A CHANCE FOR A NEW BEGINNING FOR VETERANS
Photograph and Story by Cindy Merckx/Editor The Sentinel of Gloucester County Weekly Newspaper – Published Week of 11/22/2018 Print Edition
Veterans and their families celebrated the official grand opening and ribbon cutting of Camp Salute Apartment Community on Monday morning, November 19th. They were joined by a long list of elected officials including Lieutenant Governor Sheila Y. Oliver, Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney, Assemblyman John Burzichelli, Gloucester County Freeholder Frank DiMarco, Clayton Mayor Tom Bianco, Congressman elect Jeff Van Drew, representatives from Conifer Realty, New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) Executive Director Charles A. Richman and Paul and Bernadette Blackstock of People for People Foundation.
Camp Salute, which was eight years in the making, had its prior ground-breaking ceremony in September of 2017. The project was completed at record speed and is the first of its kind in the country with 76 apartments. One half of these units were set aside for disabled or homeless veterans.
“In addition to supporting veterans when they are on active duty, we are doing our part in New Jersey to help them when they come home,” said Lieutenant Governor Sheila Y. Oliver, Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs and Chair of the NJHMFA board. “This new apartment complex is part of a statewide effort to provide veterans access to affordable, safe, and decent housing and there is no better way to show support than offering them a place to call home.”
The development is now fully rented and has a waiting list according to Bernadette Blackstock of People for People Foundation. “This community has nineteen disabled veterans and five apartments are home to previously homeless veterans,” said Bernadette. Half of the residents include veterans of the Korean and Vietnam wars and Afghanistan and all of the apartments are occupied. One resident spoke at the event about how much this project means to her and her children.
She and her three daughters were living in a one-bedroom apartment in Vineland when she heard about this project and applied for a three-bedroom apartment. “As a veteran I want to say that I am so grateful,” said Camp Salute resident Rebecca Edwards. “This has made my dream come into fruition for me and my daughters. It has made this year a brighter and more promising one and we want to thank you for welcoming us.”
“This project demonstrates the value of residents and organizations working together in service to the community to achieve a common goal,” said Senator Steve Sweeney. “This will expand affordable housing in the region with a preference for veterans who have served and sacrificed for all of us. We want to make sure they have access to a suitable and affordable place to call home for themselves and their families.”
Proclamations were presented by State Legislators and County Freeholders to Paul and Bernadette Blackstock of Franklinville for their dedication and commitment to helping veterans find permanent housing. Their organization People for People Foundation now has a headquarters located at the Camp Salute Apartment Complex that includes workshops and also coordinates activities and support groups to help veterans with a number of needed services. (Photo of Veteran Rebecca Edwards)