Forty-three homeless people have made their way into permanent homes this year thanks to the efforts of the Hoboken Homeless Shelter at Third and Bloomfield streets. Executive Director Jaclyn Cherubini is hopeful that by the end of the year, the number will reach 100.
According to Cherubini, of the 43 people who found permanent housing, 32 moved into their own market-rate apartments in Hudson County, seven were reunited with their families, and four moved into program housing, such as a nursing home or affordable group home.
Another way for the shelter to find homes for guests is through a partnership between the shelter, Start Easy Eagle Development (SEED), and the Jersey City Housing Authority (JCHA). The JCHA took four residents last year.
“We work with each and every person to help them achieve their goal of ending homelessness.” – Executive Director Jaclyn Cherubini
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The shelter helps the guests find jobs on sites like Craigslist so that they can eventually find homes. They also provide case managers to assist former guests with their new living situation.
SEED is a non-profit organization whose mission is to increase affordable housing opportunities in Northern New Jersey. The Jersey City Housing Authority runs federally subsidized low-income housing in that city.
Rules along the way
“We work with each and every person to help them achieve their goal of ending homelessness,” Cherubini said last week. But not everyone is able to stay at the shelter. It enforces strict rules against drug and alcohol use, curfews, and other matters.
“One of [the rules] is that the guests must save 90 percent of their income,” Cherubini said.
In addition to saving, the guests should “stay safe, stay sober, and work to end homelessness.”
In July, the shelter helped 14 guests find employment, which, to Cherubini, is one of the main steps to completely ending their homelessness.
Cherubini believes that saving money is an important goal toward ending homelessness, but education helps too. That is where James Shipman, assistant director of the Hoboken Shelter, does his best work.
‘Helping people resistant to change’
Shipman possesses a master’s degree in human services and is a licensed clinical drug and alcohol counselor. Such an advanced education could land Shipman lucrative money in a different sector, but he sees a higher calling.
“I love seeing people move from homelessness to permanent residences,” Shipman said. “My specialty is helping people that are resistant to change.”
Part of Shipman’s day includes instructing classes on how to obtain a job, and proper ways to budget a low income.
In addition to counseling in the shelter, Shipman checks up on those who have moved onto permanent housing.
“I stop by and case manage them and make sure they’re doing the right thing, paying their bills,” Shipman said.
History
The shelter began in 1982 by the faith based communities in Hoboken, and now serves 80-100 people every night for dinner. Fifty guests stay overnight each night.
Cherubini sees the work as more than just providing food and shelter.
“We are feeding the whole person,” Cherubini said. “We try to take a holistic approach here.”
She added, “We have 3,000 volunteers throughout the year that serve meals.”
The shelter has served 55,000 people in 2008, 85,000 in 2009, and may cross the 100,000 meal plateau in 2010.
A grant from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (NJDCA) upgraded the building to become ADA accessible by funding an elevator for the building. The grant was awarded in 2008, and the ribbon cutting ceremony for the elevator occurred in March of 2009.
A current project for the shelter includes constructing new offices for employees, including case managers. This is being funded by a Hudson County Community Development Block Grant.
According to Cherubini, 50 percent of the shelter’s funding comes from the government, 25 percent comes from individual donations, and the other 25 percent comes from fundraising.
One such event took place last week at City Bistro, which asked for a $25 donation at the door. The shelter is in the process of planning a silent auction for December.