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For 25 years, Ocean Community Economic Action Now Inc. has administered federal aid programs throughout Ocean County to help low-income residents and families become self-sufficient.

The Toms River-based non-profit is now expanding its mission into Atlantic County, as it also grows to match the need created by the national housing crisis and to fulfill the government's push for increased home energy efficiency.

"That sort of hit us pretty quick, and we had to act pretty quick to do what we could to help people stay in their homes," said President and CEO Ted Gooding.

In the 15 years since Gooding has been president, OCEAN Inc. has grown 88 percent, increasing its childcare, mortgage foreclosure, home energy and housing divisions. In 2008, it generated $12.3 million in revenue from its programs, and its total assets were at $16 million.

That same year the organization spent $5.8 million for the federal Head Start Program in Ocean County, which is a comprehensive pre-school program for low-income families.

The organization also facilitates grant money for the county first-time homebuyer aid program, counsels homeowners for the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development and builds affordable housing.

Gooding said the latest push has been to weatherize - or make more energy efficient - low-income housing.

With $6.5 million in funding from the federal stimulus act, the organization plans to weatherize 2,400 single-family homes in Ocean and Atlantic counties.

It recently opened a field office on Main Street in Pleasantville, hired 14 additional staff members to implement its weatherization plans and sent out more than 30,000 flyers about the program.

Lee Procida

In the future, Gooding said he expects the organization to continue helping homebuyers and residents in the area, since he said there would always be people in need.

"We're going to continue to service these families and move them to self sufficiency," he said.

Lee Procida

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