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WALL, N.J. – New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG), the principal subsidiary of New Jersey Resources (NYSE: NJR), and Interfaith Neighbors, Inc. dedicated a new home today on a formerly abandoned property in Neptune. The new house represents the fulfillment of a dream for Rock and Natacha Gourdet and their three children after years of persevering to reunite as a family and make the United States their home.

“In our longstanding commitment to the communities we serve, we’re pleased to be part of this program, which is strengthening neighborhoods by offering families the opportunity to become first-time homeowners,” said Laurence M. Downes, chairman and CEO of NJNG. “We’re proud to support the Gourdets in their pursuit of a better life,” Mr. Downes added.

The Gourdets’ story reaches back over 15 years to their native Haiti, when Natacha left for the United States to live with her stepfather in Neptune. Over the years, Natacha’s relationship with Rock grew during her visits to Haiti. The couple married in 1995 and lived apart for the first three years of their marriage. In 1998, Rock was able to emigrate to the United States to join Natacha and their first-born son. Now 8-years-old, Roody has been joined by Rocky, his 4-year-old brother, and 8-month-old sister Nerlie.

Rock is a driver for the Auto Mall in Neptune, and Natacha is a nursing assistant at Shore Garden Nursing Home. They were renting a house after Natacha’s stepfather moved away, when they learned of the home ownership program.

The dedication of this home marks the successful completion of the 11th house in the home ownership program. It is the sixth home for the program in Neptune.

“Our efforts to foster home ownership opportunities for moderate-income families benefit greatly from partnerships with organizations like NJNG and Interfaith Neighbors,” said Thomas Catley, mayor of Neptune Township. “Together, we’re breathing life into abandoned properties, improving existing housing stock and restoring the pride of our community,” Mayor Catley said.

The home ownership program began eight years ago when NJNG donated $25,000 in seed money toward the purchase of a home in Asbury Park. Additional funds were procured by Interfaith Neighbors, which administers the program. The program intends to help working families purchase homes, which otherwise would be out of their financial reach.

New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) is the principal subsidiary of New Jersey Resources (NYSE: NJR), a Fortune 1000 company and a member of the Forbes Platinum 400. NJNG is one of the fastest-growing local distribution companies in the United States, serving more than 450,000 customers in New Jersey’s Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex and Morris counties. This service area’s demographics and quality of life contribute greatly to NJNG’s growth. NJNG’s progress is a tribute to the dedicated employees who have shared their expertise and focus on quality through more than 50 years of serving customers and the community to make the company a leader in the competitive energy marketplace. For more information, visit NJNG’s Web site at njliving.com.