For the thousands of children who are either homeless or living with its threat, the phrase There’s No Place Like Home has a special, poignant meaning, one the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless knows well.
On Wednesday, May 16, the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless honored Linden resident Lois Bass for her dedicated investment in strengthening the Greater Elizabeth community.
The annual ‘No Place Like Home’ event raises funds for its children’s programs, including Bernice’s Place, New Jersey’s only after-school and summer program for homeless and at risk children. Last year, the Coalition was able to establish a dog therapy program to help the children they serve who have physical, behavioral and emotional issues. Other sponsorships include the adoption of transitional houses to help with the upkeep and rent.
Lois joined Infineum USA L.P. in 1999 – a joint venture of ExxonMobil and Shell – as an Administrative Assistant and was quickly promoted to Community Relations Coordinator in 2008. In this role, she manages all of the internal and external community outreach activities and services as an Ambassador for Infineum. She leads the Community Advisory Panel for the Bayway Complex CAP, coordinates the Junior Achievement Program for colleagues and is a member of the North Board for Junior Achievement of New Jersey. She also provides professional support to the manufacturing units in the Bayway Chemical Plant and in addition, serves as an Administrator for the plant’s Operational Integrity Management System. Her role requires the handling of all the employee outreach activities, along with dealing with local government agencies, civic organizations, local school districts, colleges and universities. She is an active volunteer in the community and spends many hours helping organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Junior Achievement, YWCA, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and Never Forget Thy Neighbor.
Lois is a member of the following organizations: Bayway Complex CAP (Community Advisory Panel), Merck CAP (Community Advisory Panel), IAAP (International Association of Administrative Professionals), North Board Member of Junior Achievement of New Jersey, Linden Economic Development Corp of Linden, President of the Linden Industrial Association, Vice President Elect of Kiwanis of Linden, City of Linden Board of Health Commissioner, Vice President of Ladies Auxiliary of Linden Knights of Columbus in Linden, Linden Chamber of Commerce, TWIN (Tribute to Women in Industry-YWCA) and TMF (Twin Management Forum), and sits on the Pastoral Council at St. John the Apostle Church in Clark and is also a Eucharistic Minister, along with teaching CCD.
When there is a need, Lois is eager to volunteer. Currently she sits on Steering Committees for TWIN, Josephine’s Place of Elizabeth, and Trinitas Regional Medical Center. She is also involved in the Scholarship programs for the Linden Chamber of Commerce, The Bayway Complex CAP, and Kiwanis Club of Linden.
Lois received her Associates degree from Union County College in 2000 in Business Management and was a Freeholder Scholar.
Lois was named “Lady of the Year” by the Ladies Auxiliary – Linden Knights of Columbus in 2012, received TWIN Award in 2013 from the YWCA, Superstar of Compassion from Linden Interfaith Network for Community Service (L.I.N.C.S.) in 2015, recognized by the Elizabeth Public Schools for her Outstanding Community Involvement in 2015, and was named Catechist of the Year from St. John the Apostle Church in Clark in 2016.
Lois has resided in Linden for the past 38 years and has three children who have blessed her with five grandchildren and one more on the way. When she has some free time, she loves to pitch a tent and camp with family and friends and take her grandchildren swimming and hiking.
(above) Linden resident Lois Bass, Community Relations Coordinator for Infineum USA L.P., received the Founder’s Award for Corporate Responsibility during an event hosted by the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless held in May.
