‘On high alert all the time’: The homeless find hope at Project Homeless Connect in Morristown

Luke Petrocelli of Parsippany gets a haircut from Sam Khoury of Razors Edge at Project Homeless Connect, Jan. 31, 2025. Photo by Ellen Wilkowe
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By Ellen S. Wilkowe


Darrin Redding
of Dover knows first-hand about the hardships of homelessness. He has been unhoused for the majority of his life.

“When you’re living in that state of homelessness you’re at Defcon 4 all the time,” he said, surrounded Morris County- and community leaders. “It’s like you’re on high alert all the time.”

Darrin Redding of Dover recounts his homeless struggles at Project Homeless Connect at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Jan. 31, 2025. Photo by Ellen Wilkowe

Now clean, sober and housed, Redding, 59, addressed a crowd outside St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Morristown on Friday, recounting his story of homelessness and addiction as part of Project Homeless Connect, an annual gathering that connects county social services with those who need them.

Launched in 2006, the project has evolved into a year-round operation, bringing essential services to drop-in centers in Dover and Morristown.

Friday’s five-hour program, organized by Mental Health America (formerly the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris) and the county, featured more than 40 community-based service providers. They offered free services ranging from healthcare screenings and vaccines to backpacks, toiletries, gift cards and food.

Service providers also were on hand to offer information and support regarding housing, employment and mental health resources.

Mobile service units at Project Homeless Connect, Jan. 31, 2025. Photo by Ellen Wilkowe

“Rising costs continue to place financial strain on families, making events like Project Homeless Connect more important than ever,” said county Commissioner Director Tayfun Selen.

“Morris County remains committed to finding real solutions, from expanding emergency assistance to increasing prevention efforts, because no one should have to face homelessness alone.”

The commissioners took significant steps in 2024 to address homelessness by doubling emergency assistance funds to $300,000 and dedicating $150,000 to prevention programs.

The county also directed $100,000 in federal funding to three agencies for homelessness prevention and secured $190,000 — double the usual allocation — in state funding for Code Blue activation. Code Blue involves providing shelter when temperatures dip below freezing.

Sheriff James Gannon praised the MHA and the county’s Human Services Department.

“When I became Sheriff in 2017, we saw the urgent need to address homelessness, mental health and addiction,” he said. “At that time, our community leaders and experts came together at CARES in Rockaway Borough and we recognized the importance of bringing services directly to those in need.”

‘THE NEED IS HUGE’

Based on last year’s attendance and an increase in calls from people seeking help, more than 100 individuals were expected to drop into Project Homeless Connect on Friday to explore services, said Viktorija Spasova, director of programs for Assistance in Transition at Mental Health America.

“The need is huge,” Spasova said, adding that fear of deportation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE ) may make people more hesitant to reach out this year.

The event coincided with the annual Point-in-Time Count, a federally mandated survey assessing homelessness across the country. Last year’s count identified 680 individuals experiencing homelessness in Morris County, a 32 percent increase from the previous year.

Tricia Jackson of Whippany and her dog Oreo attend Project Homeless Connect, Jan. 31, 2025. Photo by Ellen Wilkowe

Following the opening ceremony, the crowd was ushered inside the church for breakfast and then directed by a slew of volunteers to assorted services. Among them were Atlantic Health, the Market Street Mission, Zufall Health, Operation Chill Out, Saint Clare’s, D.A.W.N., Child and Family Resources, and the Center for Family Services.

“This is not what I pictured,” said Whippany resident Tricia Jackson, accompanied by her dog Oreo. “I thought it was going to be all tents and tables outside.”

Mobile units from the Office of Temporary Assistance (Navigating Hope) and the sheriff’s office (Hope One) were outside, on Maple Avenue.

Jackson, who became homeless for about a year because of a domestic violence situation, contacted NJ 211 and temporarily was placed in a hotel. She is working with county social services to secure a permanent residence.

She was joined at a table by Yosimar Banguero, a Jefferson woman also experiencing homelessness and looking into Homeless Solutions Inc. and MHA services.

‘SOME KEYS I CALL MY OWN’

Jacqueline Leakes was another seeking resources to help her land on her feet after a personal tragedy. Formerly of Connecticut, she was sharing a $1,700 per month apartment with her son, an Army veteran, when he suddenly passed away.

“I was visiting my brother in Parsippany and talking to my son every day,” she said, choking up. “And one day (my son) didn’t answer the phone and I thought that was weird.”

Jacqueline Leakes, formerly of Connecticut, is on the waiting list at Homeless Solutions.
She attended Project Homeless Connect, Jan. 31, 2025. Photo by Ellen Wilkowe

A series of attempts to contact her son ended with a wellness check, where police found he had passed away.

Unable to afford the apartment on her own, Leakes has been couch-surfing for the past few months. She refused to impose on her brother, because he is in public housing.

“It’s only been a few months and I’m still grieving over this,” Leakes said. “This is the first time I’ve ever been in situation like this.”

But there was a bright spot. “Homeless Solutions called me yesterday and said that my name went up on the list and that I should get ready,” she said.

In the meantime, Leakes was browsing the tables and stocking up on a clothing-filled backpack and assorted toiletries.

Parsippany resident Luke Petrocelli‘s success story attests to services offered to him during his period of homelessness in 2011 and 2012.

“I was able to get a voucher from DCA (state Department of Community Affairs) and got housing, first in Netcong and then Parsippany,” he said, while getting a haircut from Sam Khoury of Razors Edge Barber Shop, which has locations in Parsippany, Randolph and Jefferson.

Project Homeless Connect brought together more than 40 community service organizations, Jan. 31, 2025. Photo by Ellen Wilkowe, Jan. 31, 2025. Photo by Ellen Wilkowe

Petrocelli grew up in Princeton and attended Georgetown University. While he didn’t elaborate on the circumstances causing his homelessness, he did claim to have written more than 50 stories about being homeless, including one called Under the Brilliant Sun.

No longer homeless, Petrocelli said he still enjoys returning to Project Homeless Connect, out of appreciation and to re-connect with some familiar faces.

“I see a lot of people who I used to see during homelessness,” he said. “And all the charitable organizations like Our Promise, Market Street Mission, Homeless Solutions…they were all wonderful to me.”

Sober since 2022, he has come full circle. MHA recently hired him.

As for Redding’s success, he put it this way: “I finally have some keys that I call my own.”

“I got out of my own way and allowed people to help me,” he said.

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1 COMMENT

  1. So many good people, great organizations, coming together with government involvement as well to make life better for citizens who are having some bad days and need a hand up. Morristown has been and continues to be a place where help can be found. We need to celebrate that part of our history as well as the many other facets that get so much—and well-deserved—attention. Needs are ongoing; even as some are met, there are more desperate folks that the good people and the organizations mentioned here are doing all they can to help. They need our support, our encouragement and our gratitude.

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