On Tuesday, November 12, 2024, Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison hosted a Book Launch Party for How To Be Successful in Housing, a graphic resource guide for individuals coming into housing for the first time after a period of homelessness written by Lane Michael Stanley and illustrated by Kennedy Ketcham, at Amandla Crossing.

The work was produced in collaboration with Mission First Housing Group as part of the 2023 coLAB Arts Artist Residency in Edison, NJ. The residency program was commissioned by coLAB Arts, a New Brunswick-based organization that facilitates creative conversation through innovative programs and artist infrastructure, connects artists with community partners and mentors, and executes productions that challenge perceptions and inspire action.

The goal of the guide is to provide information to formerly unhoused individuals and families that will help them navigate this big change in their lives. Topics include figuring out what to address first when making the transition, setting priorities that are specific to the individual or family needs, creating and caring for new space, finding education and work opportunities and staying mentally and physically healthy.

“For most people, losing their housing relates to a complex web of problems,” said Stanley. “When people do enter housing again, we want to help them keep that housing, by following their lease and identifying top priorities so they don't get overwhelmed. While working as the Resident Artist at Mission First, I identified that the arts could help residents sift through the emotional barriers they might be facing to using the resources available to them. Our hope is that this guide feels like talking to a friend, and figuring out where to begin, so the path forward feels less scary and unknown.”

More than 30 attendees came together for the Book Launch Party where representatives from Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison, coLAB Arts and Middlesex County Housing Continuum of Care spoke of the importance of the Resource Guide and how those they serve will be enriched by its contents. Lane also introduced the book and provided insight on its development, followed by a multimedia exhibition of the book including live reading, slide show of examples, videos and live performance.

“Working alongside coLAB Arts, Lane, the residents at Mission First Supportive Housing, the Middlesex County Consumer Participation Committee and our local community of Continuum of Care partners and providers to collaborate on development of How to be Successful in Housing has been a remarkable experience,” said Melissa Mascolo, Director of Program Management for Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison. “Lane took the time to listen, generate feedback and involved everyone each step of the way to create the graphic novel. I hope that our community and other communities beyond Middlesex County find the guide as useful and inspiring as I do.”

Links to Resources

·      Book’s website

·      Download the book in English

·      Download the book in Spanish

·      Voiceover videos in both English and Spanish of the graphic guide

·      Resource Worksheet

In early 2022, Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison received a $4,200 grant from Middlesex County through New Jersey’s Division of Arts & History to support a partnership with coLAB Arts.

Phase One of the partnership was based around sharing the lived experience of homelessness, as part of coLAB Arts’ 37 Voices – an initiative that combines journalism, oral history, research and theater to change the narrative around economic vulnerability in New Jersey. coLAB collected over 18 hours of powerful narrative, illustrating the myriad social vectors that intensify the experience of homelessness from our residents. Ultimately, one story stood out providing a narrative around isolation, domestic violence and eventual homelessness in Middlesex County that was portrayed in an oral history play presented with three actors, representing the narrator’s childhood, adolescence and adulthood. The play received great praise and invitations for various film festivals, shining a light on the homeless experience.

 Phase Two of our partnership brought Lane Michael Stanley to Mission First as a coLAB Arts Artist-in-Residence at our Edison properties. Lane engaged with residents at regular Resident Services programs and attended events hosted by Rutgers University interns and the Middlesex County Consumer Participation Committee to gain insight on the needs of our residents. In the nine months Lane worked with us, they hosted a variety of workshops for residents with art making, creative writing and more to help residents build new connections and relationships as well as find an outlet for channeling their struggles and expressing their emotions. The long-term plan, since Lane has moved on, is for residents to begin to independently conceive and create, then bring their work to the larger group and develop it even further.

The How To Be Successful in Housing guide detailed above was the final deliverable of the grant. We are hoping this resource will be shared widely in our community outside of Imani Park and Amandla Crossing, and beyond.

The partnership with coLAB Arts has been truly transformative for Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison and we are thankful to all that were involved in the two-year process of this grant.

Winter has only just begun, but some residents of Mission First Supportive Housing in Edison, NJ are already looking forward to spring, now that a raised bed garden has been installed on the property.

Long awaited, the installation of the raised beds was made a reality through funds from the Community Development Block Grant program and Edison Township. Once the weather breaks, it will provide a wealth of benefits for residents as well as Andrea Dean, the resident Horticultural Therapy intern. The creation of the garden is impactful for residents, building community through the creation of shared goals and responsibilities, creating food security and better health outcomes as a source of fresh produce; not to mention an opportunity to develop a fun, rejuvenating hobby for residents of all ages and abilities.

“The garden and Horticultural Therapy provide additional opportunities to support physical and mental health and well-being,” explained Dean. “In the garden residents can learn how to grow and eat nutritious food, grow flowers and plants that beautify their community and also engage in physical activity. Additionally, the garden offers a space for rest and relaxation, gathering and connecting with neighbors and experiencing growth and learning.”

We look forward to sharing photos of the garden in the spring.

Pumpkin Decorating

Jewish Renaissance Foundation Health Outreach

Fall Festival Garden Activity

Fall Festival Pumpkin Carving Activity

We have great things planned for the future as well! Want to keep up-to-date on what's going on at Edison and Mission First's other work? Follow us on social media:

Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison provides permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals and families in Middlesex County. Our on-site support services offer our residents access to the resources they need to increase health, independence and housing stability. When you make a donation to Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison, you are helping to ensure that residents have the supports they need to remain successfully housed, get back on their feet and live as thriving members of the community. Your support means so much! 

Donate online by clicking below or by mail to Melissa Mascolo, Supportive Housing: Edison, c/o Amandla Crossing, 100 Mitch Snyder Drive, Edison, NJ 08837.

Do you want to do more than make a donation?

Here are some other great ways for you to help:

• Help secure a matching gift from your employer.
• Host a fundraising event and donate the proceeds to Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison.
• Host an essential items supply drive.
• Introduce your friends, family and colleagues to Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison and encourage them to give.

Do you have ideas you’d like to discuss? Give us a call! We’d love to work with you. For more information, please contact:

• Melissa Mascolo, Director of Program Management, 609.373.8550, mmascolo@missionfirsthousing.org
• Moira Rooney, Senior Vice President, Fundraising & Communications, 267.269.3331, mrooney@missionfirsthousing.org