Update 12/23: The Quinces have found an apartment for their family of eight, but they need financial assistance to be able to make the security deposit. Renaissance Middle School’s PTA has stepped in to help collect monetary donations for the family. In an email sent to the school community they say:

This is a chance for all of us to come together in the spirit of community that is central to Renaissance at Rand Middle School. Please make a secure PayPal donation now on the renaissance PTA site, and enter Quince Family where it says “your child’s name” : Thank you for making this holiday miracle a reality for the Quince family.

Despite the great efforts of the Montclair Fire Department to contain and relinquish the fire at the multi-family home at 146 Forest Avenue on Tuesday, December 16 — all with no injuries to residents or firefighters — Melissa Quince and her seven children (ages 6 – 16) are now in need of a home.

Neighbor Alan Smith, lead singer of The Porchistas, immediately started helping the Quince family by collecting clothing and donations for the displaced family. The outpouring of generosity had been amazing, but the biggest need is for Quince to find an apartment for her family, and with a family of eight, it is a difficult task.

“We’re having a really hard time finding an apartment in Montclair that would take all of us in and I’m trying so hard to make sure we have somewhere to live before Christmas,” Quince told Baristanet. “I’m hoping for a true Christmas miracle.”



Melissa has lived in Montclair her entire life and all of her children are in the Montclair school system.

If you can help the Quince family find an apartment in Montclair, please send tips to us here. Monetary donations and gift cards for helping buying clothing and supplies may be sent to Melissa’a sister’s home at:

Attn: Melissa Quince

56 Maple Avenue

Montclair, NJ, 07042