Truly Home Holidays
December 24, 2021
One of the most fundamental human rights is having a place to call home. We're enormously proud to have built 150 units of affordable and supportive housing here in the City of Paterson—with another 65 under construction.
Our goal is not only to provide a decent place to call home, but also to offer our residents assistance with navigating life's challenges—and, perhaps most importantly, to instill hope, confidence, optimism, and a sense of community.
Every year, we work hard to make the holiday season a joyous time for our residents. It's important to us that they feel truly at home in their housing. To that end, our staff works tirelessly to make each residence jolly—with Christmas trees, holly, stockings, and more!
Each residence also holds holiday events. Located right next door to our headquarters, William Waldman Independence House (or "Indy House" as we call it) offers safe housing with supportive services to ten young men leaving the foster care system. Each resident has his own bedroom, as well as access to the common kitchen and recreation area. Indy House residents recently enjoyed putting up a tree and decorating the common area to reflect their holiday cheer. They also went to the movies and had a pizza party on Christmas Eve day! And on Christmas morning, they'll celebrate with a breakfast and a dinner at their home.
Indy House resident O'Brien Walters, who was recently promoted to a supervisor position at UPS said, "It feels good to come home after a long day and see the Christmas tree! They've really brought the Christmas spirit to Indy House. I love Robin [Robin Murray, NJCDC's Director of Residential Operations] and everything she and her team does for us. This program helps youth take their life to the next level and have a better future. In Jamaica, where I am from, they tell us if you want something you have to work hard for it. Indy allows me to do just that!" Fellow Indy resident Tashine Walters, who received his GED last month, shared, "The decorations and renovations really make the place look good and feel like home! We are a family here, and we look out for each other."
Indeed, our Indy House residents had another reason to be extra jolly this year, as Indy recently underwent a renovation, thanks to a grant from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. This included a full repainting, improved lighting, new window treatments, and new flooring.
Just down the street is Spruce Terrace Apartments—which also recently underwent a renovation. Spruce Terrace provides safe and supportive housing to eight formerly homeless individuals with a disability, who benefit from onsite staff helping them live independently. There, residents put up a tree in their community room and held a holiday lunch. Residents also enjoyed decorating their own bedrooms to make them festive!
Aurelio Chenique, who has lived at Spruce Terrace for six years said, "There are no other words besides 'happy' to describe the feeling of living here. I am overwhelmed with joy and just so happy!" Fellow Spruce Terrace resident Carmen Rodriguez said, "At the time in my life when I had the greatest need, NJCDC accepted me, and for that, I am forever grateful!"
Leroy Wiggins, who was formerly homeless before being helped by our housing programs, shared, "It is a blessing to be involved with NJCDC because they do so much for us, especially the homeless, and it inspired me to get more involved and give back when I can. NJCDC is a blessing to the homeless, the elderly, the disabled, and anyone who needs support. They go out of their way to extend a helping hand to anyone who needs it, and I want to pay that forward!"
NJCDC Founder & CEO Bob Guarasci said, "Our residents' stories give new meaning to being home for the holidays—especially during these complicated times. NJCDC is so grateful we can partner with the state's Department of Children and Families, Department of Community Affairs, and Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency to make housing and services available to those who so desperately need them. We're also very grateful for gifts from caring individuals, companies, and corporations who want to help their neighbors in need succeed, and we ask that anyone considering an end-of-the-year charitable donation think of organizations like ours."
End-of-the-year gifts can be made at njcdc.org/donate. All contributions are fully tax-deductible!
Source: https://njcdc.org/njcdcrsquos-housing-residents-are-truly-home-holidays/