A new home at 11 Grand Terrace in Livingston is among the latest projects by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newark. — Courtesy: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newark
By Joshua Burd
The Kislak Family Foundation has made a $50,000 grant to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newark, which the organization will use for projects in Essex, Hudson and Union counties.
The donation from the Miami Lakes, Florida-based foundation, which Habitat of Greater Newark announced on Thursday, will serve the nonprofit’s mission of building or rehabbing homes to benefit low- to moderate-income families. Its latest projects include two new homes in Livingston and repairs to dwellings in East Orange, Elizabeth and Jersey City.
“New Jersey is a great place to live and work,” said Jason Pucci, chief operating officer of The Kislak Co. Inc., which is based in Woodbridge. “Since our company’s founding as a real estate brokerage firm in Hoboken in 1906, we’ve been involved in nearly all aspects of the New Jersey real estate market. We see this grant as continuing our late Chairman Jay Kislak’s legacy of mindful and meaningful philanthropy through supporting home ownership in the state where our company began.”
In a news release, Habitat of Greater Newark said more than 100 families have benefited from homes built by the organization, thanks to generous donations from individuals, families, corporations, foundations and faith-based organizations. That work is also supported by thousands of volunteers and other local nonprofit organizations.
Through its Critical Repair and Healthy Home Initiative, Habitat of Greater Newark also identifies and fixes barriers to safe and healthy living conditions such as mold and asbestos, the news release said. By providing targeted repairs and improvements such as energy-saving measures and aging-in-place functionality, the organization said it works to keep low-income families, seniors and veterans in the homes that they already own.
“This grant serves as validation of the work we do,” said Jeffrey J. Farrell, CEO of Habitat of Greater Newark. “It’s simply amazing to have our work in affordable housing and home rehabilitation recognized by a company that’s been active in New Jersey real estate for over a hundred years.”
Tom Bartelmo, CEO of the Kislak Family Foundation, added: “In business and in philanthropy, we at Kislak understand how important it is for people to have safe, comfortable homes where their families can thrive. We are proud to support the community-building, family-focused work of Habitat for Humanity.”
