Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 10/9/07


ASBURY PARK — The date on a banner hanging in The Center courtyard read Oct. 3, 2006.

That is when the three-story, $4 million building at 806 Third Ave. to house and provide services for people who are HIV-positive or who have AIDS in Monmouth and Ocean counties was dedicated officially.

On Sunday, staff members, volunteers, residents, clients and community supporters gathered to mark the first anniversary of the dedication of the modern building for The Center organization, which has served the Shore HIV/AIDS community since 1992 from various locations in the city. What is different about this location, in addition to its modernity, is that it can house up to 25 people.

"It's been wonderful. It's just so great to be able to provide a home for the 23 people that are living here now and just realizing that they came from a situation of homelessness and they have all the support and love from not only the staff, which is wonderful, but also volunteers that are here every day," said the Rev. Robert Kaeding, the organization's director.

The Center is a nonprofit organization that functions through a combination of professionals and volunteers.

One side of the building, known as The Center House, has 25 studio apartments, a library, laundry room, a living room and dining room with a restaurant-style kitchen.

The kitchen serves a dual purpose. It provides meals to Center House residents and to clients, who use the other side of the building during the day. That side contains a dining and meeting room and is where clients — and residents — can come for meals or for food pantry bags and hygiene supplies.

In the back of the building is a courtyard with a koi pond and gazebo surrounded by engraved brick-pavers honoring people affected by the disease or who work to fight it.

"I feel blessed to be living here. The Center House has a lot of means that have helped me in a lot of areas in my life that I really needed help in. Father Bob has made this place just beautiful for everyone," said Tamsyn Hundemann, 36.

Hundemann has been a resident since June. She is in a drug rehabilitation program, is learning skills such as how to use a computer, has a passion for writing and for koi ponds like the one in The Center courtyard, and hopes to one day manage a greenhouse or work in some other area of the horticulture field.

An art auction also was part of Sunday's celebration, with paintings donated by Ocean Township artist Laura Brunetti, who provided about 30 of her works.

"My whole philosophy is, art is very healing," said Brunetti, who plans on teaching art classes to residents and clients and displaying the paintings around The Center.

In addition to art classes, Kaeding hopes to use grant funding to run a wellness center, offering programs that include yoga, tai chi and therapeutic massage.

John Kowalski, a certified massage therapist from Red Bank who was at the party Sunday, likely will be helping clients and residents in that way.

"The Center is a place for growth and love, not just for the HIV/AIDS community, but also Asbury Park," Kowalski said.

Volunteer Kathie Rosamilia of Allenhurst called the new building an "oasis in the city."

And Aleta Galusha of Ocean Township's Oakhurst section, a Realtor who has been volunteering since 1992, said, "This beautifies another part of Asbury Park. God bless Father Bob. He doesn't give up."

In 2003, a city zoning board vote on the application for the building of 4-2 still failed because five votes, a majority of the nine-member board, were needed. Moreover, some on the board said they believed it would not make sense to locate people with HIV/AIDS, many of whom contracted the disease through drug use, in a city where drugs are sold.

The Center, saying the decision was based on potential residents and not on the proposed location or number of units, filed a discrimination suit in federal court. The U.S. District Court in Newark ordered the board to allow the construction. The city, saying at the time it really was not opposed to the application, did not fight the decision.

"I admire what they do," City Manager Terence Reidy said. "The work they do is very important work, there's no question about that."

There are about 600 to 700 people in The Center's database, Kaeding said.

This story contains information from previous Asbury Park Press articles. Nick Petruncio: (732) 308-7752 or npetruncio@app.com.

BY NICK PETRUNCIO• STAFF WRITER • October 9, 2008