A MESSAGE FROM SETH KAPER-DALE, CEO, RCHP-AHC

Dear RCHP-AHC Friends, 

It is impossible to work on other stuff in your life if you cannot get a good night's sleep. 

When we started RCHP-Affordable Housing Corporation, in 2006, it was because a group of us at RCHP had become convinced that a ‘grace filled’ solution to someone’s unstable housing was to load the blessings on the front end so that rebuilding a life could start with sleep!

If you cannot get a good night's sleep, how can you work on mental health issues, holding down a job, reconciling with family, dealing with addiction, going back to school? The approach to affordable housing had started to change in the early 2000’s, from “temporary housing” or “housing programs,” to “Permanent Supportive Housing.” We started riding the Permanent Supportive Housing wave as soon as we learned of it. 

“Permanent Support Housing” felt to me like another word for the theology of my church. We believe that God says “yes, I love you!” to each and every one of us before we have a chance to say “yes” or “no.” It is God’s desire to load us with blessings of safety, comfort, kindness, support, and, when that happens, the ‘response’ from most human beings is to respond in ways that reflect that kind of abundant grace. 

We have worked with various ‘populations’ (I dislike that word, by the way…because.... 

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FEATURE STORY

In Loving Memory of Jean Stockdale – July 7, 1951 – October 25, 2025 

Co-founder of Who is My Neighbor? Inc (WIMNI), still going strong today, Jean created several programs during her time as Director: Camp PowerGirls, The Cave After-School Drop-in Center, The Cave Camp for Boys, Camp Creative, and A Better World Cafe. After several years of operating a fair-trade store out of the RCHP church basement, she persuaded Ten Thousand Villages to open a fair-trade store in downtown Highland Park...... 

These are just a few of Jean’s MANY accomplishments over the past 25 years in her time at The Reformed Church of Highland Park. In more recent years, Jean guided the ship that’s called Still Waters, assisting and advocating for survivors of human trafficking. We’d like to share a few reflections from those who knew her well. 

Andrea’s Reflection  

Submitted by Andrea Mendez-Perez, Director of I-RISE S. Jersey office 

When I look back to the beginning of my journey in this field, I always return to September 2019, my first day at RCHP as a MSW student. I was nervous because internships can set the tone for your future, opening opportunities or sometimes closing them. I worried about whether I would fit within a faith-based agency when that was not my background, or whether the environment would feel right for me. But then I met Jean and everything shifted. Jean was the very first person I met at RCHP that day, and from that moment she became a steady presence in my life. She became so much more than a supervisor, mentor, or colleague. She became one of the few people I have ever considered truly inspirational.

From 2019 to 2021 Jean taught me quietly, consistently, by example what it means to.....

Hadi's Reflection

Submitted by Hadi Bakhsh, Director of Employment Services at I-RISE and now former Case Manager at Still Waters 

I had the honor of working with Jean Stockdale at Stillwaters until her final moments, serving as Case Manager for large groups of clients since June 3, 2021. Despite having over 10 years of experience in social work, including my time as a coordinator with UNHCR for refugee camps across various countries, I can say without hesitation that it was Jean who truly embodied the essence of what social work means. Her unwavering commitment and extraordinary compassion left a lasting impact on everyone she encountered.

Jean approached each situation with remarkable empathy, boundless patience, and a....

Maria’s Reflection  

Submitted by Maria Ovando, Legal Aid for Asylum Seekers & Still Waters Case Manager. When asked to share a reflection, Maria said, “an entire book would still be too short”.  

Her big heart, her protective instinct, her fierce advocacy, tireless devotion and dedication will always be a treasure for me, I don’t believe there is someone that can do the job like she did.  

Every day since she gained her wings, I ask myself “what would she do?” And it is because she did what Jesus would do.  

After her death, we have received a few miracles, some family members joined a victim of trafficking; this was her work-

A T-VISA Was approved after 4 long years of waiting and 20 years without.........

Seth’s Reflection 

Submitted by the Rev. Seth Kaper-Dale, Co-Pastor at RCHP and CEO of RCHP-Affordable Housing Corporation 

Jean Stockdale was a force for community transformation in and around the Reformed Church of Highland Park since the late 90's. Since the early 2000's she was key to massive aspects of what this church has become.  

Jean and I co-founded Who Is My Neighbor Inc, and through that organizational development learned about starting non-profits in churches. Jean became WIMNI's first director. Then, after I started Churches Improving Communities, Jean became its first Director, trying to inspire other faith communities to tackle similar opportunities in the world around them.  

Then, Jean became the self-led director of a massive........

We’d like to thank Sam Friedman and Audrey Lane for capturing the essence of Jean’s spirit. We are happy to share this touching video where Jean talks about her journey on the long road to helping her clients (who always became dear friends, as well) recover from the trauma of human trafficking, with the ultimate goal of self-sufficiency and thriving in their new lives. (To read her daughter, Suzy’s, tribute to her mom, click on this link). To read Pastor Seth’s eulogy for Jean’s memorial service, please click on this link.

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UPDATES & HAPPENINGS

Holiday Sales at The Upcycle and Global Grace Marketplace through December! 

Stop by 127 Raritan Ave (Upcycle) and 208 Raritan Avenue (Marketplace) in Highland Park for your holiday shopping inspirations! Great discounts on all kinds of great finds! Hours of operation for both stores: Tuesday – Saturday from 10am - 6pm

PROGRAM SUCCESS STORY

Updates from CAN! (Comunidades para Americanos Nuevos!) 

