HIP’s 5th Annual Rent Party

On Saturday, October 25, 2014 friends of Housing Initiatives of Princeton (HIP) came together at Princeton’s Present Day Club for HIP’s fifth annual Rent Party fundraiser. The 2014 Rent Party offered a Latin Caribbean theme in recognition of HIP clients who have come from the Caribbean, Central and South America.

The evening included Latin Caribbean-inspired hors d’oeuvres, a four-course dinner, a dessert buffet, and beer, waters and wines from the region. Music representing the genre was played by Brandon Lewin, Douglas Miller and Bernard Geiger of Shikantaza Trio, http://www.shikantazamusic.com , Latin Caribbean dance instructions by Elvis Ruiz and Veronica Morillo of Alma Montuno Latin Dance Studio, http://www.almamontuno.com. All guests had an opportunity to experience a bit of Latin Caribbean culture.

A highlight of the evening was honoring Trinity Church, Princeton with Housing Initiatives of Princeton’s “2014 Good Neighbor Award”. Trinity Church was a founding congregation of Housing Initiatives of Princeton (HIP), and has provided steadfast support over the years helping HIP to assist families who are facing a housing crisis and associated challenges, enabling them to transition to living independently.

Additionally, HIP introduced its “Giving House”. With a beautiful display created by two area high school students, the Giving House provided supporters/guests an opportunity to direct their contributions to fund the purchase of household items needed for clients in HIP homes, operational expenses such as a month’s rent or utilities, educational programming and tools to enhance a child’s learning, or other essentials to support a family in-need.

Rent Parties emerged after World War I as millions of US Southerners, Puerto Ricans and other Latin American immigrants left economic deprivation to pursue a better life in the industrial North, particularly New York City. Despite their hard work, low wages meant they often struggled to find affordable housing. When the rent fell short, a common practice was to organize “rent parties,” inviting neighbors for an evening of food, music, and dancing. Guests paid a small admission fee to help raise the rent. Rent Parties offer a powerful example of neighbors helping neighbors—a perfect symbol of HIP’s current work in the Princeton community.