Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County

Want to join Mack-Cali in making a difference? Mack-Cali's Woman's Leadership Network is raising money to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County, and any donation will help make an impact. 

Habitat Bergen is currently building a three-bedroom, single family home for a veteran family at 95 Sand Road in Westwood.  This home is a handicap adaptable home for a veteran family.  This home is available to household size of three to six. 

The mission of Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County is to provide decent, affordable homes for hardworking Bergen County families. We join in a common goal with other affiliates of this international organization to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness by working in partnership with people in need.  Using volunteer labor and donated funds and materials, Habitat builds or rehabilitates simple, decent, homes and sells them to low income families through a zero-interest mortgage. Habitat is a people-to-people partnership, which joins together all people regardless of race, nationality, religion or socioeconomic status. For more information visit www.habitatbergen.org.

Bergen County Youth United is a youth-led volunteer program that mobilizes high school aged youth for Habitat for Humanity's mission to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness. We engage the community with education, advocacy, fundraising and building. Youth United creates a sustainable volunteer base through development of youth leaders who are advocates of decent, affordable housing.​ Youth United also provides opportunities for leadership, including participation in strategy sessions, sharing committees and serving on the Steering Committee. Please join us in raising funds for a worthy cause.

I am beyond excited to run the 2019 New York City Half Marathon with Habitat for Humanity Bergen County. Growing up with two older brothers, competitiveness has been a part of my everyday routine. I have always strived to be the best in everything I did and compete with them regardless of the fact that I was not only a girl, but younger as well. As a result, I began playing competitive sports at the ripe age of four – at that time, playing on an all-boys soccer team. I dabbled in many sports, playing softball, basketball, and soccer, but soon realized that my talents lied in soccer and constantly dreamed of playing Division I at a collegiate level. Running, as you probably know, is a key component of the game.

I went on to fulfill my dreams and played college soccer at Boston College starting in 2014. Unfortunately, throughout my sophomore year, I began suffering from my eventual career-ending injury – I was diagnosed with Compartment Syndrome in my calves, a rare, painful and dangerous condition caused by pressure buildup. This occurred in not just one of my calves, but both. I would run for ten minutes, and suddenly my calves would tighten up, my feet would grow numb, and I would not be able to run anymore. I had surgery on my legs hopeful that I would eventually be able to run again for longer periods of time. Fortunately, today, I am back to running for longer than ten minutes – just with six scars on my legs to show for it. This marathon signifies many things for me – not only overcoming this rare condition as a whole but hitting a mile stone in my journey after surgery, all the while running for an organization that means a lot to me.

Since my high school era where I attended Immaculate Heart Academy in Washington Township, New Jersey – an all-girls Catholic private institution – it was required that I completed community service hours in order to graduate. As a young woman who is privileged and blessed to have been brought up in the situation that I did, I selflessly yearned to be able to give to those who have less. In high school, I decided to work very closely with Habitat for Humanity Bergen County, helping to build homes across the county. This not only changed my outlook on life but taught me the meaning of giving unselfishly.

Want to join me in making a difference? Any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

More information about Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County: Our mission is to provide decent, affordable homes for hardworking Bergen County families. We join in a common goal with other affiliates of this international organization to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the face of the earth by working in partnership with people in need. Using volunteer labor and donated funds and materials, Habitat builds or rehabilitates simple, decent, homes and sells them to low income families at cost but with no interest charged.