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Raritan Valley Habitat and Wells Fargo Press Release

News /

Wells Fargo Donates $15,000 to Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity to help more families in Raritan Township, NJ access Decent, affordable housing 

Bedminster, NJ (November 15, 2021) – Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity is one of more than 220 Habitat organizations awarded a grant from Wells Fargo as part of its nationwide initiative to help low-to-moderate income families construct and improve homes across the country.

“Far too many people across the country are facing housing instability and one of our key priorities is to create housing affordability solutions where everyone can have a safe and affordable place to call home,” said Tomas Porturas, Wells Fargo VP/Sr. Community Relations Consultant. “We are proud to support Habitat for Humanity in providing homeownership opportunities for hundreds of families nationwide through Wells Fargo Builds.”

Raritan Valley Habitat will receive $15,000 and use the funding to build a duplex in Raritan Township. The ground breaking ceremony for this project will be November 19th at 10:00 am.  All are welcome. 

“This is an exciting time for two families willing to invest in their futures. Thanks to Wells Fargo these families and their children will have a safe place to build strength, stability, and self-reliance.”

The grant is part of a $7.75 million donation Wells Fargo is making to Habitat for Humanity International through Wells Fargo Builds, an initiative that provides philanthropic financial support and volunteerism to create sustainable affordable housing. More than 340 homes will be constructed or repaired with Habitat in over 40 states through the initiative this year. Wells Fargo Builds is part of Wells Fargo’s $1 billion philanthropic commitment to create more housing affordability solutions by 2025.

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About Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity
Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (RVHFH) puts God’s love into action and brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Our vision is a time when everyone in Hunterdon and Somerset counties has a decent place to live. Since 1991, RV Habitat has been building strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable home ownership opportunities for hard-working, local families. RV Habitat has built 140 homes internationally through tithing. To support these projects by making a donation, please visit www.rvhabitat.org/give or mail a donation to Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 330 Pluckemin, NJ 07978. If you would like to volunteer, visit rvhabitat.org/volunteer.

Ground Breaking Ceremony

Event /

Please Join Us

as we break ground on a new Raritan Township home

Have a cup of coffee and meet our future homeowner

Friday November 19
10 AM
1 Raritan Avenue
(Corner of South Main Street)
Flemington, NJ 08822

RSVP: homeownerservices@rvhabitat.org
or 
908-704-0016 Ext. 117

Download the Flyer

RV Habitat ReStore Celebrates 3 Year Anniversary

News /

Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity ReStore Celebrates 3 Years Serving the Community

Manville, NJ (November 5, 2021) —The Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity ReStore has recently celebrated our 3rd anniversary! We want to thank all of our donors, volunteers, and customers for all of your support. Your donations, purchases and service hours have helped RV Habitat build Habitat homes and repair homes through our Brush with Kindness program.

We have all had our challenges this past year. COVID hit and we had to change many things here at the ReStore. Thank you for your patience through all of it. Then came the floods that devastated many local communities. Thankfully our ReStore did not sustain any damage from the flood and were only closed for a few days. We reopened as soon as possible so that we could be here for those affected by the flood to help in any way we could. Thank you to everyone who donated items for our Fill the Truck Drive, we donated over 6000 lbs of food and cleaning products. Many thanks to all who purchased ReStore Gift cards to be given out to families in need.

We love that we have become part of the community and that RV Habitat and the ReStore have been able to serve friends and families in Somerset and Hunterdon counties. We look forward to what the next year will bring, the people we will meet and the lives we can help change.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to find out how we will be celebrating 3 Years!  

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About Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity
Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (RVHFH) puts God’s love into action and brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Our vision is a time when everyone in Hunterdon and Somerset counties has a decent place to live. Since 1991, RV Habitat has been building strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable home ownership opportunities for hard-working, local families. RV Habitat has built 140 homes internationally through tithing. To support these projects by making a donation, please visit www.rvhabitat.org/give or mail a donation to Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 330 Pluckemin, NJ 07978. For individuals (ages 16+) and groups who would like to volunteer on the Montgomery Township build site, visit rvhabitat.org/volunteer.

