By Berit Ollestad
Their motto is “Be prepared.” But last month, Scouts from Parsippany Pack 5 helped others be prepared when they volunteered at the Mental Health Association of Morris County’s Project Homeless Connect Day at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Morristown.
There were only two questions asked of the 200-plus participants at the event: Are you homeless? Are you a veteran? The program allows individuals to receive information regarding services such as employment, housing, transporation and child care.
“One of the biggest challenges is navigating around the county to different geographical locations to receive these services,” said Joann Björnson, executive director of the Interfaith Council for Homeless Families of Morris County. Although many said Morris County had a decent transportation system, that system still presents challenges when an individual needs to get to four or five different locations within a set period of time.
An estimated 175 to 225 homeless individuals live in Morris County. Social service providers say they are seeing more families and women among the homeless population, as well as younger people and second generations dealing with homelessness.
“The biggest concern seen by many is the lack of affordable housing in Morris County,” said Lou Schwarz, CEO of the Mental Health Association. “Oftentimes after rent has been satisfied there is virtually nothing left over to live on for the month.”
“Receiving a complimentary haircut and shave is priceless to so many of the clients,” according to Holly Shawwat and Caitlin Hearn, stylists from the Hair Laboratory Studio, which participated in the event.
“It’s amazing how just a simple haircut can have such a dramatic effect on their attitudes and sense of self worth” Hearn said.
One of the day’s guests, Steven R., said he had been homeless since August after losing his job and emptying his savings account to cover living expenses.
“It’s exhausting to be homeless, the endless wandering from place to place to get a bite to eat takes a lot of effort,” he said. “What people fail to realize is that every time you need to go somewhere, you need to take everything you own with you. Otherwise you risk the chance of someone else stealing it.”
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The Parsippany Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts were on hand to help out and serve coffee and cookies to the guests.
“I want to be here today because it makes me sad and I want to help,” said Dylan Mendes, 10. “My wish for them is that Santa brings them hope this Christmas.”
Fellow Scout Peter Nardi, 9, said he thought it was important to be there because “we have homes and these guys don’t have that, and I want for them to feel as nice as we do.”
Said Scout Jack Ferentino, “they aren’t much different than us. They just don’t have the money to buy the things they need. Most of them have the same interests as us, and they really don’t look all that different from us either.”
Harrison Weaver, 11, agreed. “They’re just like us,” he said. “They just have problems, that’s all. This could happen to any one of us.”
If he could give one thing to the guests at Homeless Connect Day, what would it be? “Faith,” Jack said.
Steven would like to thank the Boy Scouts that came to the event. “It’s a blessing that they care enough. It gives me hope that I am going to get out of my current situation. I’m glad they’re here, I unfortunately wish I wasn’t.”
“I would challenge anyone to ‘be homeless for a day’ and realize that it is never something anyone would choose,” he said. “I can only hope that when St.Peter’s hosts this event next year, I won’t be here.”
Scouts pictured in the photos:
Michael Gaudio, age 11
Zack Lifschin, 11
Alex Gedesdes, 10
Nick Sheiffele, 9
Anthony Memoli, 10
Angelo Varcadipane
Nicholas Capone, 11
Patrick Whalen, 9
Jack Ferentinos, 10
Eddie Strocchia, 14
John DeBoss, 14
Harrison Weaver, 11
