Service Fair, ‘Blankets Of Hope’ Reach Out To Homeless In Newark

NEWARK, NJ — Newark advocates continue to reach out to the city’s homeless population, including an annual event in Military Park that connected more than 500 people with vital social services.

The Bridges Outreach Project Connect Service Fair was held at Military Park in Newark last month, bringing together 30 social service providers in the city at one location.

Sponsored by Prudential and run by Bridges Outreach – a nonprofit that runs a program in Newark and Summit – the event included participation from the New Jersey Department of Health, the City of Newark Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services, Newark Community Solutions, Newark Emergency Services for Families, the Newark Community Street Team, the Mental Health Association, and Soldier On.

Visitors got a hot meal purchased from Newark Working Kitchens, brown bag sustainable meals, hygiene supplies and clothing, as well as free haircuts from Zoe Hair Studio in South Orange.

They also got a big boost back on their feet. Over a span of just three hours, the Bridges Outreach team conducted intake sessions with nearly 75 people, assisting 24 with securing identity documents, placing 12 into shelters, connecting two with admittance into detox centers, and scheduling 12 with follow-up case management appointments.

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BLANKETS OF HOPE

Meanwhile, an outreach event dubbed “Blankets of Hope” aimed to make a difference for people experiencing homelessness across New Jersey, including Newark.

Columbia Bank Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs in New Jersey, and Blankets of Hope recently teamed up to give 1,536 “Blankets of Hope” to community members at shelters, military clubs and other nonprofits.

Purchased by the Columbia Bank Foundation, the blankets were distributed to several Boys & Girls Clubs in New Jersey chapters – including Newark – where children participated in Blankets of Hope’s “Kindness Workshop.” Youths were led through an empathy exercise to imagine what it’s like to experience homelessness, then created colorful, handwritten notes of hope, love and encouragement to pair with each blanket.

The heartwarming gifts were then delivered to local shelters and other organizations, including Covenant House in Newark.

“Thanks to the continued support of the Columbia Bank Foundation, there will be endless ripples of hope, love, and kindness spreading through New Jersey for years to come,” said Michael Fiorito, founder at Blankets of Hope.

• See related article: Essex County Still Has The Most Homeless People In New Jersey

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