RV Habitat ReStore Facebook
RV Habitat ReStore Instagram

RV Habitat Volunteer to Serve Others on Upcoming International Home Rehabilitation Trips

News /

Raritan Valley Habitat Volunteer Helps Rebuild Communities Across the Globe

Bedminster, NJ (October 28, 2021) — From New Jersey, to Brazil, Costa Rica and beyond, Kaitlyn Reper, a registered nurse and volunteer, is passionate about building communities and hope wherever she goes. Kaitlyn has been volunteering with Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity since 2010. She serves on the construction team and gala planning committee, and volunteers regularly at the Habitat ReStore in Manville, NJ. In addition to being a valued volunteer, she is an avid traveler, and is getting ready to head out on her next adventure.

In December, Kaitlyn will be travelling to Portugal, followed by a trip to Puerto Rico in January. She is going with Fuller Center for Housing, a Christian organization that aims to eradicate poverty housing by partnering with community members to build and rehabilitate housing for those in need. This will be Kaitlyn’s first experience with the Fuller Center for Housing, but she is no stranger to serving others while traveling abroad!

As a student at Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ, Kaitlyn began traveling with her campus’s Habitat for Humanity chapter on spring breaks. She traveled to many places within the country: Oakland, California; Miami, Florida; and New Orleans, Louisiana to provide relief after Hurricane Katrina. On these trips, she and the group of volunteers she traveled with stayed in volunteer shelters, schools, and even slept on church floors. Kaitlyn shares that one of the most rewarding experiences was returning to New Orleans the next year, and not being able to sleep in the same school — as it had become fully operational as a school once again thanks to the help received.

For Kaitlyn, and many others, the most rewarding part of home building and rehabilitation trips is the knowledge that the work they’re completing is directly helping those in need. “I’m most excited about getting back out there and making a direct impact,” Kaitlyn says. “You really don’t realize how fortunate you are. Going on these trips opens your eyes; these people would not get the help they need if it weren’t for organizations like Habitat for Humanity.”

Kaitlyn’s first international trip was to Brazil, and most recently she led the Habitat for Humanity trip to Portugal in 2019. Aside from helping those in need, the trips also allow volunteers to have a cultural experience. In Honduras, Kaitlyn took a tour of a coffee plantation and explored the Mayan ruins. On her next trip, she looks forward to experiencing Portuguese Christmas traditions and learning some Portuguese baking.

Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity is very blessed to work with such a passionate and driven volunteer. From her very first Women Build event in Bridgewater, to all of the time and effort spent on our most recent home in Montgomery, Kaitlyn is an essential and valued part of the RV Habitat family.

If you’d like to support Kaitlyn Reper’s mission work, she is hosting a Panera Bread fundraiser on Tuesday, November 2nd, where a percentage of funds from all purchases will go toward her trip expenses. The fundraiser will be from 4pm – 8pm, and will be at the Panera located at 325 US Highway 202, Flemington, NJ 08822. The flyer for the fundraiser and link to donate are below.

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About Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity
Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (RVHFH) puts God’s love into action and brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Our vision is a time when everyone in Hunterdon and Somerset counties has a decent place to live. Since 1991, RV Habitat has been building strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable home ownership opportunities for hard-working, local families. RV Habitat has built 140 homes internationally through tithing. To support these projects by making a donation, please visit www.rvhabitat.org/give or mail a donation to Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 330 Pluckemin, NJ 07978. For individuals (ages 16+) and groups who would like to volunteer on the Montgomery Township build site, visit rvhabitat.org/volunteer.

panera picture
Click to see Flyer for Kaitlyn's Panera Fundraiser
Click to Support Kaitlyn's Trip

Homeownership Opportunity with RV Habitat

News /

Become a Homeowner with Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity!

Pluckemin, NJ (October 18, 2021) — Have you ever dreamed of owning your own home and providing strength, stability and self-reliance for yourself and your family? Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (RV Habitat) is currently seeking one household for one side of a new low-income duplex home in Raritan Township (Hunterdon County), NJ.

This home will have 2 ½ bathrooms, and either 3 or 4 bedrooms depending on the number of people in the household. The price for the 3-bedroom home is $160,000 and the price for the 4-bedroom home is $175,000.

Potential homeowners for this project must qualify as low income according to the limits adopted by the NJ Council on Affordable Housing for Region 3 (Somerset, Hunterdon and Middlesex Counties). Other required qualifications can be found at www.rvhabitat.org/apply-now.

