News Updates

  • A Banner Year for FSHD

    As we wind down 2019, Fair Share Housing Development is celebrating what has turned out to be a banner year. This November, we broke ground on a new outdoor recreation area at our Ethel R. Lawrence Homes (ERLH) developmen, which will allow us to relocate and expand the Margaret Donnelly O’Connor Education Center. We will also start construction in early 2020 on Evans Francis Estates, which will create 54 affordable homes in Cherry Hill Township. It took more than three decades to win approval and financing for this development – a battle that was even more difficult than what FSHD faced trying to build ERLH, our flagship development.

    Published on November 21st, 2019 in Fair Share Housing Development | Read more »

  • ERLH ‘Back-to-School’ Fundraising Drive Is Parent-Led Success

    Back-to-School can be a stressful time for parents and kids. This year, our families got to ease back into the swing of things thanks to some extraordinarily community-minded parents who led a fundraising drive to supply ERLH kids with free book bags, supplies and many other treats.

    Published on September 26th, 2019 in Fair Share Housing Development | Read more »

  • Meet Our 2019-2020 Jesuit Volunteers!

    This year, we are pleased to welcome two new Jesuit Volunteers: Kaitlyn DeVeydt and Scott Henderson. Kaitlyn is a graduate of Boston College. She boasts a Bachelor’s Degree in English and a French/Creative Writing Minor. Scott grew up in Massachusetts and also graduated from Boston College as a Neuroscience Major on a Pre-Med track. Both Kaitlyn and Scott are delighted to have the opportunity to empower our ERLH youth. Each year, the Jesuit Volunteer Corps provides two full-time youth coordinators to work at the Margaret Donnelly O’Connor Education Center. Jesuit Volunteers commit to one year of post-college service where the need is greatest and to live in apostolic community with other Jesuit Volunteers.

    Published on September 2nd, 2019 in Margaret Donnelly O'Connor Education Center | Read more »

  • A Heartfelt Thank-You to Last Year’s JVs: Peter and Rebekah!

    Rebekah DuDevoir is currently serving a second term in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, this time in Tanzania. We wish her safe travels! Peter O’Brien plans on remaining true to his love for music. Last year, Peter said he enjoyed giving music lessons to an enthusiastic group of kids at the Education Center. Thanks for your good cheer, Peter. Godspeed!

    Published on August 1st, 2019 | Read more »

  • Cultivating Love for Music Is Most Rewarding Experience

    By Jesuit Volunteer Peter O’Brien

    I knew I wanted to utilize my love of music and bring it to the Margaret Donnelly O’Connor Education Center. Everything from private lessons for the kids to a jam session with the teens has helped me to form a deeper connection and love for the community and the work we do. At the beginning of the year, I ran a music club that slowly developed into private lessons. These lessons become far more than just learning an instrument: they are an opportunity to sit down and talk about what is going on in life, share stories, and truly get to know the person sitting across from me. Watching students cultivate a love for an instrument and being a part of that has been one of the most rewarding experiences.

    Published on May 1st, 2019 in Margaret Donnelly O'Connor Education Center | Read more »