The Affordable Housing Alliance brings smiles to children during NeighborWorks Week
NEPTUNE, NEW JERSEY – On Friday, June 12th, the Affordable Housing Alliance’s (AHA) Board of Directors, with the help of local partners, residents, and volunteers, will be delivering hundreds of donated gifts to children living in Monmouth County, as part of a weeklong celebration of neighborhood improvement activities nationally recognized as NeighborWorks Week.
During NeighborWorks Week (June 6-13), the AHA and other NeighborWorks organizations across the country will focus on neighborhood change and awareness and host several events that educate, train and inform. The events demonstrate the value of neighbors helping neighbors.
The Alliance coordinated a gift donation campaign called “Gift of Fun” to bring a little ray of sunshine to 346 children and families facing a challenging time during this pandemic, as they have to deal with the stress and discomfort associated with being stuck at home.
“Hosting ‘Gift of Fun’ has been an amazing experience for everyone involved, as we can draw smiles on the faces of children and families who are struggling to get back to normal during this health crisis,” commented Donna M. Blaze, CEO of the Affordable Housing Alliance.
Furthermore, Ms. Blaze mentioned that “fear and isolation can also lead to worsening conditions for people with mental health issues and other underlying health conditions, so being able to raise awareness about this issue by bringing together caring members from our community was very important to us.”
Ray Smith, Chairperson of the AHA’s Board of Directors, explained that “we started GIFT OF FUN not just to put a smile on a child’s face, but to encourage their imagination and help them hope beyond the circumstances of this moment in time.” He added, “Toys are not only viewed as a simple gift; they also bring joy and happiness!”
The Affordable Housing Alliance is part of the national NeighborWorks network, an affiliation of nearly 250 nonprofit organizations located in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. In the fiscal year of 2019, the NeighborWorks network provided 457,200 housing and counseling services; owned and managed 173,700 rental homes, and created 47,100 jobs. The NeighborWorks network was founded and is supported by NeighborWorks America, which creates opportunities for people to live in affordable homes, improve their lives and strengthen their communities.
About the AHA
The Affordable Housing Alliance – a full-service nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding affordable housing resources in New Jersey for 29 years, has a dedicated team of knowledgeable, compassionate difference-makers who work every day to offer rental and home ownership help, mortgage and foreclosure counseling, utility assistance and home buyer education, guiding people through every step of the process to achieve stability, progress, and peace of mind.
For more information about the AHA, please visit housingall.org.
The Affordable Housing Alliance’s mission is to improve the quality of life for all New Jersey residents by developing and preserving affordable housing, providing services to maintain housing affordability, providing housing education, and through helping communities meet their legal and moral housing obligations.
When you give to the Affordable Housing Alliance (AHA), you are helping us continue our more than 20-year commitment to providing homes and services to individuals and families in the communities we live in. Your donation today to the AHA can help make homeownership a reality and improve the quality of life for families and individuals in New Jersey. Gifts can support our general fund, a specific program, or a special project, such as a playground or community room for children. Donate today to the AHA and give the gift of being home.
