In February 2025, Sharon Beans, a single mother of two, left the motel she was living in temporarily and stepped into her new home at Imani Park in Edison, NJ – the first home she has ever had that was “hers.”

“I've never had a home, even growing up,” said Sharon. “It was not always emotionally safe. So that's what molded me into getting into (abusive) relationships. Instead of becoming abusive, I became one of the needy people.”

Growing up in South River, NJ, Sharon experienced challenges at home that continued its cycle into adulthood. Her first and second marriages were unstable, and Sharon was mistreated. As can happen with survivors of domestic violence with a lifetime of trauma, she was conditioned to tolerate abuse and felt she had no way to get out and support herself and her children.

In April 2024, her husband had a stroke and was unable to work, rendering the family homeless in June 2024. In the process of searching for resources and housing, Sharon was able to leverage the system to separate herself and the children from her husband. She connected with New Jersey’s Department of Child Protection & Permanency who placed them in the Motel 6 that became their home for eight months.

Her time in the hotel was fraught with challenges, severe food insecurity due to limited resources meant they may not eat for days sometimes. Furthermore, life in a confined space was unfit for an adult and two teens. Additionally, both of her children are managing the effects of many years of trauma and abuse as well as life on the autism spectrum.

When Sharon’s son, now 17, was diagnosed seven years ago, their father was not accepting of, or willing to support assistance of his diagnosis. Her son would not leave the hotel room and still has limited access with the outside world, even forgoing his education. Her daughter, 16, though not formally diagnosed, has selective mutism and is very guarded creating issues communicating with others. Both conditions created issues with some program requirements.

Throughout the process, Sharon was able to connect with Coming Home of Middlesex County and Catholic Charities to work towards finding a permanent place to live. They introduced her to Mission First’s Director of Program Management Melissa Mascolo. She took a tour of Imani Park and was anxious to move in. Melissa put her at ease and discussed the program and how we can help her get back on her feet.

“Sharon and I first met during her initial screening appointment for Imani Park late summer 2024,” said Melissa. “She attended the screening with her case manager from the Catholic Charities PATH (Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness), who has been very supportive of her and her children. I was impressed by Sharon’s ability to articulate her story, the needs of her family, the barriers they had met and the goals and action plan she had in place. It was clear to me that she was a strong advocate for herself and her children.”

“I just started crying, because that was my place,” said Sharon. “Finally, I got my own place. I can't even explain it in words. It was amazing because that's my home. I never honestly knew what a home was until I walked in here.”

Sharon is adapting to her new surroundings and likes the calm and quiet of her new apartment building. She is happy to be working with Melissa. “Melissa is emotionally supportive; we connected,” she said, elaborating on her appreciation for Melissa’s work ethic and determination to ensure that she has what she needs to be successful. She also bonded with new Senior Property Manager Michelle Burwell, profiled below, and knows Michelle is committed to ensuring she has the support in her housing. Both women provide Sharon the accountability she knows she needs.

Sharon now feels she can finally “be a parent” and her children are getting the support and services they need, and she can see some changes already. Sharon is also in a weekly three and a half hour women’s trauma program that teaches her how to respectfully be assertive, channel her anger and manage her fear of sudden movements.

“Once Sharon moved in, she quickly engaged internal and external supports to move beyond planning towards implementation,” said Melissa. “She has been taking advantage of the various onsite groups and activities we offer in Edison, meeting with me for 1:1 check-ins and attending groups with Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care. As a single parent, it is incredibly challenging to juggle all these things—especially in a new environment—yet she has been successfully navigating and staying focused day after day.”

Once the dust settles, she looks forward to working again after nearly 9 years of being unemployed. Her goals are to start college or complete a training program in search of a career in elder care and get a job at an adult day care.

Sharon also strives to be an advocate for and empower women and men who have endured physical and emotional abuse. She wants to start support groups at the property and in the community where she can tell her story of trauma and inspire others to believe in their own worth, Sharon also wants to work with community groups and local officials to review some the policies for survivors of domestic violence so that they have more rights and opportunities to move past their situation.

