FREEHOLD — Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County has been awarded $5,000 for a House that Rock Built project by OceanFirst Foundation of Toms River.
The grant will provide additional support for the construction of a two-family home in Atlantic Highlands.
Habitat for Humanity is in the process of identifying a new partner family for the home.
The project kicked off with a two-day build at the Monmouth Mall to frame out walls for the new construction. The build was led by a partnership with WRAT 95.9 radio station, Greater Media and Monmouth Mall. The build will continue at the home’s permanent location in Atlantic Highlands over the next several months.
“The OceanFirst Foundation has been a tremendous partner of ours, their support is monumental to our ability to fulfill and deliver our mission,” said Ray Gabler, executive director, Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County. “Being able to turn over the keys to a deserving family is an unbelievable blessing; we thank OceanFirst a thousand times over for their continued support.”
Since 2012, Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County has worked to help repair over 110 superstorm Sandy-affected homes in its service area. In 2015, it relocated its ReStore, the affiliate’s social enterprise, to a new and larger space in downtown Freehold.
Today, the affiliate continues to focus on traditional home builds through its Monmouth County service area, while also promoting its neighborhood home-repair program, “A Brush with Kindness,” and “Ramps and Rails,” a service that provides wheelchair ramps to the elderly and disabled in the community.
In 2016, the organization began working with the local community in Long Branch to identify the need and partner with local organzations to enhance revitalization efforts in the area.
To learn more about Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County, visit www.habitatmonmouth.org.