Brick Awards $41,000 In Grants To Community Groups

Community groups that help meet the needs of Brick Township residents received more than $41,000 in grants Tuesday night at the Brick Township Council meeting.

Mayor John G. Ducey presented the checks to representatives of 10 organizations, in amounts ranging from $1,000 to $15,000. The grants are from funding the Township receives as part of the federal Community Development Block Grant program, through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“The township identifies issues of concern in the community and then provides the federal funds to the organizations most appropriate to address those issues,” township officials said in a news release prior to the meeting. The total awarded this year is $41,236.

“The organizations that we are honored to support through our CDBG program have an enormous impact on our community and the Jersey Shore. It is impossible to calculate how many lives are touched by and how many people will be helped by them,” Ducey said. “We are honored and privileged to help each one of these groups in their missions to make people’s lives better.”

The township’s CDBG efforts are administered by Rehabco/Oross Associates located on Mantoloking Road in Brick. Ervin Oross works with the township to identify community needs, submit the funding applications to HUD, and disburse the funds to the local service providers.

“These organizations rely heavily on the kindness of volunteers and the generosity of donors. I encourage any resident who wants to make a difference to reach out to one of these organizations to see how you can help,” Ducey said.

The 2015 CDBG Recipients are:

• Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity, $15,000: Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity is making a difference in Ocean County by building and renovating houses so that there is adequate housing in decent communities in which every person can live and grow to their full potential. This grant award will go toward their A Brush With Kindness Program which will be used specifically for home restorations in Brick. For more information visit www.nofhf.com.
• Community Services Inc. / Meals on Wheels, $9,500: Through its ‘Meals on Wheels’ program, Community Services Inc. provides nutritious meals to homebound elderly in their own homes. The program also serves meals daily to seniors at the Brick Township Senior Center on Adamston Road. For more information, please call 732-367-1400 or the Brick Senior Center at 732-920-8686.
• Ocean County Hunger Relief, $4,000: Ocean County Hunger Relief provides emergency food assistance for needy people. They operate 38 food pantries throughout Ocean County. They may be reached at 732-349-1500.
• Dottie’s House, $3,500: Dottie’s House provides transitional housing for victims of domestic violence and their children. These grant funds will help offset the operating costs for the transitional housing facility. They may be reached at 732-295-7380.
• Interfaith Hospitality Network, $3,000: There are times when families face becoming homeless because of personal, financial or medical reasons. Interfaith Homeless Assistance provides a safety net program for Brick Township residents who face becoming homeless. They may be reached at 732-370-1550.
• Ocean’s Harbor House, $1,500: Ocean’s Harbor House provides free short-term shelter and crisis intervention for male and female youth ages 10-17. Any youth who is homeless, has runaway, been thrown away or abused, or is otherwise in need of immediate intervention may find help 24 hours a day at this safe haven. Their Shelter Services 24 Hours/Day Hotline is 732-929-0660 and their Outreach Center phone number is 732-929-4001.
• ARC of Ocean County, $1,500: The Arc, Ocean County Chapter advocates for, provides supports and empowers children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families, ensuring they are accepted and valued as citizens of our community. The Arc does this through vocational, recreational, family support, residential, transportation and primary medical care programs. Their phone number is 732-363-3335 ext. 115.
• Church of Visitation Lunch Program, $1,236: The Church of the Visitation on Mantoloking Road hosts a community lunch on the third Wednesday of each month. Lunches are free and available from noon to 1 p.m. For more information call 732-255-2835.
• Big Brothers /Big Sisters of Ocean County, $1,000: Big Brothers / Big Sisters of Ocean County provides community and site-based mentoring services for young people throughout the county. This year’s grant will help offset funds for Big Brothers to start a mentoring program in Brick’s elementary schools. They may be reached 732-905-5349.
• Jersey Shore Council, Boy Scouts of America, $1,000: Boy Scouts of America – Jersey Shore Council, headquartered in Toms River, serves more than 6,000 young people in four Jersey Shore counties. It is among the largest youth serving organizations in the state of New Jersey led by approximately 2,000 volunteers. More than 100 community organizations, representing educational, religious, non-profit, civic, and business organizations join in partnership with Jersey Shore Council by chartering 200 Scouting units (packs, troops, teams, crews, posts and groups). The Boy Scouts will use these funds to provide scholarships for low- to moderate-income kids in Brick to attend their summer camp program. For more information visit www.jerseyshorescouts.org.