RCHP-AHC Quarterly Newsletter September 2026 | | A MESSAGE FROM SETH KAPER-DALE, CEO, RCHP-AHC | | |
Dear RCHP-AHC,
A broad portfolio—broad enough to reach all—that’s our goal.
I am not an investor, but, as I understand it, key to investing is having a wide range of investments. It’s best not to put all your money into one particular stock, or one segment of the market. Broader is safer. You can have a nice run in one area of your portfolio for a time, but things rise and fall, and it’s best to ‘go broad.’
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How has AHC survived these times? Because we have a broad portfolio of programs that positively touch the lives of people in our communities who are going through lots of different situations and circumstances. We have sought to meet needs in so many categories. We can say, with confidence, that we have invested broadly.
By investing broadly, we have also generated volunteer interest, financial interest and client interest broadly. There are months when our financial situation for refugee resettlement runs far in the red, but grants and funds for ReEntry, or the Cafe, or for those who are experiencing homelessness are strong. There are other times when..............
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Neighbors Housing Neighbors - Focus on David K.
David came to us while experiencing homelessness. Through our housing and supportive services, we were able to help him secure stable housing so he could begin rebuilding his life. David shares some of his story here.
David grew up in West Caldwell, NJ, with his parents and 3 sisters. About his schooling, David says "I did finish some college, but growing up, you know, I had ADD issues and it wasn't that prevalent back then, really. So I never did tremendous in school, but I always tried real hard. I was never a superstar student, but I managed."
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David followed his dad into the carpet and flooring business but eventually ended up in Colorado. "I've always been a little bit of a wanderer. In 1994 I got divorced and my friend had a ski house in Vail Colorado and I was looking to make a change. My best friend, John, growing up – he did very well for himself. It's funny, you know. He lived right across the street. He's making millions of dollars in computers and stuff like that. And I'm just doing my own thing, but I'm a happy-go-lucky person.
I got a job selling carpet out there, which, looking back, if I had just stayed and did that the rest of my life, I'd probably be very wealthy right now, but I'm not a materialistic person; I enjoy what I do."
Fast forward a few years...........
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Q&A with Zoryana
Zoryana Letushko is the Program Manager for Neighbors Housing Neighbors for Cumberland County. Neighbors Housing Neighbors serves clients in Middlesex, Mercer, and Cumberland Counties through a grant provided by the Dept of Community Affairs (DCA). As of 2025, Cumberland County had the highest percentage of residents living below the poverty line in NJ.
When did you start working for I-RISE and what prompted you to apply for the case manager position?
I started with I-RISE in the summer of 2022. As a result of the war in Ukraine many Ukrainians were forced to leave their homes and flee to other countries. Many of them came to the US through the U4U program seeking refuge. I-RISE had done outreach to faith communities in the Cumberland County area. My brother-in-law, who's a pastor, was one of those who received a call. I was a stay-at-home mom at the time, and it all just kind of fell in my lap. It was an opportunity to help the people from my homeland.
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Were you born in Ukraine? Do you still have relatives and friends in Ukraine?
I was born in Ukraine. My family immigrated to the US when I was 8 and I grew up in Philly. I moved to NJ 20+ years ago after getting married. I do have family still in Ukraine, although my immediate family is here in the United States. I do have a few uncles and aunts still living in Ukraine. Some of my cousins are still there. Thankfully, they're in the part of Ukraine that, although it has been impacted by the war, it's closer to Poland, Lviv. And so there, it's somewhat, I don't want to say livable, but it's a little more quiet than it is on the east side of Ukraine.
Switching topics, earlier this year, you transitioned from being a case manager for I-RISE to Program Manager for RCHP-AHC's Neighbors Housing Neighbors. What have you learned since you've started this new position? Is there anything that has surprised you about the housing insecure population that you didn't expect?
