Millburn's Hessian House Dedicated as Joseph P. Miele Center for Substance Abuse Prevention.

Joseph P. Miele, third from right, is honored during the July 15, 2008, dedication of the Hessian House, on Millburn Avenue, for his lifetime of service to helping prevent substance abuse in New Jersey. Participating in the dedication are, left to right, Gerard A. Marini, a founding member of the Governor's Council for a Drug-Free Workplace; former owners of the Hessian House, Harvey and Isabel Kahn, Miele, Stephen J. Pasierb, President & CEO of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America; and Angelo M. Valente, Executive Director of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey.

CONTACT:
Angelo M. Valente, Exec. Dir.
(973) 467-2100, ext. 22

Joseph P. Miele Center for Substance Abuse Prevention
Established at Millburn’s Hessian House

Millburn, NJ – One of Millburn’s and New Jersey’s most historical buildings, The Hessian House, located at 155 Millburn Avenue, was dedicated on July 15, 2008, by its new owners, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey, in honor of its founder, Joseph P. Miele.  

According to local legend, on June 23, 1780, during the American Revolution’s Battle of Springfield, deserting Hessian soldiers sought refuge in the federal-style house, which was built in 1730. For the last 52 years the building was owned by Harvey and Isabel Kahn and has recently become the statewide headquarters for New Jersey’s largest, continuous Public Service Campaign, dedicated to substance abuse prevention and education.

On July 15, 2008, over 50 New Jersey corporate, business and government leaders gathered for the dedication of the Hessian House. The newly dedicated “Joseph P. Miele Center for Substance Abuse Prevention” is named in honor of Joseph “JP” Miele who has and continues to dedicate his life to keeping New Jersey children Drug-Free.  With the founding of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey, Miele has touched the lives of millions of New Jersey’s families with messages of education, drug and alcohol abuse prevention and hope. It is through his unwavering commitment and unmatched dedication that this Center is possible, and the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey has become a national leader in the fight against alcohol and drug abuse.  

Millburn served as the Partnership’s home during its creation at the law firm of Miele, Cooper, Spinrad & Kronberg, formerly located at 90 Millburn Avenue. Executive Director Angelo M. Valente reflected during the dedication ceremony, "The Partnership is pleased to be returning to its roots in Millburn after almost 15 years." Valente continued, "JP Miele has spent a lifetime helping others. What he single-handedly started with the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey has now become one of the premiere non-profit organizations not only in New Jersey but throughout the United States".

Stephen J. Pasierb, President and CEO of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, lauded the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey as a national leader. “What is truly significant about today is the fact that New Jersey is the first and only state in the nation to have established a permanent headquarters to address the issue of substance abuse prevention and education.”