The first county-based program of this kind in New Jersey includes outreach and guidance for the homeless to provide additional resources to achieve self-sufficiency.
Union County, New Jersey-The Union County County Commission launched the Fresh Start mobile program to provide the homeless with shower, laundry, and toilet facilities, as well as guidance and resources on other services that promote self-sufficiency.
The new plan is the first such mobile service to be provided in New Jersey.
The Chairman of the Commissioner’s Committee, Alexander Mirabella, said: “Personal care can easily be taken for granted, but for the homeless it is a major challenge. It is difficult to find work and seek education. Or complete other important tasks." "With the mobile Fresh Start device, we can provide these basic services to those who need help most, including children and adults."
"We are always looking for new and innovative ways to help those in need among us. We expect the Fresh Start service to have a significant impact. With the participation of our community partners, Fresh Start will enable us to reach Homeless individuals and connect them to other resources and services," said Debbie-Ann Anderson, director of the Union County Department of Public Services.
"The mobility aspect makes the Fresh Start program stand out in ensuring that individuals in need can connect with the services provided by Lianhe County and our partners. The program brings the necessary resources to individuals in the community to save them from having to The cost and limitations of arranging to go to a centralized location for help," said Commissioner Sergio Granados, who is the liaison between the Commissioner's Committee and the Union County Public Service Advisory Committee.
The Fresh Start program is part of the President Mirabella’s 2021 “Union County Rise” plan, which aims to maximize the use of county-wide resources to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, while satisfying financial planning, public safety, education, economic development, and other than human services. In addition, there are opportunities, inclusiveness and diversity.
The core of Fresh Start is a mobile trailer equipped with bathrooms and showers, as well as laundry facilities. It is operated and maintained in accordance with standards that prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The Fresh Start trailer serves as a portal and contact platform to provide continuous resources that can be self-sufficient, including emergency shelters and clothing, and continuous resources including mental health, housing, and employment assistance.
In addition to providing services to people in financial need, the trailer can also provide basic services to Lianhe County residents who have been displaced due to natural disasters and other emergencies.
Fresh Start works with community partners to coordinate various resources within the county government, including the Department of Social Services, the Department of Aging, the Women’s Office, and the Veterans Services Office.
More than a dozen external partners have participated in the program, including the Elizabeth League for Homelessness, The Salvation Army (Elizabeth, Union, and Plainfield branches), City League, Gateway Family YMCA, and YWCA Union County Wait.
Chamber of Commerce partners include Gateway Regional Chamber, Suburban, Elizabeth, Union and Cranford. The Social Security Administration and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs also cooperate with the program.
The Fresh Start trailer visits various locations in Lianhe County upon request. Institutions and organizations interested in the visit can send a request via email to freshstart@ucnj.org.
More detailed information can be obtained from the Lianhe County Public Service Department at https://ucnj.org/dhs/fresh-start.
For information and updates on all United County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccinations, free testing, emergency food distribution, and other support services, please visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health (nj.gov/health).
For all Union County programs and services, please visit ucnj.org, call the public information line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online contact form.
Connect with Lianhe County on social media.
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