NJBIZ

Suburban Propane, two partners help wounded veteran buy a home

Suburban Propane Partners collaborated with Operation Tiny Home and Cornerstone Design Build on Nov. 11 to give a combat-wounded veteran the chance to purchase a custom-built small-footprint house.

Frederic Rosario will purchase a home with up to two bedrooms using a $55,000 grant he received on Veteran’s Day in Longwood, Fla.

“Suburban Propane is incredibly proud to partner with Operation Tiny Home in their mission to provide housing for veterans in need,” said Suburban Propane Spokesperson Nandini Sankara in a statement. “As a supporter of military and veteran initiatives and a veteran employer, we are humbled to play a part in such a wonderful cause and look forward to making a difference in a veteran’s life.”

Representatives from Lyman High School JROTC, Cornerstone Design Build, Operation Tiny Home, Suburban Propane and grant recipient Frederic Rosario. – SUBURBAN PROPANE

This collaboration with Operation Tiny Home is part of Whippany-based Suburban Propane’s SuburbanCares corporate initiative, which supports community efforts across the U.S. This year, SuburbanCares is undertaking charitable endeavors to help children in numerous underserved communities in eight towns in seven states, including in New Brunswick.

“When we provide a veteran with transitional housing, we don’t just walk away; our goal is to create pathways to self-reliance that lead to homeownership and the opportunity to experience themselves as part of the solution,” said Gabrielle Rapport, Operation Tiny Home founder and executive director. “It is only through the generous support of like-minded organizations like Suburban Propane and Cornerstone Build Design Inc. that we can break down barriers to permanent housing and support our veterans with lasting impact.”

In September, Suburban Propane entered an agreement with the United States Army’s Partnership for Youth Success Program to match service members with employment opportunities. At the time, the company said it employs 321 military veterans, 15 of whom are based in New Jersey.

Goodwill expands services for NJ veterans

Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey Inc. in Newark received a $500,000 annual grant for three years from the United States Department of Labor Veterans’ Employment & Training Services to operate a homeless veterans’ reintegration program in seven counties including Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Somerset and Union.

Through this HVRP, Goodwill NYNJ will provide veterans of the United States military with job training, counseling and placement services – including case management, wraparound supports, career services, retention supports, job readiness, literacy, and skills training – to expedite their reintegration into the workforce.

Veterans most likely to experience homelessness are men over age 50 living in cities, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. As members of this age group, they are likely to have more complex age-related needs. Approximately half of veterans who have participated in VA homeless assistance programs are involved in the justice system. Women, although just 9% of veterans who are experiencing homelessness, are more than twice as likely as non-veteran women to experience homelessness.

New Jersey dignitaries help inaugurate the Goodwill NYNJ facility in South Hackensack on July 27, 2020. From left, New Jersey Assembly member Clinton Calabrese, Hackensack Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lauren Zisa, Goodwill NYNJ President and CEO Katy Gaul-Stigge, and South Hackensack Mayor Jim Anzevino. - PRNEWSWIRE — New Jersey dignitaries help inaugurate the Goodwill NYNJ facility in South Hackensack on July 27, 2020. From left, New Jersey Assembly member Clinton Calabrese, Hackensack Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lauren Zisa, Goodwill NYNJ President and CEO Katy Gaul-Stigge, and South Hackensack Mayor Jim Anzevino. – PRNEWSWIRE

In 2020, Goodwill NYNJ provided job placement, training, on-the-job coaching, and retention services for more than 14,000 people, half of them individuals with disabilities. Goodwill NYNJ placed 703 people in jobs in that time, including 345 workers with disabilities, in the technology, health care, accounting, warehousing, security, food preparation and service, and public agencies industries. Goodwill NYNJ also provided behavioral health services to help 1,400 individuals with mental illness.

“Goodwill NYNJ has provided customized training and placement services for the most vulnerable members of our communities for over 106 years, including people with all types of disabilities, formerly incarcerated individuals, those who are unemployed or underemployed, and anybody who has stayed in the margins of the workforce for a long time,” said Katy Gaul-Stigge, Goodwill NYNJ president and CEO, in a prepared statement. “We owe it to our veterans, who have served our country, to support them in their journey to work with dignity. With employers needing to fill vacancies, and we can’t afford to leave anybody behind to find good jobs.”

Veterans interested in learning more about the HVRP or to enroll in the program can call (973) 481-2300 or contact the organization via email.

Edgewood expands affordable housing for vets

Ahead of Veterans Day, a real estate development and management company is extending thanks to New Jersey service members.

Edgewood Properties said Nov. 10 it is increasing the number of veterans’ units available under the affordable housing allotment at properties across its portfolio.

Additionally, on Nov. 11, Edgewood will celebrate the grand opening of The Lofts at Monroe Park, and the groundbreaking for The Lofts at South Toms River–the former featuring a veterans housing component, and the latter set to include one as well.

The Veterans Affordable Housing Initiative is an extension of the Veterans Preference program Edgewood debuted in 2019 with the opening The Edge at Freehold.