Sharon, we are very proud of the amazing steps you have taken in your short time with Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison and look forward to your successes.

Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison is excited to announce that it has welcomed a new Property Manager. Michelle Burwell started with us in early March and has hit the ground running since day one!

Though new to this role, Michelle is not new to Amandla Crossing and Imani Park. She met Melissa Mascolo, Mission First’s Director of Program Management over a year ago through the Middlesex County Human Services Advisory Council (HSAC), which works closely with both the State of New Jersey and County to make recommendations for allocation of funds. HSAC also plays a large advocacy role on behalf of the needs and concerns of County residents. Their relationship blossomed and Michelle started visiting the properties multiple times per year to donate her time and resources, facilitating Black History Month activities, holiday events, coat drive donations and more.

“I am delighted to work alongside Michelle Burwell in her new role as Property Manager for Mission First,” said Melissa. “Michelle possesses a deep knowledge of the needs and concerns of the at risk and homeless population as well as the systemic barriers that exist in our community at large. She understands the importance of collaborative efforts across housing, healthcare, mental health, education and other mainstream systems, and that our permanent supportive housing sites are in many ways a learning environment for individuals in need of support and re-integration into the community.”

Michelle calls herself a “social worker by heart and profession,” and thrives on the unexpected in her work. She has worked with the unhoused population for the majority of her career, including over 20 years with the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency. She also has her real estate license and experience in housing – making her a perfect match for this position! She also feels that her presence at the properties prior to this position helps with the transition to the new role and in her relationships with the residents.

“I feel right at home,” Michelle said. “I am hoping to help Melissa as a team to make things happen and work together to make sure residents have a safe home that is suitable for them. I want them to be proud of where they live and have a smoother transition.”

Michelle understands the needs of our residents and wants to support them not just with a home to call their own but also recognizes that all of the residents came to live with Mission First through different journey. She knows that when things are not in place or residents’ needs are not met, it can trigger concerns and issues for a person resulting in possible setbacks.

“It's not just about them having a place to live; it's also being able to help understand their needs,” said Michelle. “Because I come with that background, and because Melissa and I can work very easily together, we can make a marriage happen here with both things.”

In the next few months, Michelle plans to learn what she needs to know in the role to ensure Imani Park and Amandla Crossing run like a “smooth engine” by fine-tuning systems and processes. Michelle’s goal is to build a trust between herself and the residents, so they know that she is there to make sure their housing needs are met and create a bond between Melissa’s case management role as well as property management and maintenance to support residents.

“The thing that I understand most about the population, is whatever their first experience is with you, it lasts forever,” Michelle said. “You don't want to have your first experience with them to be confrontational, because no matter how where, whatever you do next, it's always gonna come back to that.”

She aspires to “empower, guide and lead” and already made a great first impression and connection with Sharon, featured in the story above.

Sharon said of her first meeting with Michelle, “She is awesome. It was a like a therapy session. I love her. We really seemed to connect. She sure did hold me up and tell me what she saw in me.” That sure is a great impression!

“In the few weeks she has been with us, Michelle has been incredibly responsive and flexible to the needs of the residents and our buildings,” said Melissa. “I am confident that having Michelle onboard will help to strengthen the collaborative efforts of our in-house Property Management and Resident Services teams in Edison to ensure successful tenancy outcomes and the wellbeing of our residents and programs.

On behalf of the residents of Imani Park and Amandla Crossing, we are glad to welcome Michelle to the team!

Resident-led food demonstration at Imani Park

Yoga session at Amandla Crossing hosted by Robert Wood Johnson Medical School students

Resident-led food demonstration at Amandla Crossing

Heart Healthy Plate Demo Amandla Crossing and Imani Park

We have great things planned for the end of the year holidays 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