Brick Awards $44,400 In Grants To Community Groups

BRICK, NJ — As Brick Township officials presented grant funding to 14 community organizations, the township highlighted the work of those assisting victims of domestic violence.

The money, a total of $44,400, comes from funding provided by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development's Community Development Block Grant Public Services Program.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the issue has taken on greater attention in the wake of a pair of murders in the township in the last several weeks. In both cases, family members are accused of killing other family members.

Dottie's House, which helps women with children rebuild their lives after escaping domestic violence through a two-year program that helps them become self-sufficient, received $1,500 from the township. It offers furnished apartments, and when the residents graduate from the program, they receive the furnishings to help them take the next step in their new lives.

Providence House, which served more than 2,000 people in 2018, provides both emergency assistance and outreach services for victims of domestic violence, including help in filing restraining orders and representing themselves in court, along with counseling for both victims and their children. Providence House received $10,000 from Brick.

Every year, the township receives grant money from the federal Community Development Block Grant program that is passed on to local service providers. The township also administers housing rehabilitation projects and public infrastructure improvements through funding received from the CDBG program annually.

The program has been providing communities with these funds since it began in 1974.

"I cannot understate the importance of the organizations we are supporting through the CDBG program," Brick Mayor John G. Ducey said. "They provide essential and critical services to people, many of whom are among the most vulnerable people in our communities."

The organizations receiving grants were:

Providence House, $10,000
A division of Catholic Charities, Providence House provides a wide variety of services related to preventing domestic violence and assisting its victims. For many years, the township has worked with Providence House to fight domestic violence in our community. Providence House may be reached at 732-350-2120.

Community Services, Inc. of Ocean County/Meals on Wheels, $7,000
Through its "Meals on Wheels" program, Community Services Inc. provides nutritious meals to homebound elderly in their own homes. The program also serves meals daily to seniors at the Brick Township Senior Center on Adamston Road. For more information, please call 732-367-1400 or the Brick Senior Center at 732-920-8686.

Church of the Visitation, $3,900
The Church of the Visitation on Mantoloking Road hosts a community lunch on the third Wednesday of each month. Lunches are free and available from noon-1 p.m. For more information call 732-255-2835.

Interfaith Hospitality Network of Ocean County, $3,750
There are times when families face becoming homeless because of personal, financial or medical reasons. Interfaith Homeless Assistance provides a safety net program for Brick Township residents who face becoming homeless. They may be reached at 732-736-1550.

Ocean’s Harbor House, $3,750
Ocean’s Harbor House provides free short-term shelter and crisis intervention for male and female children ages 10-17. Any youth who is homeless, has runaway, been thrown away or abused, or is otherwise in need of immediate intervention may find help 24 hours a day at this safe haven. Their Shelter Services 24 Hours/Day Hotline is 732-929-0660 and their Outreach Center phone number is 732-929-0096.

Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey, $4,000
Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey is a nonprofit interfaith organization that provides volunteers to assist frail elderly with simple daily tasks enabling them to live, with dignity, where they are most comfortable – in their own homes. And there is never a charge for help provided! Their phone number is 732-505-2273.

Church of the Epiphany, St. Vincent DePaul Society, $1,500
Volunteers provide counseling to those in need to manage housing expenses and provide financial assistance to cover food, clothing, utilities and rent. For more information please call 732-458-0220.

CONTACT of Ocean and Monmouth Counties, $1,500
CONTACT of Ocean & Monmouth Counties is a non-profit, charitable organization that provides trained telephone listeners who respond to human needs 24-hours a day. They offer free confidential crisis intervention, information on available resources and referral to community services. For more information call 732-240-6104. Their crisis hotline can be reached at 732-240-6100 or 609-693-5834.

Dottie’s House, $1,500
Dottie’s House provides transitional housing for victims of domestic violence and their children. These grant funds will help offset the operating costs for the transitional housing facility. They may be reached at 732-295-7380.

The Arc, Ocean County Chapter, $1,500
The Arc, Ocean County Chapter advocates for, provides supports and empowers children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families, ensuring they are accepted and valued as citizens of our community. The Arc does this through vocational, recreational, family support, residential, transportation and primary medical care programs. Their phone number is 732-363-3335 ext. 115.

Jersey Shore Council Boy Scouts of America, $1,500
Jersey Shore Council, Boy Scouts of America, headquartered in Toms River, serves more than 6,000 young people in four Jersey Shore counties: Atlantic, Ocean, Southeast Burlington and Ocean City in Cape May County. It is among the largest youth serving organizations in the state of New Jersey led by approximately 2,000 volunteers. For more information call 732-349-1037.

STEPS, $1,500
STEPS (Solutions to End Poverty Soon) works to solve the problems of poverty including lack of affordable housing, food instability, access to health care and decent wages. For more information call 732-367-1640.

Faith Fellowship Outreach Ministries, $1,500
Ocean County Homeless relief initiative will extend our reach and serve more individuals, families, and elderly in Brick as we continue our journey to eradicate homelessness in Ocean County. We will provide mobile meals to the low to moderate income populations and the immobile, clothes, toiletries, necessities and other resources to restore hope and dignity to those in need. For more information call 732-791-6509.

True Vine Community Services, $1,500
True Vine provides necessary resources to create a positive impact on the community through helping abused women, prisoner re-entry, and combating juvenile delinquency through counseling, training, mentoring, guidance and education. For more information call 732-910-3155.

Brick Township’s CDBG Program is administered by the township’s Land Use Office and township planner Tara Paxton. Groups wanting more information on how to apply for CDBG funding from the township can call 732-262-1039.

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