A “Welcome Home” in Sea Bright

Sea Bright Rising and the New Orleans-based St. Bernard Project are celebrating their first reopening of a Sandy-damaged home in Sea Bright on Tuesday, June 17, 2014.

The St. Bernard Project was founded in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina, and Manager for Development and East Coast Operations Teddi Bubnowski says their mission is simple.

"They share their model for disaster recovery and residential rebuilding with local disaster-impacted communities," Bubnowski said.

The St. Bernard Project model uses volunteers and AmeriCorps members alongside in-house skilled tradespeople to help keep costs down.

"It reduces construction costs almost by 50 percent, to eliminate the need for subcontractors," Bubnowski said.  "So, a complete rebuild for a home is below market rate.  It actually costs almost less than $50,000 to do."

But the organization still relies on donations, so if you can help, click here.  You can also learn more about becoming a volunteer.

If you're in the Sea Bright area and still need help rebuilding your home after Superstorm Sandy, click here.

The "Welcome Home" party for the partnership's first rebuilt home takes place at 7pm on June 17, 2014.