State Farm Grant Supports Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity’s Critical Home Repair for Bound Brook Ida Victim
Bedminster, NJ (June 7, 2022) Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (RV Habitat) is proud to help Eileen Strasko of Bound Brook, NJ get back into her home following its destruction by Hurricane Ida.
Seventy-one-year-old Strasko has been displaced since Hurricane Ida hit in September 2021. Her home of more than fifty years was completely flooded in the storm, destroying the downstairs floors, walls, and appliances, as well as the entire electrical, plumbing, and heating systems. Unable to stay in the house, Strasko has been forced to live in a series of hotels, draining her financial and emotional resources. Essentially blind and unable to walk without a walker, Strasko cannot drive. Her current living situation–far from her neighbors and support system–leaves her virtually stranded alone in a hotel room. Doctor visits and errands are now expensive taxi rides away.
“I’ve been devastated to be out of my house,” says Strasko. “I’m so grateful to Habitat for its help. I didn’t know who to turn to otherwise.”
Fueled by a $20,000 State Farm grant and State Farm volunteers, RV Habitat replaced the heating, electrical, and plumbing systems in the home as well as first-floor insulation and sheetrock. RV Habitat volunteer teams—including students from the Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School (SCVTHS) Carpentry Program—continue to make the home ready for habitation. They’re installing flooring, spackle, and paint, and cleaning up along the way.
“We are so grateful to State Farm for allowing us to do this important work,” says RV Habitat Executive Director Melissa Flynn. “Eileen can’t keep living in hotels. And we could never have achieved all of this without the State Farm grant and our amazing volunteers.”
Critical Home Repair is part of RV Habitat’s Home Safety and Repair program, which includes Brush with Kindness (small exterior clean-up and maintenance), Small Repairs (like installing sheetrock, flooring, cabinets, or window panes), and Critical Home Repairs (larger repairs like roof or furnace replacement). Homeowners in need of repairs should contact Jessica Abbott at 908-704-0016, ext. 117 or visit rvhabitat.org/home-safety-repair for information and application details.
About Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity
Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (RV Habitat) 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 homeownership opportunities.
RV Habitat is currently building a duplex in Raritan Township for two new homeowner families, working toward building a Veteran home in Somerville, and growing our Repair Program. 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 and groups who would like to volunteer, visit rvhabitat.org/volunteer. To shop, donate, or volunteer at our ReStore, visit rvhabitatrestore.org.