The date on a banner hanging in The Center courtyard
read Oct. 3, 2006.
That is when the three-story, $4 million building
at 806 Third Ave. to house and provide services for
people who are HIV-positive or who have AIDS in Monmouth
and Ocean counties was dedicated officially.
On Sunday, staff members, volunteers, residents, clients
and community supporters gathered to mark the first
anniversary of the dedication of the modern building
for The Center organization, which has served the Shore
HIV/AIDS community since 1992 from various locations
in the city. What is different about this location,
in addition to its modernity, is that it can house
up to 25 people.
"It's been wonderful. It's just so great to be
able to provide a home for the 23 people that are living
here now and just realizing that they came from a situation
of homelessness and they have all the support and love
from not only the staff, which is wonderful, but also
volunteers that are here every day," said the
Rev. Robert Kaeding, the organization's director.
The Center is a nonprofit organization that functions
through a combination of professionals and volunteers.
One side of the building, known as The Center House,
has 25 studio apartments, a library, laundry room,
a living room and dining room with a restaurant-style
kitchen.
The kitchen serves a dual purpose. It provides meals
to Center House residents and to clients, who use the
other side of the building during the day. That side
contains a dining and meeting room and is where clients — and
residents — can come for meals or for food pantry
bags and hygiene supplies.
In the back of the building is a courtyard with a
koi pond and gazebo surrounded by engraved brick-pavers
honoring people affected by the disease or who work
to fight it.
"I feel blessed to be living here. The Center
House has a lot of means that have helped me in a lot
of areas in my life that I really needed help in. Father
Bob has made this place just beautiful for everyone," said
Tamsyn Hundemann, 36.
Hundemann has been a resident since June. She is in
a drug rehabilitation program, is learning skills such
as how to use a computer, has a passion for writing
and for koi ponds like the one in The Center courtyard,
and hopes to one day manage a greenhouse or work in
some other area of the horticulture field.
An art auction also was part of Sunday's celebration,
with paintings donated by Ocean Township artist Laura
Brunetti, who provided about 30 of her works.
"My whole philosophy is, art is very healing," said
Brunetti, who plans on teaching art classes to residents
and clients and displaying the paintings around The
Center.
In addition to art classes, Kaeding hopes to use grant
funding to run a wellness center, offering programs
that include yoga, tai chi and therapeutic massage.
John Kowalski, a certified massage therapist from
Red Bank who was at the party Sunday, likely will be
helping clients and residents in that way.
"The Center is a place for growth and love, not
just for the HIV/AIDS community, but also Asbury Park," Kowalski
said.
Volunteer Kathie Rosamilia of Allenhurst called the
new building an "oasis in the city."
And Aleta Galusha of Ocean Township's Oakhurst section,
a Realtor who has been volunteering since 1992, said, "This
beautifies another part of Asbury Park. God bless Father
Bob. He doesn't give up."
In 2003, a city zoning board vote on the application
for the building of 4-2 still failed because five votes,
a majority of the nine-member board, were needed. Moreover,
some on the board said they believed it would not make
sense to locate people with HIV/AIDS, many of whom
contracted the disease through drug use, in a city
where drugs are sold.
The Center, saying the decision was based on potential
residents and not on the proposed location or number
of units, filed a discrimination suit in federal court.
The U.S. District Court in Newark ordered the board
to allow the construction. The city, saying at the
time it really was not opposed to the application,
did not fight the decision.
"I admire what they do," City Manager Terence
Reidy said. "The work they do is very important
work, there's no question about that."
There are about 600 to 700 people in The Center's
database, Kaeding said. |
