"We are pleased to do our part to support Zoe's Place," said Kevin J. Lynch, President of the OritaniBank Charitable Foundation and Chairman, President and CEO of Oritani Bank. "We look forward to the completion of their new home, which will provide more opportunities for the organization to directly improve the lives and future prospects of young women in our community." Mr. Lynch presented the grant at an event honoring Oritani Bank's 100th Anniversary on March 23, 2011. 

The OritaniBank Charitable Foundation originally pledged this grant in 2008, but the project was delayed due to the economic downturn. The home is being built through a partnership between Zoe's Place and Bergen County 's Habitat for Humanity, with additional funding provided by Bergen County 's United Way and community support. Once completed, it will house five teen mothers and their children. 

The OritaniBank Charitable Foundation was established in 2007 to assist not-for-profit organizations that help to improve the quality of life for residents in Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic counties. Since its inception, the Foundation has donated more than $2 million to local charitable organizations, primarily in support of education, health & human services, youth programs, and affordable housing. 

Oritani Bank is a 100-year-old community bank with over $2.5 billion in assets based in the Township of Washington, New Jersey. Oritani Bank's parent Oritani Financial Corp. is a publicly held company trading on the NASDAQ with the trading symbol "ORIT." Oritani Bank as 23 branches throughout Bergen, Hudson and Passaic Counties, and offers a  full line of deposit and loan services to both retail and commercial customers. For more information, call 888-ORITANI, or visit their website, www.oritani.com.

IKEA Making a Life Improvement for Zoe's Place  

A team of coworkers from IKEA Paramus tackled their local “Life Improvement Project” by partnering with Zoe’s Place, Inc. On April 21st, 2011, IKEA coworkers built furniture and set up the bedrooms and living room with new IKEA furniture that is warm and inviting for the new residents.

“We feel that IKEA’s home furnishings will help give them a sense of home and belonging that is greatly needed to help these girls get back on their feet. We want them to feel like this is their home, a place where they can give their child a welcoming environment. Another aspect we would like to provide is a kid’s play area that will help them to develop their motor and cognitive skills with our MALA toy line as well as give them the opportunity to play,” says Corinne Carr, IKEA’s Local Marketing Specialist.

As this is the "Life Improvement Project," the 409 Team feels that Zoe's Place offers the girls not just a temporary "soft place" to land, but will create a permanent positive life improvement. The skills and knowledge gained through this program will give the young moms the foundation to become empowered to make positive decisions. As a result, it will enable them to give their children an optimistic and encouraging future.

Photos of Zoe's Place