The selected future homeowner(s) will partner with RV Habitat to purchase their own home. They will be responsible for providing sweat equity hours—including time on the actual build site, in workshops, at the RV Habitat ReStore, and more–and for paying an affordable mortgage provided by RV Habitat.

To apply, please visit www.rvhabitat.org/apply-now. Preliminary applications are due on November 16, 2021. Once RV Habitat determines that applicants meet the low-income housing and RV Habitat underwriting requirements, full application and documentation are due on December 7, 2021. The final lottery to select from qualified applicants is on December 21, 2021.

Applicants must attend one webinar orientation in order to apply. To register for the orientation, visit www.rvhabitat.org/homeowner-orientation-schedule.

Attached is a downloadable flyer. To download an application, please visit www.rvhabitat.org/apply-now. For any questions or to request a paper application, please reach out to Jessica Abbott, Homeowner Services Manager, at (908)-704-0016 x. 117, or homeownerservices@rvhabitat.org . 

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About Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity
Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (RVHFH) puts God’s love into action and brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Our vision is a time when everyone in Hunterdon and Somerset counties has a decent place to live. Since 1991, RV Habitat has been building strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable home ownership opportunities for hard-working, local families. To support these projects by making a donation, please visit www.rvhabitat.org/give or mail a donation to Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 330, Pluckemin, NJ 07879. For individuals (ages 16+) and groups who would like to volunteer on the Montgomery Township build site, visit rvhabitat.org/volunteer.

Contact:
Brittany Powelson, Community Outreach Manager
bpowelson@rvhabitat.org
(908)-704-0016 x 114

Click here to Download Flyer

Three Cheers to 30 Years, Carpenter’s Club Press Release

News /

Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity announces New Exclusive Way to give, celebrates 30 year anniversary

Bedminster, NJ (August, 2021) — Three Cheers for 30 Years! In late July, Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (RVHFH) celebrated its 30-year anniversary of serving Somerset and Hunterdon counties with a gathering and an announcement of their new regular giving club. The RVHFH Carpenter’s Club is a valued group of supporters who make recurring monthly or quarterly gifts to RVHFH, and will receive exclusive opportunities to build, shop with discounts, and connect with other like-minded people.

Carpenter’s Club members conveniently give through regular monthly or quarterly credit card donations or workplace payroll deductions. Regardless of the individual gift size, these recurring gifts make an incredible difference. These gifts provide Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity with a reliable stream of support which is vital for planning and growing our impact in Somerset and Hunterdon Counties.

Carpenter’s Club supporters align themselves with others with similar values and enjoy many member benefits, such as invitations to exclusive build days with other Carpenter’s Club members, an invitation to tour the completed homes before the future family moves in, camaraderie within the community, and discounted shopping at the Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity ReStore. 

For more information on how you can become a part of this rewarding new group, visit this link: https://rvhabitat.org/carpenters-club/.

At RVHFH’s event “Three Cheers to 30 Years”, Habitat homeowners, past and current board members, staff, donors and volunteers gathered at the site of RVHFH’s new office space to look back at the past, revel in the present, and plan for the future. Various members of the RVHFH community spoke about these different aspects of the organization, including Executive Director Melissa Flynn, current future homeowner Cicely Caldwell, and past and current Presidents of the Board, Meg Helms and Nuno Barboza. Reverend Ian Rankine, Pastor of the Pluckemin Presbyterian Church, said a prayer before the evening began. As the Pluckemin Presbyterian Church owns the building that will serve as RVHFH’s new office, this event was not only a celebration of 30 years, but signified a wonderful new partnership between RVHFH and the church.

Guests attending the event were able to enjoy a delicious catered dinner from Luna Rossa in Bedminster, NJ with dessert afterwards and time to network in person with one another. For many, it was a time of safely reconnecting with friends and supportive community members. One homeowner in particular expressed her excitement towards reconnecting with Pam Ely, a past Executive Director at RVHFH. “I haven’t seen her since I was going through the process to become a homeowner myself!” she said excitedly. “She was Executive Director back then. I just talked to her a bit and it was so wonderful to see her again after so long.”

Images below are of various guests at the Three Cheers to 30 Years event and the Burd House, the building owned by Pluckemin Presbyterian Church that is serving as RVHFH’s new office space.

