Winter Coat Drive Begins In Rockland

From Rockland Co. Legislature: Rockland County Legislator Aney Paul’s annual Winter Coat Drive is under way and continues throughDec. 31. New and gently used winter coats and clothing are being accepted.

This year, all donations will benefit Helping Hands for the Homeless of Rockland County, a non-profit organization that aids our homeless neighbors and now operates the Safe Haven program at the new Rockland County Warming Center in Pomona.

“Helping Hands is doing an outstanding job serving our neighbors in need,” Legislator Paul said. “Local residents who want to help can do so simply by donating winter coats and clothing they are no longer using. With community support, we can all help our neighbors struggling through tough times.”

Helping Hands has been assisting Rockland’s homeless population for decades, relying on assistance from some 3,000 volunteers and the goodwill of local churches and synagogues who open their doors to provide a place of refuge on the coldest of nights.

But the model of operation is no longer efficient, according to Helping Hands’ Executive Director Ya’el Williams, who approved participation in the winter coat drive.

Rockland County has one family shelter, but until now, had no place for single adults to stay on cold nights.

Last year, Gov. Cuomo required shelter be provided to the homeless when temperatures drop below 30 degrees between Nov. 1 andApril 30.

Rockland County’s response to all of the challenges has been to open the Warming Center, which will be open nightly throughout the six-month period, no matter the temperature. The county and Helping Hands signed a contract to have the organization operate the center.

Helping Hands provides transportation to and from the warming center from sites in Nyack, Haverstraw village and Spring Valley. No one is turned away.

Helping Hands works closely with the county Department of Social Services and all arrivals to the warming center are screened to determine their medical and mental health needs. Efforts are also made to determine if a guest is eligible for housing assistance or job training. Hot food and showers, as well as laundry facilities are among the other services.

“Please check your closets and donate whatever you can,” Legislator Paul said. “Not only will the coats and clothing keep our neighbors warm, it will let them know that others are thinking of them and trying to help them.”

Drop off donations weekdays at the Legislature’s Office in the Allison-Parris County Office Building, 11 New Hempstead Road in New City. Call (845) 638-5100 for more information.

Image Courtesy of Rockland Co.