Damaged Homeless Shelter Gets A Fresh Start In Somerset County

SOMERVILLE, NJ — Somerset County's only homeless shelter and services center for the homeless is getting a fresh start thanks to volunteers.

A few weeks ago, members of the Volunteer Squad involved with Leadership Somerset visited the Agape House in Somerville for a walk-through and program information.

They noticed the damaged building never had its repairs to the exterior living areas done since Hurricane Ida.

Wanting to make the outdoor areas liveable and safe, for the upcoming spring and summer, Stacey Friedlander, Founder of Volunteer Squad, decided to take on this mission.

Friedlander worked with Connie Milton, the on-site Social Services Coordinator, to have volunteers and landscaping technicians update their outdoor space and make it safe and liveable for clients and residents to enjoy.

Friedlander reached out to Marvin at Total Maintenance Pro, who in the past has given his time, labor and money to such projects.

Marvin immediately jumped on the mission and also connected Friedlander to Matt Ciffelli at Site One Landscape Supply out of Branchburg. Ciffelli and his organization donated 5 green velvet boxwoods and 80 variegated liriope plants. Between Marvin and Ciffelli, the donations are estimated in the range of $1,200.

The Volunteer Squad also put out a call to the community via social media asking for monetary donations or physical donations of additional butterfly-friendly plants and/or annuals to also be planted in garden beds by our volunteers. The Volunteer Squad raised $750 towards the project and had several volunteers from Leadership Somerset sign up to help plant.

On May 14, Marvin and his team, along with Ciffelli, and Friedlander met at the Agape House in the morning to begin the project and clean up.

Volunteers also included, Jen Dawson, along with her husband Ed Dawns and son Eddie Dawson
of Green Brook, and Licia Baylis, along with her son Preston.

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