For Immediate Release: 9/28/2009

‘Welfare to Work’ Home Needs $50,000 Upgrade that was Not Budgeted

PISCATAWAY, N.J., September 28, 2009 – The executive team of Alternatives, Inc. recently put away their business suits and ties and put on jeans and workboots to demolish a “Welfare to Work” home in Piscataway that needs an estimated $50,000 upgrade before it can be occupied. Executives participating included Alternatives, Inc. Vice Presidents Jorge Diaz, Fresia Skoczypec and Carolyn Davis. They worked alongside Directors from all parts of the agency and the Alternatives maintenance crew.

This home is for families with low income from the State’s Welfare to Work Program and it is the only program of its kind in central New Jersey.

The renovation project was not budgeted, but Alternatives realized the property needed significant repairs when it was recently vacated by a prior client. Alternatives has raised $20,500 for the renovation through corporate and foundation donations, but there is still a substantial shortfall during a time when public and private philanthropic support is difficult to secure. The Alternatives executives demolished the first floor of the two-family home to help save on costs. Donors for the project include Somerset Savings Bank and the PSE&G Foundation.

“Desperate times require desperate measures and we realized we could save a few thousand dollars and get closer to having the property occupied if we did the work ourselves,” said Diaz, V.P. of Finance. “We still have a long way to go before the property can be occupied so donor support would be greatly appreciated. But raising funds quickly in the current economic environment is difficult to say the least.”

Alternatives, Inc. is a regional non-profit social service agency for people with a wide range of special needs, including those in need of housing assistance. The Piscataway home provides two subsidized housing units for low-income families that meet state qualifications for housing assistance.

The property is managed by an Alternatives subsidiary, the ADTI Housing Corporation, which is dedicated to the development of affordable housing options for special needs populations and low income individuals and families. ADTI has developed over 100 units of affordable housing while providing comprehensive property and facilities management for ongoing operation of the projects.

Based in Raritan, Alternatives provides residential, employment, and support services to individuals with developmental disabilities, mental illness and other special needs. The agency provides services in Somerset, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth and Warren Counties. For information on Alternatives, please call 908-685-1444 or visit www.alternativesinc.org.
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