O.C.E.A.N. Inc.

The First Time Homebuyer Program is sponsored by the Ocean County Board of Commissioners on behalf of the Ocean County Consortium through the Planning Department and is administered in partnership with O.C.E.A.N., Inc. The agency Housing Counselor Mark Lamela was the applicants point of contact assisting and guiding her throughout the entire process.

In this particular homebuying experience, Sarah a mother of two, signed up and was placed on the Community Grants Planning and Housing (CGP&H’s) waiting list and ultimately selected by lottery for affordable housing in Manitou Park.

The affordable housing purchase was managed by CGP&H, a NJDCA approved Affordable Housing Administrative Agent who specialize in all aspects of affordable housing, planning, COAH compliance, and the procurement of grants and loans for clients.The newly constructed home in Manitou Park was built by Homes4All, a developer based in Toms River, NJ who provides affordable housing and support services for low-moderate income families throughout the community.Overall, Sarah worked with multiple organizations including O.C.E.A.N., Inc., the Ocean County First Time Homebuyer Program, CGP&H, Homes4All and Susanne Saller, a Residential Loan Consultant with Newrez to accomplish her dream of homeownership.

For more information about upcoming First Time Homebuyer Workshops, call or email Mark Lamela the O.C.E.A.N., Inc. HUD Certified Housing Counselor at (732) 244-5333 Ext.1110 or via email at mlamela@oceaninc.org.

O.C.E.A.N., Inc. Head Start Alumna Gwendolyn Wilson only remembers a little about her time as a child at Head Start, but one day, she came across a photo of herself enjoying a cupcake with her Head Start class. This moment may have been the beginning of her lifelong love for bite-sized treats!After a challenging high school experience, Gwen vowed never to return to school. However, a life transition changed her plans, leading her to enroll in college and get a degree in social work. While in college, one of her professors advised her to pursue a job opportunity with Head Start. Now working as a family services coordinator at O.C.E.A.N., Inc. Head Start in Toms River, New Jersey, Gwen reflects, "It was earning my bachelor’s degree in social work and an encounter with a professor that led me back to Head Start.

It’s truly a full-circle experience, and I love being able to help and support families like mine.”Congratulations Gwen on your many years with the O.C.E.A.N., Inc. Head Start Program!If you know someone who could benefit from the O.C.E.A.N., Inc. Head Start/Early Head Start Program, visit our website to begin the enrollment process at
 https://www.oceaninc.org/headstartprogram