Leadership 100 Members Spearhead Building of Waterfront Senior Housing Complex

St. Demetrios Senior Housing architectural rendering.

Judge Marina Corodemus, a longtime member of Leadership 100 and St. Demetrios Church in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, is leading a project to build the St. Demetrios Senior Housing, a waterfront complex overlooking the Raritan River across from the church. The complex is an initiative of the Metropolis of New Jersey and will constitute an official ministry.

Last fall, His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos addressed all clergy and lay leaders in the Metropolis, stating, “By providing senior citizens affordable housing in an Orthodox Christian environment, we can help tend to both the spiritual and physical needs of individuals who are integral to our community.” He added that he had designated a portion of Metropolis of New Jersey funds as a pledge to building the complex.

As President of the Philotimo Building Corporation, Judge Corodemus has engaged other members of Leadership 100 throughout the Metropolis of New Jersey, in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, and Maryland. In addition, a 300-person multi-purpose community center, which is part of the complex is being named as a memorial for the first members of Leadership 100 from St. Demetrios Church, Tom and Sylvia Kress of Blessed Memory.

The waterfront complex will have one and two-bedroom condominiums joined by modern green spaces, a communal lounge, dining room solarium, library, and a chapel. Initially, 27 units will be built. Groundbreaking took place last November and initial financing will be available in April. Construction is slated for late spring or early summer of 2020.

As the official Metropolis Retirement community, plans are for the facility to be a resource center of education, nutrition, health and religion, including an Orthodox chaplain program for Orthodox seniors throughout the Metropolis of New Jersey.

The purpose will be to celebrate, preserve and educate daily life for seniors in an Orthodox manner as a Metropolis ministry for all to attend, support and enhance, according to Judge Corodemus.