New Jersey Family Shelter Isaiah House Announces New Board Members

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of Isaiah House. Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com.

Isaiah House, a nonprofit that fights homelessness, hunger and unemployment throughout Essex County—specifically in Newark and the Oranges—announces a new board of directors who will bring fresh input into the management of the 29-year-community organization.

“Isaiah House, has for years, been in need of a board that brings a mix of fundraising and professional management capabilities coupled with a deep sense of commitment to our vision and mission,” said Zammeah Bivins-Gibson, Executive Director of Isaiah House. “Ms. Beveridge and the rest of the board have already made a tremendous impact upon IH. And while we are still facing an historic shortfall in revenues, we are confident in the capabilities of this board to help us close the funding gap.”

Kristen Beveridge joins as the new president of Isaiah House’s board. A resident of South Orange, New Jersey, where she runs a design consultancy, she first got involved with the organization in November 2015 when she dropped off turkeys as part of Short Hills, NJ-based Far Brook School’s Thanksgiving food drive. Ever since, Ms. Beveridge has spearheaded efforts to drive community awareness and engagement with the organization. As part of these outreach initiatives, she has rebuilt Isaiah House’s website and fostered its social media presence on Facebook. Her latest project, “Happy Spaces,” seeks the talents of local interior designers to renovate and modernize Isaiah House’s seven common areas. Ms. Beveridge is married and has two young sons.

Like Ms. Beveridge, Vejay Lalla was first taken by Isaiah House’s mission by way of its partnership with Far Brooks School, where his sons attend. A partner in the marketing, media and technology practices at Davis & Gilbert, a midsized law firm in Manhattan, he lives in Chatham, NJ with his wife and two sons.

Antoinette Littlejohn has been a devoted volunteer at Isaiah House for 21 years. “As we ruminate on the fruitful seeds of our imagination, I am confident that we will be here for 20 more years for those who find themselves socially, financially and economically disenfranchised,” she says. Ms. Littlejohn has lived in South Orange, New Jersey for the past 38 years.

Allan Pasternak is a founding partner of Bamco inc., a manufacturer and erector of wall cladding systems for the commercial construction industry. Allan grew up in Plainfield N.J., attended George Washington University in Washington DC and co-founded Bamco in 1986. He currently resides with his family in Short Hills N.J.

Pasternak was raised by parents with a strong sense of social responsibility, something he carries to this day. Introduced to Isiah House through his affiliation with the Farbrook School, Allan is excited to bring his marketing talents and energy to this worthy cause.

“It’s hard not to want to jump in and roll-up your sleeves to help Zammeah and the entire Isaiah House team,” said Pasternak. “Anyone who visit Isaiah House is taken by how impactful the services are to the whole East Orange community is. The hundreds of people who walk in and out of their doors every day are always a bit better for their time in Isaiah House.”

John Moorman’s driving philanthropic belief is that “we all have an obligation to aid others when they might not have the ability to provide for themselves.” Mr. Moorman is the chief operating officer of Cooperative Counseling Services, a behavioral health agency for children and teens based in Mountainside, NJ, where he also lives.

John Moorman added, “Giving is more than writing a check, it’s putting time, effort and intention into supporting Isaiah House. It is core to who I am, and who my family is to give of ourselves to make a difference in the broader community.”

Richard Prince’s goals for Isaiah House include “strengthening its financial foundation.” Dr. Prince is a vice president at South Plainfield, NJ-based Prolong Pharmaceuticals, a biotechnology firm that focuses on hematological and oncological drug development. He lives in Short Hills, NJ with his family.

Rev. Dr. Terry Richardson celebrates his 20th anniversary this year as the senior pastor of the First Baptist Church, South Orange, NJ. Under his tenure, more than 1,400 new members have joined the congregation and the church’s budget defeated economic pressures to grow from $75,000 to more than $700,000. The church has donated more than $270,000 to community initiatives over the past decade. Dr. Richardson has lived in South Orange for the past 19 years with his wife NaDeen, a teacher and track coach in Newark and a 1988 U.S. Olympic Trials semifinalist in the 400-meter hurdles.

Bernice Mayes was initially a volunteer on the Isaiah House Board at its inception in the late 1980's early 1990's. From 1999-2016 she served in the long standing position as Board President. She states, "My vision for the families of Isaiah House is that they become great citizens with something valuable to contribute to society." Ms. Mayes retired from the Newark Board of Education in 2001 after 29+ years of service.

Isaiah House serves families and individuals throughout Essex County, New Jersey—especially in Newark and in the Oranges—whose lives have been upended by unemployment, drug addiction, illness, teen pregnancy and other crises. Since 1988, Isaiah House has offered an array of services including life skills training, lessons in household and money management, job search assistance, tutoring, medical referrals, and onsite drug and alcohol support groups. The brainchild of a partnership among the Community Service Council of the Oranges and Maplewood (a division of United Way of Essex and West Hudson), the Junior League of the Oranges and Short Hills, and the Concerned Clergy of East Orange, Isaiah House is the only homeless shelter in East Orange and among the few anywhere that allows entire families, including fathers, to shelter together.