About Us

Welcome to The Waterfront Project, Inc. where we believe that housing is a fundamental, human right. Founded in 2013, we have dedicated ourselves to providing free civil legal representation, assistance, and advocacy to New Jersey residents who are asset-limited, income-constrained, homeless, or disenfranchised. Our mission is to ensure safe, stable housing for everyone, and we serve hundreds of families facing housing insecurity through our comprehensive Legal Defense and Counseling Programs.

Meet our Executive Director, Carol Sainthilaire

The Waterfront Project, Inc. (WFP), a nonprofit legal clinic serving Northern New Jersey communities, is delighted to announce that Carol Sainthilaire has joined as the organization’s new Executive Director. Ms. Sainthilaire comes to WFP from Community Enterprises Corporation, an organization providing housing opportunities to individuals with disabilities, where she served as the Chief Executive Officer. She brings with her over thirteen years of experience in housing, advocacy and public sector management.

“We are so excited to have Carol on board as our new leader during this period of tremendous growth at the Waterfront Project,” said Isabel Chou, President of the Waterfront Project’s Board of Trustees.  “Almost overnight, we grew from a half-million-dollar organization with a team of six staff members to close to $2 million and a staff of 25 today who supported over 1,000 people in 2022. With that amount of growth, we needed an experienced executive and thought leader like Carol to help take the organization to that next level where it can serve even more communities and families here in New Jersey.”

I am honored to join The Waterfront Project to help drive their critical mission of providing legal services to those most in need. More than a decade working in the housing space has shown me how important equitable access to legal services is, and The Waterfront Project has been leading on that front from the beginning.“

– Carol Sainthilare

Ms. Sainthilaire holds a Master of Science in Urban Policy Analysis and Management from the New School, and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Boston University. Throughout her career, Ms. Sainthilaire has managed initiatives relating to housing for reentry and child welfare involved populations. Among other things, her work included overseeing criminal justice housing initiatives and providing technical assistance to child welfare agencies on expanding housing programs for youth and families and the Housing First model. 

As a community volunteer, Ms. Sainthilaire works with many local animal rescue groups in Hudson County and serves as the Board Chair of My Dog Is My Home, a national non-profit working to help unhoused people and their animals find housing together. 

Media Contact: Francesca Larson | media@thewaterfrontproject.org | Jersey City, NJ

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At The Waterfront Project, we are more than just a legal center – we are a beacon of hope for our community. Join us in our mission to end homelessness and promote housing stability for all. 

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