Millville Housing Authority

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Holly City Family Center survives

By JOEL LANDAU
The Daily Journal
March 5, 2009

MILLVILLE -- The Holly City Family Center has gone from nearly closing last summer to projecting a $23,000 profit this year.

Janet Reeves, facility property manager, said 75 new members joined the center in January, and another 94 signed up in February.

The center made a profit of $15,701.49 last month, and projects an annual profit of $23,777 assuming the center continues to gain new members and its fundraising efforts are successful, Reeves said.

The Millville Housing Authority -- whose nonprofit organization Holly City Development Corp. operates the facility -- considered closing the center last year due to a budget shortfall of about $120,000.

But the MHA received assistance to keep it open because of increased membership fees, a loan from the Cumberland County Improvement Authority, and grants from the Mill- ville Public Schools, city government and South Jersey Healthcare.

MHA Executive Director Paul Dice called the news a real success story, and noted there is a new energy about the center.

"We were on the brink of closing not that long ago. It's been a scramble. It's been difficult getting the ball across the line, but it's moving," he said.

Reeves said the center has been more involved with its members, establishing a member advisory committee once a month to meet with the center's administrators.

"We want members to know what we're bringing in and what we're spending on," Reeves said. "If they have an idea, we want to hear it."

Millville resident Andrew Valeri said he joined the center two weeks ago because he was tired of working out at home.

"I'm grateful this place is still here," he said. "It's a really comfortable place to go. People don't bother you."

Tyler Menz, 16, said he joined just before word started circulating the center may close, and is relieved it remained open.

"It's close and really convenient," the Millville resident said. "I don't have any other options."

	Press Release About Us > News & Press Releases > Press Release Holly City Family Center survives By JOEL LANDAU The Daily Journal March 5, 2009 MILLVILLE -- The Holly City Family Center has gone from nearly closing last summer to projecting a $23,000 profit this year. Janet Reeves, facility property manager, said 75 new members joined the center in January, and another 94 signed up in February. The center made a profit of $15,701.49 last month, and projects an annual profit of $23,777 assuming the center continues to gain new members and its fundraising efforts are successful, Reeves said. The Millville Housing Authority -- whose nonprofit organization Holly City Development Corp. operates the facility -- considered closing the center last year due to a budget shortfall of about $120,000. But the MHA received assistance to keep it open because of increased membership fees, a loan from the Cumberland County Improvement Authority, and grants from the Mill- ville Public Schools, city government and South Jersey Healthcare. MHA Executive Director Paul Dice called the news a real success story, and noted there is a new energy about the center. "We were on the brink of closing not that long ago. It's been a scramble. It's been difficult getting the ball across the line, but it's moving," he said. Reeves said the center has been more involved with its members, establishing a member advisory committee once a month to meet with the center's administrators. "We want members to know what we're bringing in and what we're spending on," Reeves said. "If they have an idea, we want to hear it." Millville resident Andrew Valeri said he joined the center two weeks ago because he was tired of working out at home. "I'm grateful this place is still here," he said. "It's a really comfortable place to go. People don't bother you." Tyler Menz, 16, said he joined just before word started circulating the center may close, and is relieved it remained open. "It's close and really convenient," the Millville resident said. "I don't have any other options."