Jersey Shore Magazine

J e r s e y s h o r e • F A L L / H O L I D A Y 2 0 2 0 16 BEACHCOMBER continued from page 15 many individuals are not able to earn enough money to make ends meet. "The homeless cannot move forward when there's no way to earn enough to pay for food or even a small place of their own. I know a mother with two adult children and all three work minimum-wage jobs, but together they do no earn enough to afford basic rent. These are hard-working people who want to do the right thing and carry their weight, but can't." Brigham said that the family goes from living in a tent to hotel rooms then back to a tent in the woods on a regular basis. Brigham shared the stories of two homeless men, both named Michael, who recently passed away to illus- trate the fact that the homeless rarely have access to medical care and are more susceptible to illness. "The first Michael, who was an original Tent City resident, lived in his tent outside a Lakewood church and was employed by one of the stores down- town. He fell and hit his head one evening but had no way to call an ambulance. He slipped into a coma and died. The other Michael lived in Neptune in the woods off Route 66 and had a seizure issue during the night. Friends found him the follow- ing morning, but it was too late." Pantry hours and pick-up proce- dures changed as a result of the pan- demic, which adversely affected the homeless population. "Without a car or a phone to call ahead for pickup, the new procedures tend to be diffi- cult for many homeless to get food they used to rely upon," Brigham said. "We're busier now because we will help with such things." Without organized meals at churches and the like as a result of the ban on indoor dining and gath- ering of groups, perhaps the pandem- ic's biggest impact on the homeless is the lack of social contact. "We're filling the gap by delivering food, but they miss that opportunity to just talk to people," Brigham said. Brigham has long recognized the need for a permanent homeless shel- ter in Ocean County. "The cycle of living in hotels is a bottomless pit," he said. "If the money spent by the government to house people in hotels was, instead, put towards a more per- manent solution, such as accessible low-income housing, that would be a huge step in the right direction." The need for tents, tarps, and basic necessities will continue long after the pandemic ends. "When someone tells me they need a new tent because the one they have was destroyed by weather, I'll make sure they receive a new tent immediately," Brigham said. The colder months usher in a new set of needs for the people Brigham helps, including winter weather gear such as coats and jackets, gloves and hats, and sweatshirts. "We're accept- ing anything we can get our hands on, but the winter is really tough for these folks," he said. Jersey Shore Rescue Mission – Monmouth County The Jersey Shore Rescue Mission, which ministers to the homeless, helpless, and hopeless in Asbury Park, first opened its doors in 2007 and is all about help for today plus healing and hope for tomorrow. The Mission assists with meeting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the homeless through a structured program which enables them to lead responsible and productive lives, as well as providing immediate care and other services. Founded by the leadership of the Market Street Mission in Morristown, which was established in 1889, the Mission's services include the Basic Needs Program, a thrift store, and The Life Change Program, all of which operate using donated funds. Over the past fourteen years, the Mission typically provides at least fifty people a day with meals and shelters between fifteen and forty a night. The Mission has a strong, spir- itual foundation, and with a strong community of believers, it is their hope that those they help will claim victory over their struggles. "The Basic Needs program provides emergency overnight shelter, meals, showers, and clothing," said Phil Richards, Director. "The pandemic has definitely interrupted the usual flow of activity, and intakes for our pro- gram and shelter were put on hold." Richards explained that while the Mission is returning to its previous flow, it has been a challenge because of changes with regards to proce- dures and service referrals. "We have continued to provide meals to the community on a to-go basis from our front door and our program and shelter are slowly taking in new men, but with restrictive guidelines," he said. "Those seeking help must come via a referral from social service agencies or hospitals and must prove COVID negative." The Life Change Program is a long- term residential treatment program that lasts approximately nine months and offers a "hand up" rather than a "hand out" to men affected by addic- tion or other life controlling issues. "One of the most exciting things that takes place is at our graduation, celebrating the men completing the Life Change Program," Richards said. "Every April, August, and September about fifteen men graduate from each class, and it's there that you will hear life changing testimonies." Richards spoke of a young man named Clay, who stayed at the shel- ter just prior to the COVID crisis, to illustrate just one example of how the Mission extends a helping hand. "Clay never held a job and his social security card was lost when he was in grade school. After several attempts to help him, he was finally able to attain his social security card, and shortly after, he was able to obtain assistance from social services and find employment," he said. "Now Clay reads a Bible someone else from our shelter gave him, and he is very hopeful." The health and safety of all shelter courtesy Phil Richards, JSRM Program Director The Jersey Shore Rescue Mission In Asbury Park.

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