Affordable veterans units are currently available at these Edgewood properties:

Centre Place – Edison
The Villas at Fairway – Piscataway
Park Lane at Garden State Park – Cherry Hill
Gabrielle Run – Toms River
Sycamore Landing – Phillipsburg
The Edge at Freehold – Freehold
The Lofts at Monroe Parke – Monroe Township
Fox Hollow – Branchburg

“We as a nation owe a great deal of thanks to our veterans,” said Edgewood Properties Chairman and CEO Jack Morris, who was recently named No. 4 on the 2021 NJBIZ Commercial Real Estate Power 50 list. “We were thrilled when New Jersey re-classified ‘affordable housing’ to include veterans, and were extremely proud to support that legislation. Now we can put words to action and create a more affordable lifestyle for our veterans. It is our obligation to support them.”

The company currently owns and manages more than 20 residential properties in the state with opportunities for veterans. And Edgewood’s development plans include more to come.

The Lofts at Monroe Park includes seven immediately available affordable housing units for veterans, on top of 66 additional age-restricted affordable housing units under construction.

Branchburg’s Fox Hollow is also actively leasing affordable units to veterans on a first-come, first-served basis.

Edgewood said there are approximately 30 additional projects in its development pipeline that include veterans components.

According to Morris, the intends to widen the scope of its accommodations. “This is a tremendous first step in our state,” he said in a statement. “My hope is that someday we can include our first responders in the New Jersey affordable housing mandates.”

The Nov. 11 debut of Monroe Park will start with a breakfast for veterans at the property, 625 Spotswood-Englishtown Road in Monroe Township, at 10:00 a.m. All veterans and first responders are welcome.

$300K grant creates Helmets to Hardhats veteran employment program

National Guard Reserve, retired and transitioning active-duty military members will have access to training opportunities in the construction industry and be assisted with job placement thanks to the Helmets to Hardhats program launching in North Jersey July 20.

The initiative first launched in Jersey City to serve Hudson County veterans, and will soon expand to serve Bergen, Essex and Union counties.

It’s funded with a $300,000-plus grant awarded to the Elizabeth Development Co. from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

“We have been very successful in getting women and minorities into construction union apprenticeships and are excited with now having the resources provided by the state to recruit and train military veterans so they too can have a career as a laborer, carpenter, plumber, or truck driver,” said Commissioner William O’Dea, who is also the executive director to the EDC. “They gave for our country, and now we can give back to them.”

O’Dea and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop announced the program at a press conference July 20.

Fulop’s office is providing support to the application process, in collaboration with the Health and Human Services Department, and commitments for service are received through the Division of Veterans Affairs and the Hudson County/Jersey City Workforce Development Board.

“I’m one of the 7% of Americans who are veterans,” stated Fulop, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. “Jersey City is a diverse community and home to many veterans who proudly serve their country and return home to find themselves in need of work. This program provides that direct connection to meaningful employment, which can often be a major challenge for veterans reintegrating into civilian life.”

Pat Kelleher, president of the Hudson County Building Trades, was instrumental in garnering support for the application, according to Fulop. LIUNA Local #3, OPCMIA Local #29, Teamsters Local 560, and Carpenters Local #253 all provided verbal and written support.

Kelleher said that the grant for Helmets to Hardhats is “vital to increase the participation of women and minority veterans in the building trades.”

Paul Roldan, business manager at LIUNA Local #3, said that “Being part of the Union, guarantees these veterans will have a solid career path that includes fair wages, benefits, and a safe working environment.”

Through the program, the veterans will get hands-on construction training, OSHA-30 certification, and placement assistance.

EDC will work with the American Legion to ensure the program is accessible to as many veterans as possible.

JBJ Soul Foundation to help house homeless vets with $100K donation match

The JBJ Soul Foundation will donate $100,000 to the Veterans Center of Hoboken, American Legion Post 107 announced July 15.

The Post will use it to create new housing and supportive services for homeless veterans.

“We know that even one homeless veteran living on the streets is one too many,” said Commander John Carey of Post 107 in a prepared statement. “They are heroes who served our country and sacrificed, and now need a helping hand. We are grateful to the JBJ Soul Foundation for such a generous grant, which will help make the vision of an expanded Veterans Center a reality.”

Starting July 15, donations from individuals, civic groups, small businesses and corporations will be matched dollar for dollar until the $100,000 is met. Gifts from $25 to $25,000 are eligible.

JBJ Soul Kitchen founders and spouses Dorothea Bongiovi and Jon Bon Jovi celebrate their first college campus location at Rutgers University-Newark on Jan. 22, 2020. – GABRIELLE SAULSBERY

The Post rebuilt its facility, which includes six housing units, after Superstorm Sandy demolished it in 2012. By adding 18 units, the Veterans Center will be able to permanently reduce veteran homelessness in Hudson County.

Jon Bon Jovi said in a prepared statement that he and those at his foundation are “inspired” by the Veterans Center of Hoboken.

“The Center is not only expanding with 18 additional furnished housing units, but is also providing services including physical and mental health care and employment opportunities for these struggling veterans,” he said. “This is exactly the kind of mission and positive impact the foundation is proud to support.”

Since 2006, the JBJ Soul Foundation has helped provide support for more than 700 units of affordable and supportive housing in 11 states for thousands of people including youth and veterans.

Donations can be made online or by mailing a check to 308 2nd St., Hoboken, N.J. 07030.

Select Region or Brand

Upcoming Event

Tag: Veterans

CONNECT

DIGITAL EDITIONS