January 2021 Newsletter |
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Scroll below for
- Congresswoman visit
- A new start for Troy
- Navigating Hope
- Community serving community
- Resources for community members in need
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Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill Visits Our Promise
Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill paid a visit to Family Promise's Outreach Center, Our Promise. While we continue to see much need in Morris County, we have been successfully connecting those in need with local services.
“Stopped by the Family Promise Morris County NJ Drop-In Center in Morristown yesterday and spoke with CEO Joann Bjornson about housing insecurity — they have seen a 400% increase in need during COVID. (Currently,) 36,000 people are in the eviction queue in NJ,” and 800 in Morris County.
-Congresswoman Sherrill
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A New Year - A New Beginning for Troy
After struggling with homelessness for over five years, Troy is kicking off 2021 by settling into his new home! He is excited to have a place of his own where he can keep warm and feel safe and secure.
Troy exemplifies hope. His experience with homelessness was situational that left him with no desire to move forward or receive assistance with housing. He frequently visited Our Promise, the drop-in center, and became a regular friendly face there. Family Promise staff stayed hopeful that Troy would one day find the motivation to begin the housing process. It came years later when Family Promise received word of a new type of housing voucher. Troy, too, became hopeful and agreed to begin the challenging path to housing.
After months of hard work for both Troy and Family Promise staff, success came in the form of a new home! This caused Troy's hope to grow even more, and he is now searching for a job and attending important appointments. Way to go, Troy! Congratulations!
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Navigating Hope
Continues to Make a Difference
The Navigating Hope van is visiting areas of Morris County more than ever! The mobile unit, offering on-site benefits eligibility screenings and application assistance, can be seen at supermarkets, churches, soup kitchens, shopping malls, and other places around the county. They have been visited by over 300 residents in one day during the holiday season!
Additionally, Navigating Hope often teams up with Hope One, the mental health and addiction services van operated by the Sheriff's Community Services Unit, and together have provided backpacks with essential items to visitors and hot meals to individuals located at homeless encampments.
Along with the Navigating Hope and Hope One teams, Tracy Klingener, Director of Suicide Prevention Services for the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris Counties, offers her services as part of a new endeavor called Team Up, which focuses on mental health issues exacerbated by COVID-19, with a focus on suicide prevention.
To see a schedule of Navigating Hope's upcoming stops, please click on the picture.
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Many Thanks for Your Support!
Thank you for your tremendous support for our families during the holiday season! Your generous gift donations and dedication brought joy and many smiles to those who have struggled above and beyond during the past nine months!
A special thanks to some of our holiday partners:
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Salvation Army, Dover
Thank you for sponsoring many of our families and for fulfilling holiday wish lists!
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Black Lives Matter of Morristown
A big thank you for providing toys, games, and household goods!
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United Way
Thank you for another year of providing a truckload of holiday gifts such as toys, games, household goods, and clothing for our families!
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Assumption Church, Morristown
A heartfelt thank you for continuing to support our families and fulfilling many wish lists!
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Mendham Hills Community Church, Chester
A huge thanks for sponsoring our single men and many of our families by providing gifts for the holidays!
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Macculloch Hall, Morristown
Thank you for providing beautiful art kits assembled especially for the holiday season for all of the children in our programs!
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Usborne Books & More
Thank you for your fundraiser that provided many books, games, and soft toys for our families during the holidays!
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Morristown Jewish Center
Thank you for the generous donation of children's toys and games!
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Liquid Church, Parsippany
Thank you for including Family Promise in your coat drive and for providing coats for our families!
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St. Lawrence Church, Chester
A huge thank you for all your holiday support over the years and for donating many, many gift cards for groceries and essential items!
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A special thank-you goes out to our wonderful volunteers who donated hours of their time to deliver holiday gifts to our families! We appreciate so much that you helped provide joy to our neighbors this holiday season! |
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Unemployment benefits – Do you know anyone who has been furloughed or has had their employment put on hold? To find out if eligible for unemployment benefits, check out NJ.com at Unemployed in NJ who has put together an unemployment survival kit. For Unemployment Insurance go to: My Unemployment NJ.gov
Job Opportunities – Check out NJ Jobs, a jobs and hiring site that lists over 65,000 New Jersey job openings.
Mortgage Payments – Refer to the Federal Housing Finance Agency for help with mortgage payments. Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks are offering mortgage relief for homeowners.
Monthly Bills – For assistance with paying monthly bills, please refer to ConsumerFinance.gov. The Consumer Protection Financial Bureau lists steps to take to protect yourself financially.
Food / Cash / Health Insurance Assistance – For additional assistance with food, financial needs, and health insurance, check out NJ Helps.
Mental Health Services – Family Intervention Services can help with mental health assistance where you can connect with a specialist. They offer Spanish-speaking counselors and have free options. You may also call 973-324-7879 to speak with a specialist.
Text NJCOVID to 898-211 to receive text alerts from the NJ Governor’s office . You can also call a Healthcare Professional at 1-800-962-1253.
*Credit to our community partner, Habitat for Humanity, for above information.
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We are in HIGH need of the following items: |
Hand & Foot Warmers!
Hand and foot warmers are crucial in helping to make the colder temps more bearable!
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Fleece & Thermal Clothing!
Men's sizes M-XXL
Women's sizes M-XL
The extra layer of warmth will go a long way in these colder months!
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Household items:
microwave ovens
new vacuums
mops
brooms
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Essential Needs for Our Guests:
Masks
Hand Sanitizer
Toilet Paper
Sanitizing Wipes & Other Cleaning Supplies
Disposable Gloves
Bottled Water
Gatorade
a no-contact delivery of these key items to our day center.
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Click on the map to see Family Promise affiliates across the country! |
Donate Your Cancelled Event to Families in Need!
Your special event, birthday, or other celebration can be turned into a fundraiser or donated to the families we serve just by clicking the link below!
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