For Immediate Release:

April 30, 2013

Fair Housing group recognizes student artwork

Grand-prize winner Matteo Miguel Agresti from the St. Jerome Catholic School, West Long Branch and the 24 other winners received awards from Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone and NJ HUD Regional Director Diane J. Johnson. 

“Using art to express the importance of fair and affordable housing in Monmouth County is a great educational tool,” said Arnone, who was joined by Freeholders Lillian G. Burry and John P. Curley at the awards presentation. “This annual school-based project helps promote nondiscrimination and assists us as we work to ensure fair and equal housing opportunities for all.”

The 25 student winners were selected from more than 400 entries. The artwork was judged by the County’s community development staff and representatives from HUD, which narrowed the field to 60. The County’s Fair Housing Board selected the 25 winners.

“A top priority of the Freeholders is to support fair housing in all of our 53 municipalities,” said Curley, liaison to the County Department of Human Services. “I commend our children for conveying this awareness through their outstanding artwork.”

All of the winning artwork will be featured in the County’s 2014 Fair Housing calendar. The grand-prize artwork will adorn the cover; each first-place winners’ artwork will be paired with a different month and the honorable mention winners will be featured on one page.

“This annual art project is a great reminder to all of us about the importance of fair housing,” said Burry. “The artwork shows that these students have a great understanding of fair housing.”

The awards were distributed on Sunday, April 21 at a luncheon held at Branches. The grand prize winner received a check for $400, first prize winners received a check for $200 and the honorable mention winners received a check for $100.

The County’s Fair Housing Office is a division of the Monmouth County Planning Board that works to educate residents about diversity and eradicate discrimination in housing.