Lutheran Social Ministries of NJ Celebrates New Corporate Office
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Heather Kato
Marketing Manager
(609) 699-4139
Move Addresses Growing Needs of State Residence
BURLINGTON, NJ—On August 8, Lutheran Social Ministries of NJ (LSM/NJ) hosted a ribbon-cutting event to celebrate the move to their newly-built corporate administrative headquarters in Burlington. President & CEO Rev. Jerry Nugent, speaking on behalf of his staff and all those involved in the planning, financing, design, and construction, noted, “We were fortunate to find a site that permitted us to stay in Burlington as well as construct a facility customized to meet the operational needs of our expanding organization.” Those in attendance included Burlington Township Mayor Brian Carlin who issued an official proclamation wishing LSM/NJ “much success and good fortune”; Senator James Beach; Burlington Township Administrator Walter Corter; Burlington Council President Peter Green and Councilmen George Kozub and Carl Schoenborn; NJ Synod Bishop E. Roy Riley; LC-MS District President Anthony Steinbronn, members of LSM/NJ boards; those associated with construction of the project; and many LSM/NJ staff members.
After careful consideration, LSM/NJ opted to build rather than continue to rent office space. At two stories high and just under 15,000 square feet, the energy-efficient building sits on eight acres overlooking what will now be protected woodlands at the corner of Manhattan Drive and Elbow Lane in Burlington, just a few blocks from their previous home. Anticipating that population shifts, an aging demographic, and economic uncertainty will almost certainly increase the needs of state residents, LSM/NJ is being proactive. “We want to be nimble, responsive, and responsible,” says Rev. Nugent, “and this move enables us to embrace a period of growth and expansion.”
LSM/NJ currently addresses the needs of diverse populations across the state through a wide variety of services, programs, and projects including:
- over 1100 units of affordable senior, family, and special needs housing state-wide
- immigration and refugee services out of Trenton
- adoption program based in Burlington
- food pantry program
- homeless shelter in Camden
- home for children in Jersey City
- assisted living, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation care center in Moorestown
- continuing care retirement community in West Caldwell and a
- program for all-inclusive care for the elderly in Jersey City.
Jason Konek, executive director of project development and plant operations, is pleased with all aspects of the move, calling it the “ultimate team effort.” The building was constructed in nine months using sustainable materials and the physical move took place over a single weekend. “We were fortunate to have the support of our board and to work with top-notch professionals every step of the way,” says Konek.
Susan Sereni, executive assistant, helped assess staff space and plan the details of the move from the inside. “We started with departmental wish lists, prioritized based on current and future needs, and spent months preparing, de-cluttering, and reorganizing,” Sereni says. The end result: a corporate office that houses staff and supports the operational functions necessary to successfully rollout, maintain, and expand LSM/NJ programs.
“Working for a non-profit, faith-based organization is both challenging and deeply rewarding,” notes Peg Bucci, Senior VP of Housing & Community Services. “To be able to come to work every day in a positive and productive, bright and beautiful environment, and know that you’re making a real difference in the lives of families and individuals in need is a true blessing.”
Burlington Township Mayor Brian Carlin and LSM/NJ President & CEO Rev. Jerry Nugent
Established in 1904, Lutheran Social Ministries of NJ is a mission-driven, grace-filled, not-for-profit organization deeply committed to using its combined expertise to serve those in New Jersey who hurt, who are in need, or who have limited choices. LSM/NJ’s broad scope of services assists more than 5,300 New Jersey residents each year regardless of religious affiliation or background.
Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey, a faith-based non-profit organization, celebrates the opening of its new corporate headquarters off Manhattan Road in Burlington.