When someone like Rocco Balsamo emerges triumphant from the struggles of an impoverished childhood to help establish a community service organization that fights poverty, an award for his efforts can be a testimony to how God works out all things for good.

Balsamo, a realtor at Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., in Princeton Junction, was one of five winners of the National Association of Realtors REALTORÒ Magazine’s 2012 Good Neighbor Award given in October.

Nominees were judged on their personal contribution of time, as well as financial and material contributions to their cause.

The Center for FaithJustice, which Balsamo cofounded, demonstrates the virtues and qualities the award was created to honor.

 The Center for FaithJustice, based in Lawrenceville, is a Catholic nonprofit organization that inspires hundreds of teens and young adults to volunteer in the crusade against poverty.

An article in REALTORÒ magazine told the story of Balsamo’s childhood struggle and the source of his inspiration to serve the poor and needy.

“Balsamo has a true passion for helping those in need and encouraging others to do the same and because of his efforts, the less fortunate will have hope,” reads the article written by Brian Summerfield, an editor of the magazine.

Balsamo was the oldest of seven children, growing up in East Brunswick in a family that was comfortably middle class—that is, until he turned 12. That year his father passed away, and from that point on, life became a struggle. The Balsamos occasionally had to turn to food stamps and social services.

The household held together thanks to his strong, good-hearted mother and the efforts made by local Church organizations.

He didn’t forget the kindness shown to his family. When Balsamo helped establish the Center for FaithJustice in 2008, he envisioned it being an organization that serves needy households ranging from the inner cities of central New Jersey to the small towns of Appalachia.

The center stands on the Catholic values of service, justice and faith, educating middle school, high school, and college students about poverty’s ill effects and challenging them to do something about it, Summerfield wrote in his article published in the November/December issue of REALTORÒ.

 “We want to provoke action in these kids,” said Balsamo. “What it’s about is doing the right thing and caring for people who can’t care for themselves.”

One program is called “ServiceworX.” During this one-day event, hundreds of young people volunteer at a service site such as a local nursing home, food pantry, soup kitchen, or inner-city daycare.

Another teaching program, takes high school students to a remote site where they are given a $6 budget. Students have to make hard decisions about whether to spend money on dinner, a shower, or a phone call home.

 “What we’re trying to do is give them the understanding of what it’s like—not just to be poor but to have your hope and dignity stripped away,” Balsamo said.

According to Balsamo, approximately 850 middle and high school students and 150 young adults have been involved in Center for FaithJustice programs. Last summer these volunteers contributed 20,000 hours to local charities.

Balsamo and the other four Good Neighbor Award winners will each receive a $10,000 grant for their charity and a $2,000 Lowe’s gift card.

The recipients received their awards Nov. 10 at the 2012 REALTORÒ Conference & Expo in Orlando. Awarded annually since 2000, The Good Neighbor Awards is sponsored by Lowe’s and HouseLogic. For more information about the Good Neighbor Awards, visit REALTOR.org/gna.