Wondering how you can help the homeless this winter? Here are eight Hudson County organizations that are doing the hard work of fighting homelessness locally — read on for quick links to donate, attend upcoming events, volunteer, and support their efforts!
Family Shelters
Family Promise of Hudson County
Family Promise of Hudson County mobilizes local faith-based congregations to act as rotating hosts, paired with a permanent drop-in center, with a goal of helping homeless and low-income families achieve sustainable independence. [Quick link to donate] [Amazon wishlist]
Upcoming event: Wintertide 12/13/18 Wintertide, a one-of-a-kind concert led by American musician and bandleader Jeremy Beck, will be held on Thursday, December 13 at St. Ann Catholic Church (704 Jefferson Street, Hoboken) at 8:00 p.m., with a reception following. Tickets can be purchased for $25 here or by calling 201-659-1114.
Material needs: Diapers, soap, shampoo, feminine products, toothpaste, toothbrushes, paper, pens, games (can be gently used), toys (can be gently used), towels, bottles, formula, baby food, coats, hats, gloves, scarves, backpacks, folders, notebooks, pencils, cleaning supplies, books (can be gently used), folding chairs, and non-perishable food items (cereal, soup, snacks, etc.) Contact [email protected] for drop-off instructions.
Volunteer opportunities: In addition to volunteering with host congregations to help welcome families, Family Promise is currently looking for volunteers to staff its Day Center (Fountain of Salvation, Jersey City) from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. Responsibilities will include spending time with families, light filing/office work, answering phones, etc. Click here or email [email protected].
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The York Street Project
Based in Jersey City, York Street “is a weaving of innovative programs which provide an environment to shelter, feed, educate and promote the healing of persons in need, especially women, children, and their families,” according to the agency’s mission statement. [Quick link to donate]
Upcoming events: Evening Under the Stars and Celebration of Hope are both scheduled for 2019. Online ticket sales for the agency’s annual “Evening Under the Stars,” which is slated for June 13, 2019, go on sale in January. Tickets will also go on sale soon for the agency’s “Celebration of Hope” fundraiser that will take place on March 7, 2019, at Liberty House restaurant in Jersey City.
Material needs: York Street requests that potential donors submit a list of intended items, with pictures if possible, using this contact form, or you may coordinate with their staff to organize a collection drive.
Volunteer opportunities: Click the volunteer tab to see the agency’s many volunteer opportunities!
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Hope House
Hope House, an emergency shelter for homeless women with children based in Jersey City, houses up to 20 mothers and their children. The program offers short-term supervised residence, including three meals a day, assessment/planning, case management, housing, education, food, and clothing.
Please call the agency at 201-420-1070 for donation and volunteering information.
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Young Adults
Covenant House New Jersey
Covenant House, which operates a street outreach team as well as a drop-in center for homeless youth in Jersey City, aims to “protect the young people who come through our doors, be a reflection of love to them and help them to change their lives,” according to the agency’s mission statement. [Quick link to donate]
Upcoming events: Sleep Out – various dates in 2019; A Night of Broadway Stars – 2019. Covenant House New Jersey will host multiple opportunities throughout the state for volunteers to spend a night outside in order to raise funds and awareness for youth homelessness as a part of their national “Sleep Out” initiative. You can also save the date (June 18, 2019) for “A Night of Broadway Stars,” the agency’s annual fundraiser that features a star-studded lineup of noted performers under the direction of Neil Berg at NJPAC.
Material needs: Per the agency’s website, please contact Laura Diaz at 973-286-3447 for more information on how you can help with their current needs.
Volunteer Opportunities: Click the volunteer tab to see the agency’s many volunteer opportunities!
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Adult Shelters/Drop-In Centers
Garden State Episcopal Community Development Corporation
Garden State Episcopal’s homeless drop-in center in Jersey City offers a welcoming space for homeless folks to access social services and resources to help them on the pathway to permanent housing, along with snacks, toiletries, and other basic needs. The agency also sends street outreach teams into the Hudson County region daily to help connect homeless individuals and families with shelter and other resources. [Quick link to donate] [Amazon wishlist]
Upcoming event: Hudson County Interfaith Homeless Memorial 12/20/18 Each year, Garden State Episcopal CDC honors National Homeless Persons Memorial Day by co-hosting the Hudson County Interfaith Homeless Memorial Service. This year’s service will be held at Old Bergen Church in Jersey City at 1 p.m. on Thursday, December 20. All are welcome to attend, and the agency is asking for donations of non-perishable snacks and winter warmth gifts (hats, gloves, scarves, etc.) to distribute to homeless guests. Contact [email protected] for more information about donating and participating.
Material needs: Priority items: men’s and women’s new (packaged) underwear and socks, men’s winter coats (new or gently used), unisex hats, gloves and scarves, diapers and baby wipes, travel-size toiletries, paper goods, coffee, shelf-stable milk, and sandwich items. Please email [email protected] for a full list of needs or to schedule a drop-off.
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Palisades Emergency Residence Corporation
Located in Union City, PERC shelters up to 140 homeless men and women each evening, serves more than 250 meals a day in its soup kitchen, and operates a daily drop-in center that offers case management, showers, laundry services, and hot meals to homeless individuals. [Quick link to donate] [Amazon wishlist]
Material needs: Priority items: men’s and women’s new (packaged) underwear and socks, men’s winter coats (new or gently used), unisex hats, gloves and scarves, travel-size toiletries, paper goods, coffee, laundry detergent, new or gently used twin-size bedding. Please email [email protected] for a full list of needs or to schedule a drop-off.
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St. Lucy’s Emergency Shelter
St. Lucy’s offers emergency housing, food, and social services for single men and women in need. The shelter provides two meals a day, clothing, and other self-care needs, as well as a shower program and outreach services for the unsheltered homeless.
Material needs: The shelter is currently in need of bath towels; twin-size bedding; paper goods such as disposable plates, bowls, and cups; snacks; coffee; juice; and convenience items like oatmeal packets. Donations can be dropped off 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at the shelter, which is located at 619 Grove Street in Jersey City, or you can call them at 201-656-7201 for more information.
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The Hoboken Shelter
The Hoboken Shelter provides shelter to 50 people nightly, serves 530 meals daily, and provides such support services as case management, counseling, job and life skills training, and permanent supportive housing solutions. [Quick link to donate] [Amazon wishlist]
Upcoming event: Winter Auction 12/11/18 Hoboken Shelter’s Fifteenth Annual Winter Auction is set for Tuesday, December 11 from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at Birch in Hoboken. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased here.
Material needs: Men’s clothing, especially socks and underwear; paper goods such as disposable plates, bowls, and cups; snacks; coffee; and toiletries. Please click here to view a full list of priority items.
Volunteer opportunities: Click the volunteer tab to see the agency’s many volunteer opportunities!
