Saddle Brook, NJ – June 6, 2023 - On Saturday, June 3rd, Greater Bergen REALTORS® (GBR) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee joined Rebuild Together North Jersey (RTNJ) to participate in a Rebuilding Day event for a family in Ringwood, New Jersey. Greater Bergen REALTORS® partner, Rebuilding Together North Jersey, is part of a national network of nonprofits that provide low-income homeowners with critical repairs and modifications across Bergen and Passaic Counties.
The small but mighty DEI team of six, in collaboration with members of RTNJ, tackled several cosmetic fixes to the homeowner's house, including newly painted ceilings and walls. The crew also replaced the hardwood floors on the main floor of the home, and made repairs to the exterior, including repairs the front steps.
The homeowners of the newly renovated Ringwood home are one of many families belonging to Passaic County Native American tribe, The Turtle Clan of the Ramapough Lenape Nation, who were greatly impacted by the after effects of a toxic waste spill. Due to the hazardous spill, cancer and other severe health problems began to spread within the community, now known to locals as "Cancer Row."
The DEI Committee and RTNJ made it their mission to help the local family, and show them that REALTORS® care about their communities, where it is important that a home must be a safe and comfortable place for a family to live. In lending their time and energy, the team was able to lift the spirits of the Ringwood family, and will continue to participate in Rebuilding Day in the months and years to come!
"I am thankful for the support and high level of commitment of our committee members. Today was such an inspiring and humbling experience. Moments like this are when I definitely count my blessings and remember the importance of helping others." -Dora Omana, 2023 DEI Committee Chair.
The DEI Committee will be hosting a Pride Month Celebration: Lifting LGBTQIA+ Voices In Real Estate on June 28, at GBR headquarters, where esteemed speakers from New Jersey REALTORS® and the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance will be providing insights to homeownership statistics, LGBTQ+ resources, and a panel discussion on bettering client-REALTOR® relationships! The event is free to GBR members, and $10 for the general public to attend.
To learn more about the Pride Month event, and all upcoming events at Greater Bergen REALTORS®, please visit our website: www.greaterbergenrealtors.com
About Greater Bergen REALTORS®
Greater Bergen REALTORS® is a not-for-profit trade organization that serves more than 8,500 REALTOR® members throughout Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic Counties in New Jersey. We empower the success of those we serve by focusing on Connections, Advocacy, Resources, and Education. As the leading voice of real estate in Northern New Jersey, we advocate to protect private property and home-ownership rights.