Short Hills Resident Jane P. Houston to be Honored

Jane P. Houston of Short Hills will receive the Shipley Family Award for Philanthropic Endeavors at Greater Newark Conservancy’s “Making Our City Bloom Gala” on May 10^th at Nanina’s in the Park in Belleville.

“Jane has been a major contributor to our programs and the people we serve as a tireless volunteer,” noted Robin Dougherty, the Conservancy’s Executive Director. “Her energy and enthusiasm has been an inspiration to everyone dedicated to the mission and work of Greater Newark Conservancy.”

Houston graduated from Wheaton College with a degree in political science and has held jobs in both Education and Commercial Real Estate. She has always been passionate about volunteering and has supported a variety of organizations including Project Broad Jump, a program for teens funded by the Ford Foundation, Isaiah House a Shelter for Homeless Families in East Orange and more recently as a trustee for Interweave, an interfaith organization.

As a Conservancy volunteer, Houston has taken professional photos of the Living Lab Program that was designed to engage schoolchildren with environmental learning opportunities. She also provided the first Capacity Building Grant to help launch the Conservancy’s City Bloom Landscaping Program. Through the program, the Conservancy and the New Jersey Reentry Corporation provide job and life skills training for hundreds of Newark and Essex County residents as they move towards full-time employment and reclaimed lives.

The Conservancy also provides educational programs that enrich the lives of thousands of inner city children from pre-school to high school. Sustainably-raised produce grown on the Conservancy’s urban farms in Newark increase access to fresh, nutritious food for thousands of low income residents of the City, including many senior citizens.

Linda Bowden, New Jersey Regional President of PNC Bank, will be the event emcee. Other honorees include Hugo and Marilyn Pfaltz, who will receive the “Founder’s Award”, Sharon and Bill Brown, the “Nelson Mandela Freedom Award”, and Don “Skip” Browne, “Joan D. Murray Volunteerism Award”.

You can support the continued good work of the Conservancy, which has earned a 4-star rating for sound fiscal management from Charity Navigator, the nation’s premier charity evaluator, by purchasing tickets for the Gala on Thursday, May 10th, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. To reserve tickets online, visit bidpal.net/citybloomgala or call 973.642.4646.

For more information about the benefit, including sponsorship opportunities and ad placement, visit www.citybloom.org. You can also visit the site to learn about other programs and services and volunteer opportunities and follow the Conservancy on social media at Facebook.com/GreaterNewarkConservancy, plus Twitter and Instagram - @Citybloom87.