Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County and Long Branch High School partner for House that Youth Built

On March 18 and 19, Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County (HFHMC) and Long Branch High School (LBHS) will host a two-day kick-off for the House that Youth Built Project. The project is a collaboration between LBHS's Project Lead the Way program and Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County. A special ceremony will be held on the grounds of the former Long Branch High School at 391 Westwood Avenue in Long Branch at 10:30 a.m.

"We had such an amazing response with our youth for last year's House that Youth Built. We are thrilled the students at Long Branch High School have responded with the same enthusiasm. They will have a hands-on experience, not only building the home but, also designing its floor plans! It's an awesome education and it is helping a family in need," said Ray Gabler, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County.

The partnership between Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County and LBHS has been a year in the making, spearheaded by Dennis O'Keefe, a Long Branch High School teacher and the Project Lead the Way monitor. Project Lead the Way is a civil engineering program at Long Branch High School where students apply science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to solve complex, open-ended problems in a real-world context. They learn how to apply STEM knowledge, skills and habits of mind to make the world a better place through innovation.

"For decades we have been attempting to teach our students lessons in altruism. The most important lessons our children can learn are how to spread positive influence, especially in their respective community. This project with Habitat for Humanity allows our students to put theory into practice. It allows the years of conceptual knowledge to come to life, which will be remembered forever," commented Dr. Michael Salvatore, Superintendent of Schools for Long Branch.

Funding for the House that Youth Built project has been generously provided through grants awarded by the American Honda Foundation ($65,000), the Walmart Foundation ($25,000) and State Farm Insurance's Youth Service-Learning Grants ($4,000). This support will off-set the building costs of the house. Local students from across the service area, including members of local Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapters, will continue to fundraise for the project. HFHMC has been accepting applications for the home to be located in Long Branch. The chosen partner family, will purchase the home with a 0% interest mortgage and complete "sweat equity" hours to work alongside students and volunteers to build their home.

"Through grant giving, the American Honda Foundation seeks to develop youth in the areas of math, science, engineering, technology and literacy," said Alexandra Warnier, manager at American Honda Foundation. "We are proud to partner with Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County on its important contribution in this area and look forward to the impact and results that will be achieved."

For more information about Habitat for Humanity, to volunteer or donate to the House that Youth Built please visit www.habitatmonmouth.org.

About American Honda Foundation
Established in 1984, the American Honda Foundation (AHF) makes grants to non-profit organizations that benefit the people of the United States in the areas of youth and scientific education, with a specific focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects in addition to the environment. AHF engages in grantmaking that reflects the basic tenets, beliefs and philosophies of Honda companies, which are characterized by the following qualities: imaginative, creative, youthful, forward-thinking, scientific, humanistic and innovative. Since its inception, more than $35 million has been awarded to organizations serving approximately 116 million people in virtually every state in the U.S. For more information, please visit http://www.foundation.honda.com.

About Philanthropy at Walmart
By using our strengths to help others, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation create opportunities for people to live better every day. We have stores in 28 countries, employing more than 2.2 million associates and doing business with thousands of suppliers who, in turn, employ millions of people. We are helping people live better by accelerating upward job mobility and economic development for the retail workforce; addressing hunger and making healthier, more sustainably-grown food a reality; and building strong communities where we operate and inspiring our associates to give back. Whether it is helping to lead the fight against hunger in the United States with $2 billion in cash and in-kind donations or supporting Women's Economic Empowerment through a series of grants totaling $10 million to the Women in Factories training program in Bangladesh, China, India and Central America, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are not only working to tackle key social issues, we are also collaborating with others to inspire solutions for long-lasting systemic change. To learn more about Walmart's giving, visit http://www.foundation.walmart.com.

About State Farm Insurance

The mission of State Farm is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers of auto, home and individual life insurance in the United States. Its 18,000 agents and more than 65,000 employees serve more than 82 million policies and accounts - nearly 80 million auto, home, life, health and commercial policies, and nearly 2 million bank accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 41 on the 2015 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com.

About Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County Campus Chapters
An affiliate campus chapter is a student-run, student-led organization that performs four main functions: building, fundraising, education and advocating and must have a covenant partnership with a local affiliate. Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County has two active Campus Chapters in the service area - Rumson Fair Haven High School and Marlboro High School. For more information about starting a Campus Chapter, please contact info@habitatmonmouth.org.

About Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County
Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County (HFHMC), serving Northeast and Western Monmouth County, is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity with the mission to put God's love into action. The organization brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope and a vision of realizing a decent place to live. HFHMC seeks to eliminate sub-standard housing and help low-income families achieve the dream of homeownership throughout its service area. It works with communities to develop decent and affordable housing where people can live and raise their families. In 2013, the affiliate hosted a Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project site in Union Beach to continue Sandy Relief projects in the area. The combined affiliate has built 48 new homes and assisted over 100 families in Sandy related projects in Monmouth County. HFHMC currently services 83% of Monmouth County and includes the following towns and municipalities: Aberdeen, Allentown, Atlantic Highlands, Colts Neck, Deal, Eatontown, Englishtown, Fair Haven, Farmingdale, Freehold Borough, Freehold Township, Hazlet, Highlands, Holmdel, Howell, Keansburg, Keyport, Little Silver, Long Branch, Manalapan, Marlboro, Matawan, Middletown, Millstone Township, Monmouth Beach, Morganville, Ocean Township, Oceanport, Red Bank, Rumson, Sea Bright, Shrewsbury Township, Tinton Falls, Union Beach, and West Long Branch. For more information visit www.habitatmonmouth.org.

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