Montclair High School HOMECorp Teen Council hosts HOMECorp’s Housing Bowl on April 2.
HOMECorp will hold its annual Housing Bowl at Eagle Rock Lanes on April 2. Montclair High School HOMECorp Teen Council will host the event. The Teen “bowlathon” started as a fundraising event for Montclair teens, and now students gather every year to raise money and awareness for HOMECorp. Last year the event raised nearly $12,000.
“The Teen Housing Bowl is great because it brings kids from every school in Montclair together for a terrific cause,” said Joy Kay, Media Director for HOMECorp.
HOMECorp’s mission is to preserve and create affordable housing in Montclair, N.J. while fostering financial empowerment in the community. HOMECorp is a non-profit organization. Residents and religious institutions organized it in 1988 to combat the lack of permanent, affordable Montclair housing.
“My experience with the teen Bowling for HOMECorp event has been overwhelmingly positive. I have been able to witness firsthand the ability of high school students in Montclair to positively impact the socioeconomic diversity that makes our community so special,” said Alex Rosen, President of the Montclair High School HOMECorp Club. Rosen is in his fourth and final year running the fundraiser.
HOMECorp advocates for low, moderate and middle income residents. They acquire property, rental and ownership housing, and work with the Township of Montclair to keep housing costs low. HOMECorp contributes to Montclair’s affordable housing inventory. They also offer financial education services and programs like Housing and Financial Counseling, Foreclosure Prevention and Property Management. HOMECorp sponsors the Julius W. Foster Fund which provides scholarships through Glenfield Middle School. Students participate in a “Read Your Way” book club and complete weekly HOMECorp community service hours throughout the school year.
One of HOMECorp’s biggest projects is the Community Garden. The garden was named in memory of Dorothy Clark, a former tenant. Dorothy’s Garden thrives with the help of volunteers and community residents. HOMECorp tenants and community residents alike can rent a plot or dedicate time to volunteer in the garden. Toni’s Kitchen volunteers work on a plot at Dorothy’s Garden and serve its fresh produce at their kitchen.
It also dedicates its resources to the Montclair Community Farm Coalition, which is a source of healthy vegetables for lower income residents. The Coalition aims to “benefit the community at large by energizing and engaging youth and other residents to develop green space that produces affordable organic vegetables.”
HOMECorp partners with a number of institutions, including the Montclair municipal government, Police and Fire departments and public schools.
It’s a community effort. Join the movement and visit homecorp.org for more information on volunteering and donations.
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