 

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About Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity
Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (RVHFH) puts God’s love into action and brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Our vision is a time when everyone in Hunterdon and Somerset counties has a decent place to live. Since 1991, RV Habitat has been building strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable home ownership opportunities for hard-working, local families. To support these projects by making a donation, please visit www.rvhabitat.org/give or mail a donation to Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 6275 Bridgewater, NJ 08807. For individuals (ages 16+) and groups who would like to volunteer on the Montgomery Township build site, visit rvhabitat.org/volunteer.

Contact:
Brittany Powelson, Community Outreach Manager
bpowelson@rvhabitat.org
(908)-704-0016 x 114

RVHFH and ReStore to Provide Hurricane Ida Relief

News /
Download Flyer
Download Application
Volunteer to Provide Relief

Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity Implementing Programs to Serve Those Impacted by Hurricane Ida

Somerville, NJ (September 7, 2021) — In response to the damage done from Hurricane Ida, Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (RVHFH) is bringing people together to build homes, community and hope with the following:

  • A Brush With Kindness
  • ReStore Gift Card Drive
  • Fill the Truck Donation Drive
  • Offering free supplies to those in need

The pilot of the “A Brush with Kindness” program was in July of this year, and involved a large group of volunteers who gardened, cleaned, and provided small repairs for low- to moderate – income homeowners. RVHFH is seeking volunteers who are interested in providing relief to those suffering from hurricane damage, and who are physically able to perform home clean-ups and small repairs. For information on how to volunteer, please visit https://rvhabitat.org/individual-volunteer/.

If you or someone you know has been impacted by Hurricane Ida and would like assistance with clearing items out of the home, sanitizing, shop vacuuming, brush cleanup and other small repairs, you can find the application at www.rvhabitat.org/hurricane-ida-relief/. To return completed applications, please:

  • Scan or take a photo of completed application and email to homeownerservices@rvhabitat.org
  • Mail completed applications to P.O. Box 330, Pluckemin, NJ 07978
  • Drop completed applications off in person to the Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity ReStore, at 110 North Main Street, Manville, NJ 08835

The Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity ReStore is also offering an option for shoppers to purchase ReStore gift cards for families in need. Gift cards will be distributed to these families to purchase furniture, household items and home repair items. Families and homeowners in need may also stop by the ReStore in person, where they will be offered donated home repair and relief items for free, such as shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, paper towels, and cleaning and laundry supplies.

During the week of September 7th, 2021, the ReStore is also hosting a Fill the Truck donation drive in the parking lot. Bring any non-perishable food items, shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper, paper towels, diapers, baby food, laundry supplies and bottled water to donate. All donations made will be given to local food pantries in Somerset and Hunterdon counties.

Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity aims to build homes, communities and hope through affordable housing. RVHFH feels it is their duty to serve and improve the lives of those living in the community in any way possible, especially when homes are devastated by natural disasters. The programs mentioned above are open to anyone living in Somerset and Hunterdon counties, and RVHFH will be doing whatever they can to provide the services necessary.

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About Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity
Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (RVHFH) puts God’s love into action and brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Our vision is a time when everyone in Hunterdon and Somerset counties has a decent place to live. Since 1991, RV Habitat has been building strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable home ownership opportunities for hard-working, local families. To support these projects by making a donation, please visit www.rvhabitat.org/give or mail a donation to Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 6275 Bridgewater, NJ 08807. For individuals (ages 16+) and groups who would like to volunteer on the Montgomery Township build site, visit rvhabitat.org/volunteer

Pedals for Progress / Sewing Peace Press Release

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Pedals for Progress / Sewing Peace Joins RVHFH Habitat Youth Council to Collect Used Bikes and Sewing Machines

Bedminster, NJ (September 3, 2021) — Pedals for Progress/Sewing Peace, in its continuing effort to recycle unwanted items properly, is having a used bike and sewing machine collection sponsored by Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity with the Habitat Youth Council. Anyone with an adult or child’s bicycle in repairable condition is urged to donate his or her bike to this worthy cause. We do not accept “bikes for parts” or disassembled bikes. We also accept working portable sewing machines and sewing notions (no fabric, please).

Bikes and sewing machines can be dropped off from 9 am to 12 pm on Saturday September 11, 2021 – rain or shine – at the office parking lot of Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (next to Pluckemin Presbyterian Church) located at 285 Rt 202/206, Pluckemin, NJ 07978.