I learned that there is a..............
| | ARE YOU GETTING THE WHOLE STORY? Some email providers truncate this newsletter due to the length when viewed on a desktop or laptop computer. Look for the “message clipped” text and then click on the blue “view entire message” to make sure you get the whole newsletter. | | SAVE THE DATE! I-RISE Annual Community Walk - Sunday, November 8th from 2-4pm at the Reformed Church of Highland Park. Stay tuned - more details to come. | | |
Open Kitchen Initiative for Sudan Partners with Global Grace Marketplace
The war in Sudan has displaced families and disrupted access to food, healthcare, and essential services. The Open Kitchen Initiative provides food and medical supplies to internally displaced families. Through the spirit of the church (RCHP), interfaith solidarity, and the belief that humanitarian action can build bridges between communities, your support helps turn art into compassion.
Donate $50 and receive a print of your choice by Mutaz Ali, an internationally exhibiting visual artist exploring memory, identity, and human stories. Click here for the GG Marketplace webpage to order your print, and here for more info on the artist (or scan the QR codes in the flyer).
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AHC YouTube Channel
Sam Friedman, our resident videographer, continues to create informative videos for all the orgs under the AHC umbrella. Check out these recent videos featuring highlights of Pastor Seth’s speech at the 20th anniversary celebration earlier this year + a video about our Legal Services for our Afghan clients.
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American Federation of Teachers Supports Global Grace Health
Horrified by what happened to Dr. Norma Bowe (being thrown to the ground by ICE agents in the late Spring while attempting to provide medical attention) in front of Delaney Hall Detention Center, our friends at the American Federation of Teachers honored the work of Norma and her team by hand-delivering this check for $25,000 in mid-August. (Pictured with Norma and Pastor Seth is AFT President, Jennifer Higgins)
We can't overstate how grateful we are to AFT for showing their support and solidarity. We are humbled by their generosity. Thank you!
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Become a Monthly Sustainer to Support RCHP-AHC's Innovative Lease/Sublease Program.
For 20 years, the Reformed Church of Highland Park Affordable Housing Corporation has helped welcome people home. This year, as we celebrate RCHP-AHC's 20th anniversary, we are inviting community members to mark this milestone by becoming monthly recurring donors.
The RCHP-AHC’s lease/sublease program helps people secure housing when the traditional rental market shuts them out. The lease/sublease program is currently facing a shortfall of roughly $250,000.
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Yes, that number is large. But shared across a community, it becomes more possible. When divided across the approximately 1,000 people currently housed through the program, the gap comes to about $250 per person per year, or about $20 per person per month. That means your monthly gift of $20 can help close the gap between housing insecurity and home.
Across Highland Park and the surrounding community, more of our neighbors are facing housing instability just as the safety nets meant to support them are being stretched thin. Monthly donors provide steady, reliable support. This allows RCHP-AHC to plan ahead, respond to urgent needs, and continue standing between vulnerable community members and housing loss. Scan the QR code or visit https://rchp-ahc.org/donate/ Thank you!
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CAN! August Back-to-School Event Recap
While Bruno Oriti (AHC Mental Health Director) spoke to a few moms about the benefits of belonging to the new support group for Spanish speakers, our teen volunteers kept the kids busy with fun activities! Thanks to Bella Gerstmann and her team for making sure CAN! Kids receive new school supplies and clothes for the Fall semester, and their moms received essential everyday items, such as toiletries and cleaning supplies. CAN! supports parents whose spouses have been detained by ICE.
And thanks to our generous supporters who donated clothing, backpacks, and so much more!
If you'd like to help support this very vulnerable population, please visit https://rchp-ahc.org/donate/ and/or please visit our Amazon Wish List for a list of essential baby care items for our I-RISE little ones. Thank you!
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AHC Housing: Providing More Than a Roof Over the Heads of Clients
The following testimony was written by a recently placed father of two in one of AHC's owned properties in Middlesex County in July. Thanks to Lori Freedman, AHC Tenant Services Director, for sharing this moving account of transformation and hope.
