beth Ruda of Fair Haven Garden Club, as well as Teresa Staub and Connie Isbell of Monmouth Arts, to name a few of the attendees.
A huge thank you to John Vitollo for donating his time and skills so that we could have these photographs to share. You can see the full album HERE.
Amanda Finn expressed her gratitude, stating, “Being a parent and raising children is no easy feat. They say it takes a village—well, I am so happy to now have Habitat as a part of mine. The stability and peace of mind they have now provided my children and me with a brand new affordable home is immeasurable.”
Kim Stulb, Board President of Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County, emphasized the importance of affordable housing, stating, “Welcoming a family home and giving them a decent, safe and affordable place to live is such an important part of our mission. It takes many hands, hearts, and funds to build a home, and we are thankful for everyone who helped to make this dream a reality. We wish Amanda and her children many years of happiness in their new home.”
When selected, Habitat partner families participate in the construction of their new home or other Habitat programs and projects through “sweat equity”. Families, depending on size, dedicate 200-375 hours to Habitat projects and programs. Since breaking ground in May 2023, approximately 80 volunteers have worked alongside the Habitat construction crew to complete the house.
Amanda Finn is realizing her dream of homeownership through an affordable, low-interest mortgage facilitated by HFHMC. The generosity of Middletown Township, which donated the lot for the construction, underscores the borough’s commitment to affordable housing.
The project is part of the “House that Rock Built” program, a successful partnership between HFHMC and Beasley Media/95.5 WRAT that includes an annual event at Monmouth Mall to construct walls for Habitat houses.
Teams from: Anchor (Oldcastle); Colts Neck Reformed Church; Credit Suisse/UBS; Fidelity Investments; Hillman Consulting; and Window Nation volunteered at this house to help us make the dream of homeownership a reality for the Finn family.
Sponsors include: The Catholic Daughters of the Americas; Columbia Bank; CPL Partnership LLC; Fair Haven Garden Club/Beth Ruda; Fortified Roofing; Guire; James Morris, Esq.; Habitat for Humanity International; Heilbrunn Pape; Hillman Consulting; Home Depot; Lawes Environmental Services; Levelor; Lowes; Matthew Cronin; Middletown Township; Monmouth Arts; Monmouth County; New Jersey Natural Gas; OceanFirst Foundation; R. Brothers Concrete; Stockton Land Surveyors; Wells Fargo Build Grants; Whirlpool; Window Nation; Woodhaven Lumber; WRAT Radio/Beasley Media Group
About Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County
Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization that seeks to put God’s love into action by building homes, communities and hope. Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County is dedicated to having safe and affordable homes locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their living conditions. For more information, visit www.habitatmonmouth.org.
MEDIA CONTACT: Caroline Howell, Marketing & Event Coordinator
Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County
chowell@habitatmonmouth.org / 732-728-0441 x310 (office)