P4P/SP collects 3,000 to 5,000 items annually and transfers this material wealth to those more needy. To date, more than 159,000 bicycles and 5,100 sewing machines have been shipped to developing countries in Latin America, Africa and Eastern Europe. In these countries the bikes are reconditioned by partner agencies and distributed at low cost to poor working adults. Bikes provide reliable transportation for commuting to work, transporting product to market, and greater mobility accessing health care and other services. Sewing machine shipments help initiate educational programs and generate income opportunities that may otherwise remain out of reach for many people. Steady employment for adults is vital to the development and success of struggling communities. 

It costs $45 to collect, process, ship, rebuild and distribute each bicycle. A donation toward shipping costs is necessary for our continued success (suggested $20 per bike and sewing machine, minimum $10). All cash and material donations are fully deductible and a receipt will be provided on site.

For more information please contact Iris Alston at ialston@rvhabitat.org.

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About Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity

Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (RVHFH) puts God’s love into action and brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Our vision is a time when everyone in Hunterdon and Somerset counties has a decent place to live. Since 1991, RV Habitat has been building strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable home ownership opportunities for hard-working, local families. To support these projects by making a donation, please visit www.rvhabitat.org/give or mail a donation to Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 6275 Bridgewater, NJ 08807. For individuals (ages 16+) and groups who would like to volunteer on the Montgomery Township build site, visit rvhabitat.org/volunteer.

About Pedals for Progress/Sewing Peace

Pedals for Progress/Sewing Peace is a 501(c)(3) corporation and a registered charity in the states of NJ, NY, PA, CT, VT. Brochures explaining this innovative program will be available at the collection site. P4P seeks donations of wrenches for our overseas shops. For detailed information about our overseas projects and a current schedule of bicycle and sewing machine collections, visit our website at www.p4p.org.

A Brush With Kindness Press Release

News /

17 Homes Received "A Brush With Kindness" from Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity

Somerville, NJ (August 6, 2021) — In July, Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (RVHFH) partnered with Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church to serve 17 homeowners with home cleanup and repairs. “A Brush with Kindness” is a program where low – moderate income Veterans, elderly and/or disabled homeowners receive small services for free.

Adults, high school and middle school aged volunteers from Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church served homes in Basking Ridge, Bernardsville, Bridgewater, Manville, Martinsville, Neshanic Station and Somerville, New Jersey. This pilot program provided services to homeowners such as water sealing, staining, painting, gardening, repairing wheelchair ramps, replacing railings, rebuilding decks, and other projects.

The impact of this program went much further than the outside of the homes. A Somerville homeowner expressed her gratitude for the program: “These kids will be in my heart forever,” says Linda, “I walk around my house every day, and every time I see the work they did I think of them, how kind they were and what a difference they made in my life.”

While the new waves and Delta-variant of COVID have been leaving many in the community feeling uncertain, this program brought people together to build homes, community and hope. RVHFH and Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church are overjoyed with the success of this year’s “A Brush with Kindness” program, and are looking forward to hosting it again and reaching more families next year.

See below for pictures of some groups and individual volunteers from Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church working at various homes in Somerset and Hunterdon Counties.

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About Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity

Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (RVHFH) puts God’s love into action and brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Our vision is a time when everyone in Hunterdon and Somerset counties has a decent place to live. Since 1991, RV Habitat has been building strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable home ownership opportunities for hard-working, local families. To support these projects by making a donation, please visit www.rvhabitat.org/give or mail a donation to Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 6275 Bridgewater, NJ 08807. For individuals (ages 16+) and groups who would like to volunteer on the Montgomery Township build site, visit rvhabitat.org/volunteer.

About Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church

We are a vibrant, warm, and welcoming community of faith. Those who worship here come from a diverse range of backgrounds, and would describe themselves in a rich variety of ways. We acknowledge our doubt, our struggles, and that we are all quite human and imperfect and that we are each at a unique place on our faith journey. We find our unity, our common identity, in Jesus Christ, and together seek to joyfully worship God and energetically minister to the needs of the world on God’s behalf. Our Worship Sessions are every Sunday morning at 10:00am, and we offer both in-person and virtual worship options. Please visit www.brpc.org for more information and to join us for worship!

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