Homeless

It's truly heartbreaking to see and hear about how so many of our brothers and sisters in the community have fallen on hard times and in some cases, have nowhere to live, nowhere to sleep, nothing to eat, nothing to use to keep warm.

On Wednesday evening, several groups including the Ocean County Homeless Prevention and Assistance Coalition and Ocean's Harbor House are hosting the Ocean County Homeless Persons Memorial Service to remember those who have passed away.

I was in New York City walking up Varick Street to my subway stop when I saw a young homeless man. He was standing near the stairs to the subway in winter with no shirt, hugging himself with tears running down his cheeks. He was crying and screaming out loud to anyone who would listen, “don’t you see me? I’m hungry and I’m cold…don’t you see me?”

The conversation has only just begun, the work to help and serve the poor and homeless is a continual mission in Ocean County, the Jersey Shore and beyond.

Ocean County is the only county in the state not to have year round transitional housing for the homeless.

The New Jersey Department of Human Services is dedicating $2.5 million to help counties and municipalities open warming centers for homeless individuals as we head into winter.

Each of these gallon-size Ziplocs contains water, snacks, socks, a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, lotion, deodorant, and a razor.