From the Morris County Freeholders:
PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT SET FOR THURSDAY IN MORRIS COUNTY
FREEHOLDERS LAUD EFFORT TO REACH OUT TO COUNTY’S NEEDIEST RESIDENTS
Project Homeless Connect is scheduled to be held on Thursday (Dec. 1, 2016) in Morris County, and centered at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Morristown, with a goal of connecting the county’s homeless and most vulnerable residents to vital resources they need to survive.
The event will be a sort of one-stop shopping event linking attendees to a host of services and programs offered in the county, and to provide those services in a dignified setting for the recipients.
St. Peter’s Church is located at 70 Maple Ave. in Morristown.
On Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., individuals experiencing homelessness can walk in and get hot cup of coffee, a snack, a haircut, flu shots, and be linked to community services through representatives from various community agencies, and also leave with needed items such as a free blanket, coat, and gloves.
Attendees also will get information on available health care, housing, energy assistance, domestic violence, mental health, and veterans’ services, among many others.
“This is a very important effort being made by our human services and social services teams in Morris County, who are trying to reach out to as many of the county’s neediest residents as possible, and to provide that help with dignity for the residents,’’ said Freeholder Director Kathy DeFillippo.
“This is a time for us all to think about what we are thankful for, a perfect time to share compassion with our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness, and to works towards a world where none of our county residents have to experience homelessness and hunger,’’ added Deputy Freeholder Director Hank Lyon.
The freeholder board endorsed Project Homeless Connect program last week, when the board was briefed about the project by representatives of the Mental Health Association (MHA) of Morris County, including President and CEO Louis Schwarcz, Vice President of Programs & Services Rose Brown, and Director of Homeless Outreach Services Danielle Pera.
The freeholders also proclaimed November as Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month in Morris County.
To volunteer your time for Project Homeless Connect or make a donation, contact Rose Brown at 973-334-3496 ext. 202, or Chiffon Richshard at 973-334-3496 ext. 502.
For more information on MHA and its homelessness program, visit:
https://www.mhamorris.org/Programs-Services/homeless-outreach.html or https://www.mhamorris.org/News-Events/project-homeless-connect.html
Have the County Freeholders ever considered building a village of tiny homes on the former Greystone property? That might be one way of helping the homeless in our area. Just a thought.