Submitted by Bella Gerstmann, CAN! Program Director 

Program description: CAN! Is RCHP-AHC's newest program, formed to support families separated by ICE detention, with a focus on Middlesex and Mercer counties. CAN! provides direct support to families in crisis, providing emergency aid and referrals to other services, as well as organizing drives, presentations, and making connections with others who want to help.

What has CAN! been up to? 

On October 29, CAN! hosted a baby shower to raise awareness and gather donations for several women with young babies, newborns, or babies on the way whose husbands had been detained by ICE. So many diapers and baby supplies were donated at the event that they could hardly fit in our office, but we've already distributed many since the event. 

Bella Gerstmann, Program Director of CAN!, has provided personalized presentations to educate various organizations on how they can step up to support families separated by ICE in their communities. Some of these include the Unitarian Universalist Church in Princeton, Temple Ner Tamid, Family Connects NJ, and the FELLAS program. 

This Christmas, 50 children who have been separated from a parent due to ICE detention or deportation will receive Christmas gifts, thanks to one generous donor. The foundation will spend around $100 on gifts for each child. 

Get involved! Attend a training on how you as a community member can play a part in supporting families separated by ICE detention on Thursday, January 8 at 7 PM.  REGISTER HERE

PROGRAM UPDATES & HIGHLIGHTS

Accompany Now! - Click on this link to check out the current newsletter!

Featured Highlights:  

*Gratitude for Community Partners  

*Staff appreciation  

*Extra help for clients in need 

Never miss an issue of the Accompany Now newsletter by signing up here 

AHC Legal Services

A recent EAD (work permit) Clinic in our Trenton office served a total of 44 clients over a period of two days! All hands were on deck for this assistance for our clients to apply or re-apply for their work permits. Considering EADs are now only good for 18 months (under the current Administration), these clinics will be part of what we do for the foreseeable future. 

We are also grateful for the grants that are helping to cover the application costs for our clients. Under the current Administration, fees have skyrocketed: First time fees are $550 and renewals are $795! 

Thanks to Jamie DiNicola and his legal services team for continuing to do these EAD clinics, as well as self-filing asylum clinics! 

Global Grace Cafe

This photo was taken in the Cafe kitchen and features one of our interns who participated in our Job Readiness Training program through I-RISE Employment Services. Each trainee spends 12 weeks learning all about the cafe. They perform all tasks from cleaning to food prep to serving, and before they complete their time with us, they cook at least one meal. This is a wonderful way for them to share their culture and build their confidence.

GG Cafe is located in the Reformed Church of Highland Park, 19 S. 2nd Avenue. Open Monday – Friday, 11:30am – 1:30pm 

The Upcycle Store - New SignUpGenius for Volunteers! 

Do you love giving old items new life? Join us at our Upcycle Shop, where donated goods are transformed and resold to support our refugee community. We’re looking for volunteers to help with: 

• Sorting and organizing donations 
• Creating displays and merchandising 
• Assisting customers with purchases 

No experience is required—just bring a positive attitude and a willingness to help. Every hour you give makes a big difference in keeping our shop running and supporting our mission. 

Click here to sign up for a shift and be part of something sustainable, creative, and impactful!  Questions? Contact soledad@interfaithrise.org  We’re located at 127 Raritan Avenue in Highland Park. Hours of operation: 10am – 6pm Tuesday - Saturday.

Please LIKE and FOLLOW us! 

Interested in helping our crops thrive in SPRING 2026? Starting in MARCH, come out on Saturday mornings, starting at 9:30, to lend a hand and spend some time in the great outdoors. GG Farms is located at 12 College Farm Road. 

For more info, contact Ashar, Director of GG Farm at GGFarms@interfaithrise.org

Global Grace Health - Despite tragic funding cuts to this program, GG Health still manages to serve NJ communities 3 days a week. On November 22nd, the GG Health team and dozens of volunteers converged in a Highland Park parking lot to pack meals for 400 families for the Thanksgiving holiday. Thanks to the multiple donors who made Thanksgiving a happier one! 

Check out this video of the event (see below).  

If you’d like to volunteer and/or provide supplies for homeless encampment visits, contact Dr. Bowe’s assistant Sarat at sarat.gghealth@rchp-ahc.org

Global Grace Marketplace - At GG Marketplace, beauty and functionality go hand-in-hand. Stop by 208 Raritan Avenue in Highland Park or Shop online

Re-Entry Housing - We will assist 23 new clients this coming year…and that will be added to the 80 current clients that we continue to assist and in most cases house!  

Interfaith-RISE

What a rollercoaster of a year it’s been! We went from thinking we may have to close our doors, to our compassionate community chipping in (BIG time) and having us still afloat by Summer. Then we finished the year strong with our Annual Community Walk fundraiser. With your help, we met and exceeded our goal, raising $263,216! 

Thanks to all our community friends who went above and beyond to help fill the financial gap left wide open by the current Administration. We are blessed a thousand times over.

I-RISE Recycled Woodshop - The I-RISE Recycled Woodshop is busy refurbishing donated furniture to the new Upcycle shop, in addition to crafting brand new creations. Thanks to Tim and the core group of volunteers (Raj, Paul, Al and Jay), the Woodshop keeps quality care and innovation at the forefront. 

Interested in volunteering? Contact tim@interfaithrise.org  

RCHP-AHC has made it through the governmental changes and reductions of early 2025 and we are as strong as ever! Help us keep meeting the most pressing needs of NJ's most vulnerable communities. 100% of donations from the public will go to Direct Client Assistance. Thank you!