Raphael J. Kasen, MCRP *** Katherine Street

Scotch Plains, NJ 07076

718-***-****

adgorj@r.postjobfree.com

Professional Experience

New Jersey Community Capital New Brunswick, NJ

Homeownership Administrator, Address Yourself January 2018 – Present

Spearhead marketing, outreach, and business development efforts for the Address Yourself and Neighborhood LIFT first-time homebuyer initiatives, generating over $20 million in mortgages and $5 million in down payment and closing cost assistance grants, respectively.

Lead a sales team of multiple loan officers and two housing counselors

Generate leads and provide top notch customer service to clients throughout the loan process

Jewish Family Service of Central New Jersey Elizabeth, New Jersey

Co-Project Manager, Lifelong Elizabeth October 2017 – December 2017

Successfully initiated $15,000 CDBG grant application to the City of Elizabeth for traffic safety initiative on behalf of the Lifelong Elizabeth program

Led coalition building efforts for the Lifelong Elizabeth project

Assisted with grant administration and responses to funder requests

New Jersey Community Capital Plainfield, New Jersey

Consultant: October 2017 – December 2017

Completed survey of over 2,800 parcels in support of the City of Plainfield’s vacant and abandoned property initiative

Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey Trenton, New Jersey Community Building Specialist July 2014 – October 2017

Consulted with municipalities and member organizations on abandoned and vacant property issues

Managed statewide network of regional housing and community development advocacy teams

Organized and run press events, conferences, and trainings

Composed and contributed to policy briefs and review proposed legislation

Presented at local, regional, statewide, and national conferences and events

Recruited new member organizations

Temple Sholom Scotch Plains, New Jersey

Better Together Grant Liaison October 2016 – January 2018

Worked with grant administrator to document participation in the Better Together program

Completed monthly surveys, mid-year and final reports, and responded to information requests

Assisted with design and planning of program curriculum

Temple Sholom Scotch Plains, New Jersey

Jewish University Instructor and Youth Group Advisor January 2016 - Present

Design curriculum and teaching two courses (Inclusion, Comparative Religion) as part of Temple Sholom Jewish University Program

Advise and motivate Youth Group and Junior Youth Group leadership

Assist leadership in organizing social justice and religious events for Temple and community youth

Community Access Unlimited Elizabeth, New Jersey

Community Organizer/Entitlements Specialist January 2014 – July 2014

Responded to requests for housing assistance on a daily basis from low-income persons, including those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness

Coordinated with local and state governmental agencies in regards to various housing entitlements

Conducted daily administration and oversight of 132 custodial accounts for CAU members

Developed and conducted presentations directed towards adults with disabilities and their support staff

Composed regular news evaluations and action alerts for distribution to CAU and community organizing email lists

Community Access Unlimited Elizabeth, New Jersey

Housing Redevelopment and Advocacy Intern October 2013 – January 2014

Researched grants to fund housing programs for persons with developmental disabilities

Searched for new properties for purchase and conversion to permanent housing

Advocated for fair housing on behalf of community of persons with disabilities

Cornerstone Partnership Telecommuting to Oakland, California Consultant January 2013 – July 2015

Researched and composed article on Diamond State Community Land Trust for publication on Cornerstone website

Interviewed executive directors of member organizations for member profiles on Cornerstone website

Community Land Trust Studio Essex County, New Jersey Project Associate September 2012 – December 2012

Co-authored and presented studio report on Central Server Community Land Trusts

Developed theoretical framework for administration and community building in Central Server CLTs

Interviewed executive directors of four Central Server CLTs from across the country for final report to Essex County Community Land Trust and the National Housing Institute

Cornerstone Partnership Oakland, California

Summer Associate June 2012 – August 2012

Organized and designed training materials for August 2012 webinar on local preference and fair housing

Assisted in development of online survey and excel model for tracking affordability over time

Built online library of inclusionary housing ordinances for Cornerstone website

First Republic Bank New York, New York

Administrative Assistant/Loan Processor June 2008 – October 2009

Skills

Sales, Community Engagement, Marketing & Social Media, Data Analysis, Public Policy, Advocacy, Grant Writing, Technical Assistance, Training, Public Speaking

Languages

English, Spanish

Occupational licenses and certifications

Certificate: Basic CPTED Trainer, Facility Management International US, 2017; New Jersey

Education

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Master of City and Regional Planning (M.C.R.P.), May 2013

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies, Kibbutz Ketura, Israel

Program Participant, Spring Semester 2010

Vassar College

Bachelor of the Arts (B.A.) in Art History, May 2003

Publications

“Our Legacy of Segregated Communities and What We Can Do About It” (Live webinar recorded 9/22/2020)

https://www.socialjusticematters.org/blog/2020/9/8/b1gtdjb6yh7dlyvyeguqmww0tmp6xo

“Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit: A Catalyst for Lasting Change”

http://www.hcdnnj.org/assets/documents/nrtc_report_2017.pdf

HCDNNJ Neighborhood Stabilization Toolkit (all section updates)

http://www.hcdnnj.org/neighborhood-toolkit

“An Effective Method of Ending Chronic Homelessness”

http://hcdnnjnetworkvoices.blogspot.com/2016/12/an-effective-method-of-ending-chronic.html

“Diamond State Fair Housing Victory Revisited”

http://www.affordableownership.org/new-horizons-revisited/

“An Historical Perspective on Affordable Homeownership: Sunnyside Gardens, Queens, NY”

http://www.affordableownership.org/historical-perspective-sunnyside-gardens-queens-ny/

Affiliations

Member - New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association Member – Affordable Housing Professionals of New Jersey

Member – National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, Northern New Jersey Chapter

Volunteer Activities

Board Member - Homefirst Interfaith Housing and Family Services

Board Member – Affordable Housing Professionals of New Jersey

Nominations

Nominated by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy in 2020 to serve on the Board of Trustees for the NJ Historic Trust. Currently awaiting confirmation hearing in the NJ State Senate.

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