Max Fisher will be bestowed the great honor of Moorestown Citizen of the Year by the Moorestown Service Clubs for his years of service as a volunteer firefighter and former chairperson of MEND. The award will be presented on February 5, 2020 at the Moorestown Community House.

Fisher was unanimously selected by the Moorestown Service Clubs (Breakfast and Lunch Rotary, and Lions) for this year’s award, which recognizes special individuals in Moorestown who have demonstrated great leadership and selfless through their volunteer work and dedication to the community.

For the past 30 years, MEND has been a proud member of the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey (HCDNNJ), a statewide association that supports the creation of housing and economic opportunities for low-to-moderate-income communities. To mark their 30^th anniversary, the HCDNNJ released its 2019 economic impact study, “Thriving Together,” to show how non-profit community development corporations (CDCs) contributed to the success of New Jersey’s economy from 2014 to 2019. The numbers are staggering.

Ahaji first heard of MEND through word of mouth. As a single parent, she was having trouble making ends meet and needed a more affordable housing solution. She also wanted to live in a nice, safe environment where she could raise her son.

MEND Presents at the 2019 Governor’s Conference on Housing & Economic Development

Vacant and abandoned properties are more than a major eyesore – they can be a major obstacle for revitalization. Whether residential, commercial or formerly industrial, dilapidated structures often devalue properties, promote crime and reduce neighborhood quality of life.

For many children, selecting a new backpack is a “rite of passage,” signifying the start of the school year.

What we may not realize is that many families struggle financially when it’s time to send their kids to school, and items, like a backpack, are an added cost to a tight budget.

Who exactly are the “Friends of MEND” and what do they do?

Friends of MEND, Inc. is a New Jersey nonprofit corporation recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 organization and is governed by a local Board of Trustees.