Monmouth Medical Center provides support to local families who dream of home ownership.
There’s no place like home, but affordable housing is out of reach for many. To help local families find reasonably priced residences, Monmouth Medical Center (MMC) donated $20,000 to Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County (HFHMC). It’s not the first time the hospital has supported the organization, whose mission is to help low-income families achieve the dream of homeownership throughout its service area. MMC has helped fund the construction of three new affordable homes in Monmouth County.
The first, a two-family home in Atlantic Highlands, was built in the spring of 2018. The other two—three-bedroom, one-bath homes—are currently being built in the Troutman’s Creek neighborhood in Long Branch.
“To expand our community reach and help our neighbors in need, we partner with organizations like Habitat for Humanity to bring about positive change,” says Eric Carney, Chief Executive Officer of MMC. “ We want to improve the social, economic and environmental conditions that contribute to poor health and reduced life expectancy, and believe that we can have the biggest impact by partnering with other local organizations.”
Building stability and self-reliance
HFHMC, which has built more than 52 new homes and continues to support families in the area, is grateful for MMC’s generosity. “The hospital has been instrumental in our mission to build strength, stability, self-reliance and shelter in our community,” says Diane Kinnane, Executive Director of HFHMC. “This donation will go toward helping families live safely and affordably.”
Housing authority leadership
Maritza Berrios, a Senior Guest Services Representative who has worked at MMC for more than 30 years, was recently appointed Commissioner for the Long Branch Housing Authority (LBHA). She joins six other Long Branch residents on the Board of Commissioners. The LBHA provides residents with alternatives for sustainable housing, economic development opportunities and self-sufficiency programs in the community and throughout the state.
Berrios helps the LBHA review their financial reports and implement new policies, but what she enjoys most is providing guidance to community members with housing problems. “Recently, a woman came to me because she was going to lose her apartment,” says Berrios. “She poured her heart out to me, and I gave her some phone numbers and advice. A few weeks later, she thanked me. It was a great feeling to know I was able to help her.”
Learn more about Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County.