Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity Closes Its 21st Home

MANCHESTER - The Monteforte family closed on their home last week. They are ready to move into their new home. It was an emotional moment signing the papers, and the dream of homeownership officially became a reality. This young family is excited for the next chapter in their lives creating memories in their new home.

“We are making our own traditions. We now have a place to sit down and have family dinner and talk about our day,” Maryrose Monteforte said.

John and Maryrose were living in Maryrose’s parent’s basement in Beachwood when they applied for the homeownership program at Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity. They shared this space with their son Lincoln, 5, and daughter, Elliana, who was born in December of last year. This is a great space for this young family to grow up in. Lincoln started kindergarten at his new school in Manchester, and the family is very happy with their new school district. Lincoln goes to school near their new home where Maryrose can walk to pick him up. Maryrose is unable to drive because she suffers from epilepsy, so the location of the home next to the school was an additional benefit to their new home and neighborhood. Lincoln started kindergarten this academic year.

John works as a mechanic six days a week and utilized his days off along with his father, John Sr., Habitat staff, and volunteers to work on his home. This time contributed toward the family's sweat equity hours. Habitat’s mission is to pay-it-forward and is built into each of its programs. Sweat equity hours can take many forms for future homeowners partnering with Habitat. It could be small gestures of kindness such as writing thank you cards or activities such as education for successful long-term homeownership. Maryrose volunteered for outreach events to help spread the word about Northern Ocean Habitat’s home programs.

Northern Ocean Habitat has been a community partner with Manchester township which has donated $200,000 of land for new Habitat homes to be built. Mayor Robert Hudak came to visit during the home dedication of the Monteforte’s home and looks forward to the 22 nd home build to start which will also be in Manchester.

Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity’s 21st home sponsors who helped the Monteforte family realize their dream of becoming homeowners are: Aaron Kitchen and Bath, All County Exteriors, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Ocean County, Carl's Fencing, Decking, & Home Improvements, California Coolers, Christone Electric, Crossroads Realty, Dave and Nan Daly, Ferguson, Garden State Distillery Company, Good Friend Electric Lighting, Horizon Pest Control, Icarus Brewing Co., Jersey Coast Appliance, Last Wave Brewing Co, Manasquan Bank, Manchester Township, Marilyn Clark, New Jersey Natural Gas, OceanFirst Foundation, OCVTS, Omland Family Fund, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, RWJ Barnabas, Toms River NJ, Toms River Brewing, Wells Fargo, Woodhaven Lumber & Millwork Inc.

Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity, a New Jersey-based affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, was founded in 1999. Through volunteerism, skilled labor, and donations of money and materials, the organization rehabilitates and builds safe houses alongside its homeowner/ partner families. Northern Ocean Habitat also operates the ReStore, a retail shop that generates funds through sales of donated goods and keeps materials out of landfills. The ReStore proceeds are to support new home builds and its Neighborhood Revitalization programs. The Neighborhood Revitalization initiative includes the Home Preservation, Housing Plus Aging in Place, A Brush with Kindness, and Veteran Repair programs. These programs provide home renovations addressing health and/or safety issues, all with the goal of keeping residents in the comfort of their own homes. To learn more, visit https://northernoceanhabitat.o...