Homeless In Newark: Outreach Event Will Give People A Hand Up

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Homeless people in Essex County deserve a permanent roof above their heads. But in the meanwhile, a warm coat is a good place to start.

Earlier this week, police in Newark shared the story of Brian, a homeless man living on the city streets. After Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose met the down-on-his-luck man, he asked members of Hope One Newark – the department’s outreach program – to give Brian a helping hand. (See video below)

In addition to information about social services, which it offers to all homeless people it encounters, Newark’s Hope One unit gave Brian a new winter coat that will help him battle the frigid winter cold.

• See related article: 'Sheltersuit' Helps Homeless In Newark Cope With Winter Cold

Hope One Newark operates in partnership with the Center for Addiction Recovery, Education and Success (C.A.R.E.S.), Integrity House, Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris Counties and the Newark Department of Health and Community Wellness.

Other services provided include on-the-spot transportation to drug treatment facilities, HIV screening and the distribution of identification cards to the homeless so that they can obtain services, including housing assistance.

PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT DAY

Homelessness has been a persistent problem in Essex County and Newark over the past years.

According to the 2019 "Point In Time" count for New Jersey, more homeless people live in Essex County than any other part of the state. According to researchers, 2,235 homeless people were counted in Essex County in January 2019 – about 25% of the entire state's population.

More than 1,900 of those people were counted in Newark, the study said.

Essex County's homeless population has been increasing since 2015, when 1,723 people were counted. The county had 1,779 homeless residents counted in 2016, 2,048 in 2017 and 2,229 in 2018.

• See related article: Essex County Homeless Population Rises For 4th Straight Year

A county-spearheaded event will try to turn some of those numbers around later this month.

More than 70 community and faith-based organizations will team up to host the 14th Annual Essex County Project Homeless Connect Day on Friday, Jan. 31.

The all-day event will provide homeless residents with the opportunity to learn about available social services and health-related programs in a convenient, centralized location. It takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Essex County Branch Brook Park Roller Skating Facility at Clifton Avenue and Seventh Street in Newark.

According to a county news release:

“Homeless residents visiting the Essex County Branch Brook Park Roller Rink will receive a nutritious meal and have access to information about available programs and services specifically geared for homeless clients. Among the services being offered are: public assistance, health screenings, mental health services, emergency services, educational services, veterans services, employment services and free haircuts.”

“On January 31, our roller skating rink will be transformed into a one-stop information center where clients can connect with a variety of agencies to receive essential services,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said.

“We encourage our homeless clients to take advantage of the activities and participate in this year’s event,” DiVincenzo said.

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