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I was homeless and in a hotel for a year-and-a-half, then in the shelter for four months. I was going through a very difficult time in my life. I didn’t know whether I was going to have my kids, I was going through a depression and through the guidance and help from the program they helped me see what is important for life and helped me get my head on straight from the difficult places that I was in. They helped me with a place to live, they provided beds, housewares, toiletries. They offered me rides for appointments so I could take care of all my business.
My kids love the apartment. They don’t have to be with strangers, they have their own room, and a sense of stability. They like the town we live in, they like the neighbors, the clean environment. They like seeing the deer walking down the street! And they’ve gotten involved in community activities.
They are looking forward to going to school in their new neighborhood and to doing activities with the church. This program is very family oriented. The worker that helps me is very courteous; she makes time for me even if she is busy. I like the responses I get conversation-wise. As a parent, to know that there’s people who are out there, who will give you a helping hand and not be judgmental is beautiful.
| | PROGRAM UPDATES & HIGHLIGHTS | | |
Global Grace Health
The Global Grace Mobile Health Clinic continues to deliver Blessing Bags and basic medical care to the unhoused throughout the state. If you’d like to contribute items for the care packages, please click on the SignUpGenius link here. Thank you!
Questions? Contact sarat.gghealth@rchp-ahc.org
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Re-Entry Housing
Just a brief, but very encouraging update. This program has been granted funding for the next year! Considering the number of AHC programs that have had funding reduced, this is no minor slice of happiness.
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Lease/Sub-Lease Properties
So many of our tenants who are I-RISE clients are in limbo right now, many waiting for Employment Authorization renewals to come through, or some other legal issue needs to be resolved. If you, your family, congregation or organization can temporarily assist a tenant with financial help and/or material goods, please reach out to fida@interfaithrise.org
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Global Grace Cafe
Our tasty “down-home” food has its origins in many “homes”. India, Afghanistan, Guatemala, Venezuela and Haiti, just to name a few. Stop by Global Grace Cafe for international cuisine that fills the stomach but doesn’t empty your wallet!
We also have more “traditional” dishes, such as lasagna (pictured), fried chicken and Asian-style sweet & sour chicken.
Open from 11:30am – 1:30pm, Monday through Friday.
QUESTIONS? Contact ggcafe@rchp-ahc.org
Global Grace Cafe is at the Reformed Church of Highland Park – 19 South 2nd Avenue
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THE UPCYCLE IS BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL HOURS
Store Hours:
Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 6pm
Donation Hours:
Tuesday to Friday 11am to 3pm. NO SATURDAYS
We thank you for your continued generosity, for both donations and purchases!
Located at 127 Raritan Avenue, Highland Park
Visit our website for more info on donating items plus info about our furniture partner, the I-RISE Woodshop.
Questions? Contact upcycleshop@interfaithrise.org or 908-208-1370
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Global Grace Farms
Global Grace Farm Has Big Decisions to Make, Come October – a Message from Pastor Seth
Global Grace Farm has been a wonderful part of RCHP-AHC for 6+ years now. However, the USDA Grant that gave us funds for paid leadership has dried up, and the new Administration is not supportive of our type of program. The future of the farm is up in the air. Would you like to be part of the planning for GG Farm’s future? Please reach out to Pastor Seth if you feel this might be your passion. seth@rchp-ahc.org
Check out this newly released video from our in-house videographer, Sam Friedman, which highlights the locally grown goodness of GG Farms.
GG Farms is located at 12 College Farm Road.
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Global Grace Marketplace
GG Marketplace has great Halloween and Dia de los Muertos decorative items for your home and/or ceremonial altar!
New items are coming in regularly, such as these bamboo toothbrushes (and toothbrush holders) and hand-blown glass vases.
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I-RISE Woodshop
The Woodshop continues to produce custom-built items on request. Check out this radiator cover crafted recently for a Highland Park area resident!
And Woodshop volunteers have also created several new styles and sizes of their attractive kitchen cutting boards, for sale at The Upcycle Thrift store and Global Grace Marketplace (both located on Raritan Avenue in Highland Park).
| | RCHP-AHC made it through the governmental changes and reductions of 2025 but we face a challenging future. 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! | | | | |
