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September 28, 2021SOMERSET – Only two months after the ribbon was cut and the building blessed, signifying the opening of the brand-new housing complex in Edison, the St. Paul the Apostle Senior Residence was one of only two projects selected as the Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey’s “Project of the Year.”
Honored during an awards reception held on Sept. 27 at The Palace at Somerset Park in Somerset, the St. Paul the Apostle Senior Residence was recognized as part of the association’s 23rd Annual Supportive Housing Awards, which acknowledges “the need for safe, affordable, and supportive housing” as one of the greatest essentials in the state for a wide variety of needs and people.
“This year, facing the challenges added by a pandemic, two projects have risen up to continue developing housing supporting the diverse lives of residents in our communities,” the association said in an email, announcing this year’s honorees. “We pay tribute to these projects for their dedication to developing these housing opportunities to serve communities with affordable and supportive options for living.”
A project between Domus Corporation and Metuchen Community Services Corporation, an agency that works in partnership with Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, the St. Paul the Apostle Senior Residence will soon welcome its first residents, four years after receiving funding for the 42,788 square-foot facility.
The senior residence is the first project to be undertaken by Metuchen Community Services Corporation and the thirteenth for Domus Corporation, their first in Middlesex County, since the not-for-profit was founded in 1995. Domus Corporation serves as the housing development corporation on all permanent-housing initiatives for the Archdiocese of Newark.
With 42 affordable housing units for residents 62 and over, 11 of those designated for homeless senior citizens, the facility is constructed wholly for those who are considered low income by federal poverty standards and is expected to bring a meaningful presence to the community.
During the July dedication ceremony and blessing of the expansive three-story building, located at 635 Amboy Ave. in Edison, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, Archbishop of Newark, said the newly built senior residence celebrates “a connection with those who are often forgotten, those who are seniors.
“We thank God for all here present who allowed this to come about. This is a sign of victory; a sign of hope and I sure am grateful for it,” the cardinal said in his remarks at the dedication ceremony, which was held only days before the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, as declared by Pope Francis and observed on July 25, close to the feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus.
The St. Paul the Apostle Senior Residence is situated across the street from Our Lady of Peace Church, with Catholic Charities’ Edison Family Service Center enveloping its other side, where it sits on a well-manicured lot that was once home to the annex building formerly owned by the parish.
First initiated under the leadership of Bishop Emeritus Paul G. Bootkoski of Metuchen, who was present for the dedication ceremony and for whom the building is named, the senior residence was nearly six years in the making. By all accounts, the project was a collaborative effort, relying on the partnership between the Archdiocese of Newark, the Diocese of Metuchen and many others.
“The name of the building is St. Paul the Apostle and, of course, it is honoring a great apostle, but it also is a subtle way of honoring my predecessor too,” Metuchen Bishop James F. Checchio said in his remarks, acknowledging Bishop Emeritus Paul G. Bootkoski, who served as the fourth Bishop of Metuchen until May 2016, when Bishop Checchio was ordained and installed as Bishop of Metuchen. “He was the one who helped to come up with this project and I am grateful for that today.”
In his blessing, before he and others moved outside to cut the ribbon that would officially signify the opening of the building, Bishop Checchio said “when we serve those in need, it is Christ Himself we serve.”
“In this realization then, let us ask for God’s blessing on all those who will reside at St. Paul the Apostle Senior Residence and also upon all those who will devote themselves to caring for the residents here,” he continued. “Let us pray in thanksgiving for all those who have made this day possible and let us ask for the divine blessing on this building as it gets ready to accept its first residents.”
The facility, which Cardinal Tobin and Bishop Checchio both toured, features 41 one-bedroom units and one two-bedroom unit. The residence contains an activity room, a community room that can be partitioned in half with a kitchen to support the rooms, management offices, a common laundry room with adjacent lounge, a large lobby and maintenance areas.
“What an extraordinary year this has been for all of us,” said John Westervelt, president of Domus Corporation, who served as the emcee of the dedication ceremony and was also present to receive the award from the Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey. “Despite many challenges, I am delighted to be here as the vision becomes a reality to all of us who had a little part in designing this building.”
Affordable housing is very much needed throughout this state, said Westervelt, who added that St. Paul the Apostle Senior Residence is a special project, “ideally suited for the town of Edison.”
“I am confident that the residence will add a meaningful presence to the fabric of this community,” he said.
To learn more about Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen and its 100 programs and 20 service areas, which provide a path to self-sufficiency and hope for a brighter future for people from all walks of life, all races, all religions and all economic levels, visit www.ccdom.org.
