Millburn Non-Profit, Amazon Partner To Assist Those In Need

MILLBURN, NJ — A Millburn-based not-for-profit organization is helping provide furniture for New Jersey storm victim as well as refugees arriving to the state. But the group is getting a major helping hand.

Warehouse NJ has partnered with Amazon to provide home furnishings from three refugee families from Afghanistan and Syria. The partnership has also provided furniture for fire victims in Newark and five families who lost belongings in Hurricane Ida.

The local organization works with communities service agencies in Essex, Union, and Morris County helping people transition from homelessness. Warehouse NJ provides furniture and household items and gives their clients the power to create their own living environment, the group said in a news release.

“The Warehouse NJ is incredibly thankful for this donation of furniture from Amazon,” founder Kim Sleeman said in the release. This is about helping families who have lost everything to gain back a sense of dignity and security in their lives,” said Kim Sleeman.

“We could not be prouder to be able to help these refugees who have just entered the country and are seeking a fresh start as well as the many families who were affected by the flooding of Hurricane Ida.”

Local social service agencies connect their clients with new housing, often working through a state-issued Section 8 voucher, but often do not have the resources to provide household essentials. Once a client is ready to move in, Warehouse NJ provides families these with all their furnishing needs to help them get settled when they otherwise would not be able to afford the new furnishings.

Over the past two years, about 50 percent of the move-ins have been in Newark and the remaining clients’ apartments were in Morristown, Elizabeth, Jersey City, the Oranges, and Irvington, the group said in the release.

"The Warehouse NJ is doing important work ensuring families here in New Jersey, and those seeking refuge from across the globe, are safe and comfortable in their homes,” Colin Newman, Amazon’s director of Public Policy for New Jersey said in the release. “We’re glad to support The Warehouse NJ with donations for those who need help starting a new chapter in their lives.”