600 Served At Hope & Comfort Center In Red Bank This Winter

RED BANK, NJ — Winter is coming to a close, but it's an especially long season when you don't have a permanent home.

The Pilgrim Baptist Church's Warming Center has long had a mission to offer a warm, comfortable shelter to men without a permanent home on Code Blue nights – when temperatures drop to 32 degrees or below, according to Monmouth County ACTS, a county social services agency.

The concept was led by Pastor Terrence K. Porter, senior minister of the church, and the center became a “go-to” place, serving an average of 21 guests on Code Blue nights, according to the county agency that is working with the center.

And now the original Warming Center is working with other community partners, such as the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, to meet an even greater need, the county said in a recent update of the center's service to community this past winter.

The Warming Center was "rebranded" to the "JBJ & PBC Hope & Comfort Center," said Monmouth ACTS (Assisting Community Through Services).

And since November 2022, the center provided services to more than 600 guests – "a testament to the community need as well as the successful collaborative undertaking," Monmouth County ACTS said.

“We’ve developed an effective community-based model that brings all the stakeholders together to provide services,” said Porter in a news release from Monmouth County ACTS. “We see firsthand how we’re making a positive impact for our guests and hope and pray other communities will replicate our initiative.”

The agency said guests are provided with a safe, comfortable and secure location during Code Blue Nights, Code Red days in the summer and during inclement weather.

And there is a big need for the service in Monmouth County, the social services agency notes.

Social service needs studied

In 2016, Monmouth County conducted a Human Services Needs Assessment to determine "current strengths, needs, aspirations, service gaps and resources" for social services. And as a way to meet unmet service needs, the county created Monmouth ACTS in 2018.

According to Monmouth ACTS, it is "an innovative public-private partnership between Monmouth County government and its human services stakeholder community."

One key finding of the 2016 assessment showed that county service providers do not generally collaborate to offer comprehensive services to residents, that many residents are not aware of or not using services, and that many opportunities exist for innovative strategies to better reach and serve residents, according to Monmouth ACTS.

Many needs particular to Monmouth County were identified, including the high price of housing, limits to transportation and an aging - often isolated - population, among other demographic data.

So the agency added its presence to the network of support for the Hope & Comfort Center.

Collaboration in Red Bank

Through community partnerships including Charitable Pharmacy, Reentry of NJ and Red Bank Police Department, services offered to guests include: overnight lodging, laundry services, shower and clothing, hot meals, transportation, social service resources, physical health examination and mental health services.

Monmouth ACTS recounted some examples this year of how the center served the public.

For example, every Thursday evening on a Code Blue night, partner agency Monmouth CARES’ community group Empower Me helps guests access social services throughout Monmouth County, including obtaining personal documentation like birth certificates and driver’s licenses.

Through a partnership with Parker Health Center, representatives provide physical exams and check guests’ vaccination status.

In one case, a man’s life was saved: A podiatrist offered services at the Center for two nights – guests were welcome to stay those nights as long as the podiatrist could examine their feet. As an incentive, guests would receive a free pair of boots.

As a result of the exam, one guest with severe diabetes was rushed to the hospital. The guest is now a patient at Parker Health.

“It is incredibly inspiring to witness the positive change that occurs when community leaders partner to help their neighbors in need,” said Commissioner Sue Kiley, liaison to the Department of Human Services of Monmouth County. “By joining forces and working toward the common goal of providing health and safety resources to those seeking help, everyone benefits and lives are saved.”

To learn more about Monmouth ACTS, click on this link. To learn more about Pilgrim Baptist Church, 172 Shrewsbury Ave., click on this link.