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“Habitat Saved My Life”: Bridgewater Resident Receives Vital Home Repair Assistance

News / October 25, 2022
Volunteers help paint a home
Volunteers from Avison Young came out as part of their Annual Day of Giving.
Raritan Valley Habitat Construction Supervisor Larry Cascio Painting the Hessenthalers’ Home.

Bedminster, NJ (Oct. 4, 2022) Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (Raritan Valley Habitat) is proud to help Emma and Herbert Hessenthaler of Bridgewater, NJ rehabilitate their home.

The Hessenthalers have lived in their Bridgewater home for the past 42 years. Herbert, who has advanced Parkinson’s and A-fib, has been disabled for nearly sixteen years. This has kept him from being able to do any work around the house or even cut the grass. He is currently in hospital, where Emma has been going back and forth daily to help care for him.

Thanks to the assistance of volunteer groups from Verizon Wireless and Avison Young, Raritan Valley Habitat has been able to clean up the couple’s yard, perform minor carpentry repairs, replace the Hessenthalers’ mailbox and paint the home’s exterior.

“There are no words for your generosity,” says Emma Hessenthaler. “I didn’t expect such professional care, but God threw you people in our yard. You saved my life.”

As she travels between the hospital and home, Raritan Valley Habitat wants to ensure that Emma comes home to a safe and maintained home. The volunteers’ dedication has often caused Emma to cry tears of joy, and her gratitude has been reciprocated throughout the organization.

“Emma and Herbert have both been so appreciative of all the work our volunteers have done,” says Raritan Valley Habitat Construction Supervisor Larry Cascio. “Emma is brought to tears every time a group comes out, and that gratitude is something we want to show her as well. It has been an honor to help restore their home.”

Raritan Valley Habitat’s Home Safety and Repair program 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 (Raritan Valley 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, Raritan Valley Habitat has been building strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership opportunities.

Raritan Valley 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.

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Press Release: Two Families Selected

News / October 25, 2022

Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity Selects Two Families for New Duplex in Raritan Township

Bedminster, NJ (January 12, 2022)
 Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity is excited to announce the selection of two future homeowner families to help build and ultimately purchase two sides of a duplex in Raritan Township.

The two families will work alongside volunteers, donors, and RV Habitat employees to build a two-family home on Raritan Avenue in Raritan Township, NJ. Each household will contribute at least 250 hours toward building, community support, and personal development. Once construction is complete, each will purchase a side of the duplex.

“We are so excited to expand our Habitat family,” says RV Habitat executive director Melissa Flynn. “These future homeowners are thrilled to have the opportunity to build stability and raise their children in such a wonderful community.”

RV Habitat Homeowners are selected through a rigorous application process. They purchase homes at a price they can afford and commit to monthly, interest-free mortgage payments along with taxes and insurance. In addition, each future homeowner commits to partnering with Habitat. They work on building homes, engaging with the community, participating in workshops and learning opportunities, fundraising, and more.

Habitat houses are truly community projects. Volunteers and generous donors fuel every step–from planning to building to homeowner support. Raritan Township donated the land for this project.

The Drew Family
The Rutlege Family

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. 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, visit rvhabitat.org/volunteer.

Raritan Township Groundbreaking Press Release

News / October 25, 2022

Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity Breaks Ground in Raritan Township

Pluckemin, NJ (December 2, 2021) — Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity celebrated the launch of its newest project in Raritan Township on November 19, 2021. The two-story duplex will be built at 1 Raritan Avenue, on the corner of South Main Street.

The ground breaking ceremony marked the beginning of an exciting partnership between RV Habitat and Raritan Township. RV Habitat Executive Director Melissa Flynn said, “We are grateful to Raritan Township, the Fire Department, and everyone who contributed to the donation of this land. These homes will be a huge benefit to the homeowners and their neighbors.”

Future homeowner Daune Drew was joined by Raritan Township Mayor Gary Hazard, Flynn, and RV Habitat Board President Nuno Barboza to sink the very first shovels into the job site. Awesome Caldwell, the daughter of a RV Habitat homeowner, moved the audience to tears with an a cappella rendition of Recover, by Natasha Bedingfield.

“We are so happy to welcome Daune and future Habitat Homeowners to our community. This is a wonderful and welcoming place to live,” said Mayor Hazard. Drew, a single mother with two sons, is eager to provide a solid foundation for her family. “Being a homeowner isn’t just about having a place to live,” she said. “It’s about knowing that I’m building a bit of stability and wealth for my boys to enjoy.”

Habitat homes are truly community projects. Volunteers and generous donors fuel every step–from planning to building to homeowner support.

RV Habitat Homeowners are selected through an extensive application process. They purchase homes and contribute between 250 and 500 “sweat equity” hours in addition to committing to regular mortgage payments. A second family for the duplex will be selected in December.

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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 home ownership opportunities. 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, visit rvhabitat.org/volunteer.

Raritan Township Mayor Gary Hazard, Future Homeowner Daune Drew, and Board President and Vice President, Nuno Barboza and Rita Auld, officially "break ground" on the new home in Raritan Township.
Family, friends, and community gathered at the site of RV Habitat's future home on November 19, 2021.
Left to right: Awesome Caldwell, daughter of RV Habitat Homeowner Cicely Caldwell; Daune Drew, Future RV Habitat Homeowner; and Cicely Caldwell. Above: The ceremonial Future Homeowner's Groundbreaking shovel.
Board Officers Nuno and Rita stand with Executive Director Melissa Flynn, Future Homeowner Daune Drew, Raritan Township Mayor Gary Hazard and Deputy Mayor Scott MacDade.

Raritan Valley Habitat and Wells Fargo Press Release

News / October 25, 2022

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.

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