Homeless Solutions seeks new home for Hospitality Link in Morristown
Posted by Kevin Coughlin on September 29, 2011 · Leave a Comment
Hospitality Link, a Morristown program run by Homeless Solutions Inc., is homeless.
The program, which helps the down-and-out get back on their feet, closed this week at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, where it has operated since its inception in 2008.
Hospitality Link has ceased operations at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, where kitchen renovations are under way. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Last month the church vestry decided not to renew Hospitality Link’s $1 annual lease, citing intended church uses for its Friendly Guild Room, according to Homeless Solutions.
The nonprofit is searching for a new venue within walking distance of the Community Soup Kitchen and other downtown services.
“So far, we don’t know if we can continue the program,” said Katie Laud, chief financial officer for Homeless Solutions. She also is a member of St. Peter’s.
Hospitality Link had been accommodating up to 75 day laborers, unemployed- and homeless visitors each weekday.
The program provided light refreshments donated by area restaurants and a refuge from the elements, but it strove to be more.
Kathryn “Trink” Schwartz, a former chaplain at the Morris County Jail and volunteer at the Market Street Mission, became director of Hospitality Link last year and attempted to help clients with job searches, English as a second language, and tips on grooming and hygiene. She made referrals to rehab, medical and mental health services and distributed laundry cards and bus passes to clients going on job interviews.
Clients had access to computers and a phone, and they could use Hospitality Link as a mailing address–crucial for securing government benefits.
The program was established at the request of the Morristown Area Clergy Council, a consortium of local churches and synagogues.
“I sincerely hope a new home can be found for the Hospitality Link,” said Rabbi Donald Rossoff of Temple B’nai Or and a member of the Clergy Council.
“It serves a very important function within our community and has helped many people through difficult times. I support the Clergy Council in its efforts.
Some Hospitality Link clients have started showing up at Our Place, a daytime drop-in shelter at the First Baptist Church that has had its own struggles. The basement space gets crowded in bad weather, and it’s hard to cadge time on its single laptop computer, clients said.
“The Link was more of a place where you were trying to get on your feet, find a job, use a computer and search for a job,” said Ramon Addison, 33, an unemployed landscaper who said he has been living in a parking garage for three months.
Travis Donnelly, 24, lost a sales job recently and has been living on the streets, “trying to figure things out.” Already, he misses Hospitality Link.
“I liked it,” Travis said. “The people who worked there were very friendly. They really encouraged you to take the next step forward.”
Travis Donnelly and Ramon Addison, pictured here outside 'Our Place,' said they will miss the services provided by Hospitality Link in Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Hospitality Link’s success stories included an alcoholic with a long jail history, who sobered up and got off the streets thanks to Trink’s intervention, Katie said. Another man who was battling depression got positive reinforcement from the program and landed full-time work, she said.
“Trink is a magical individual. This is what she does. She’s amazing, and we would like her to continue,” Katie said. Trink also is a Lutheran deacon.
The church is doing a $188,000 kitchen renovation, adjacent to the Friendly Guild Room, but Katie was not sure if that factored into the vestry’s decision regarding Hospitality Link. Attempts to reach church officials for comment were unsuccessful.
One goal of Hospitality Link was to occupy homeless clients who might otherwise roam the streets or lounge in downtown businesses or the Morristown & Township Library. It’s a clientele that poses challenges.
Kathryn 'Trink' Schwartz, director of Hospitality Link. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
In January, police arrested Desean Cunningham, a.k.a. Shannon Brown, a 41-year-old convicted drug dealer from Paterson, outside the church and accused him of possessing 23 bags of heroinnear a school (Assumption) and a public building (the town library) with the intention of selling the drugs.
Police said the suspect would meet buyers outside the church, and use church bathrooms to conduct transactions and stash drugs.
Homeless Solutions officials called it the first incident of its kind, and said they were unaware of any illicit activities on the premises.
Sentenced to time served in the Morris County Jail, Desean Cunningham was given five years’ probation and released in June by Superior Court Judge Stuart Mankowitz.
