HOMECorp Celebrates 25 Years in Montclair

Homes of Montclair Ecumenical Corp. will celebrate its 25th annivesary on April 25 starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Conference Center at Montclair State University, located at 1 Normal Ave.

Twenty-five years ago a small group of Montclair residents and clergymen, concerned that the escalating real estate prices would squeeze out the town’s low-income residents, banded together to protect and provide decent and affordable housing for those residents.

Homes of Montclair Ecumenical Corp., or HOMECorp, was then born. It began a mission that has resulted in the provision of 100 housing units for 150 families, offered first time home buyers educational seminars and has played an essential part in Montclair’s efforts to maintain an economically and ethnically diverse community. 

And now HOMECorp is celebrating. 

Two of HOMECorp’s longest serving volunteers, Emil Schattner and Cal Trevenen, and the 1988 Charter Board of Trustees will be honored at the 25 Year Celebration on April 25. 

Honorary Co-Chairs Linny, Rick Andlinger, and Jack Bowers and Karin Nelson will host the event along with Board of Trustees President Shelley Phillips and Executive Director Beverly Riddick.

Riddick said, “HOMECorp continues to preserve our community by providing housing choices for all residents. We have much to celebrate.”

Rev. Edwin D. Leahy, O.S.B. Headmaster of St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, will give the keynote address. 

A cocktail hour will begin at 6:30 p.m., and be followed by dinner from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Tickets range from $500 for a benefactor,  $275 for a patron and $125 for a friend. 

HOMECorp’s community building has extended to the creation of a community garden and farm on Miller Street where students and adults work together.

Glenfield Middle School children compete to earn HOMECorp’s Julius W. Foster Community Commitment Award. Teenagers from area schools, local churches and synagogues regularly volunteer their services at HOMECorp properties and offices at 1 Woodland Ave.

More information and tickets can be obtained by contacting HOMECorp at (973) 744-4141, sending an email to homecorp@verizon.net, or going to www.homecorp.org.