What we knew to be true in this year of uncertainty 2020 Annual Report BY MARY GAY ABBOTT-YOUNG, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER What We Knew To Be True In the beginning of March, when the pandemic began to surge, we knew three things were true. First, we knew that most of the individuals we serve essential workers safe. were highly vulnerable to contracting the coronavirus. We just knew what we had to do. The second thing we knew was that we had to remain Our resources were limited. There was no time to open 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week. spare. And each day brought unforeseen challenges to When the Governor directed everyone who was not an overcome. essential employee to stay home, we knew that staying So, we persisted – and believed. home was not an option for anyone who was homeless. Then, while intently focusing on the immediate and So, the third thing we knew was that we had to act fast. newfound needs of those we serve, our hearts were lifted The entire operation of The Mission had to be com- by the many philanthropic foundations and caring pletely transformed – in ways that we never previously individuals who reached out to help. considered. What we knew to be true was that even in the worst of times, the best always comes out in those who truly Heeding expert advice, a plan was quickly implemented care for others. for our Shelter and Behavioral Health Center, including: Your compassion and generosity let us know that we • Relocating some of our 41 tenants, so we could would come through this together. create a separate wing in The Shelter to keep our One donation came with a note that said, “Since we do most vulnerable clients safe; not need the stimulus check we received, we are sending • Creating a comprehensive telehealth program, with it to you.” over 225 weekly appointments, so our clients could In another envelope was a $20 bill, with a note that continue with their medical and counseling said, “I wish I could donate more. But I just lost my job. sessions; When I’m back on my feet, I’ll send more.” • Reconfiguring meals and smaller group counseling That brought us to tears. sessions so everyone could meet at a safe distance; And helped us to persevere. • Implementing Skype visits for family members; While we do not know what challenges the coming • Becoming the first facility in the area to test year will bring for those who have nowhere else to turn, everyone – clients and staff – once our first client what we know to be true is that we will be here – day-in contracted the coronavirus; and day-out, around-the-clock – because of you. • Creating a separate section to keep individuals who For now, I’d like to share with you three stories from tested positive (though asymptomatic) safe and the 1,448 individuals who were helped during this pan- isolated from everyone else; and demic because of your support: Robin, who was working • Working closely with area hospitals whenever until two years ago, never thinking she would need The anyone tested positive. Shelter; Virginia, a new mother who is in recovery; and Johnnie, who, along with 152 other individuals, was able We had no idea how we would possibly pay for all to move from The Shelter to his own apartment. that had to be done to keep those we serve and our Thank you for keeping them in your hearts! WHAT WE KNEW TO BE TRUE Robin Never Thought She lines stretching for miles at food banks, and the threat ROBIN Would Be Here of evictions looming – far too many people in our “Once my money Robin Watkins, who had been employed for 31 years, never community may be fac- ran out, I had thought she would be knocking on The Shelter’s door. ing the very real possibil- Then she lost her job, where she was working at a center ity of needing to knock nowhere else to for children with special needs. on The Shelter’s door. turn.” After that, Robin said, “Everything quickly unraveled.” A case manager at The “Once my money ran out,” she said, “I had nowhere else to Mission is now working turn.” with Robin to help her qualify for housing. “There are just a She was hungry, weary, and needed a place to rest her few more things I have to take care of before it happens,” she head. said, with a smile that can light up a room. So, she knocked. While this year continues to be filled with enormous And that sound shook her to her very core. uncertainty, what we know to be true is that, with your Then the door opened. help, we will continue, undaunted, with urgency and And she came in. compassion, to serve Robin and everyone else who Robin reminds us that now, in the throes of this economic knocks on our door. and health crisis – with two million individuals in New Together, we will put an end to homelessness – one Jersey suddenly becoming unemployed since mid-March, car person at a time. WHAT WE KNEW TO BE TRUE A Young Mother Overcoming Addiction Virginia delivered her son Jahid in a car on the way to the hospital. Jahid arrived just when most hospital beds were filled with patients who had contracted the coronavirus. Both Jahid and his mom were aching, sweating and shaking in withdrawal from being addicted to opioids. Virginia, as she said, had been “living in the street, scared and stumbling.” Having nowhere else to turn, Virginia called For My Baby and Me (a unique community-based partnership spearheaded by Capital Health) and spoke with Thomasine Gaines, a certified peer recovery specialist at The Mission. Thomasine has lived experience in overcoming poverty and addiction, which she draws upon to connect with, support, and at times challenge women who are pregnant, addicted, and seeking help. Virginia said, “I have weekly counseling sessions with Thomasine. And I talk with her daily. I love her. She keeps me motivated. She knows my roots. And she has helped me to recover, to stay on track, to get my life back together, and to stay clean for the 180 days since Jahid was born.” She added, “Thomasine has helped me to understand the reasons I am here. And the opportunities I have to change. Because she does VIRGINIA not judge me, and because she has been in my position, I feel a real sense of hope.” “Thomasine has Thomasine’s belief and hope in others comes from helped me under- a very deep place inside of her. She knows what life is like on the streets. stand the reasons “I have a deep hole in my arm from shooting I am here. And the heroin,” Thomasine shared. “It is an insidious and opportunities I have powerful drug that will capture you and change to change. Because everything about you. The craving has your mind all the time. And you’ll do all kind of low down stuff she does not judge just to have that drug inside of you,” she said. me, and because Then Thomasine added, “I know. I’ve been there. she has been in my So when I talk with these young women, they know position, I feel a real I’m not judging them. I come from a place of understanding. I am only there for one reason – sense of hope.” to help them and their baby.” Virginia’s mother now has custody of Jahid, while Virginia stays at HomeFront, continuing her counseling, until she finds housing. WHAT WE KNEW TO BE TRUE Moving From The Shelter To His Own Apartment Johnnie Larkins is one of the 153 individuals who we were able to help move from The Shelter to his own apartment this year, while the pandemic raged. His journey from homelessness began last Thanksgiving. It had been over a year since he saw his mother. “I didn’t want her to see me in the condition I was in,” he said. Then, the night before Thanksgiving, Johnnie said, “I thought I’d go home, have a meal with my mom and sisters, then go back on the streets.” When he got home, though, there was something about the sweet aroma of the turkey, stuffing and collard greens that took him back to his childhood. As memories flowed, his mom said she was glad to see him. Then she asked how he was. And Johnnie said, “I’m tired.” He said, “I was tired of hurting her. She has always been one of my biggest supporters. And she pushed me to get myself better. You know how moms do that?” As they ate and talked, one of his sisters offered to drive him to The Shelter. “That’s when I got serious,” he said. “I started talking with counselors and focusing on what I JOHNNIE needed to do to stay positive.” He also started doing laundry in The Shelter – washing, then “That’s when I got drying and folding sheets, pillowcases, towels and I started blankets for everyone who stays at The serious. Shelter. talking with When the pandemic struck, Johnnie was counselors and among the more vulnerable individuals who, focusing on what to be kept safe, was moved into a separate area I needed to do to where he had his own room. Now, he just moved to his own efficiency stay positive.” apartment in West Trenton. He begins each morning by taking a 15-minute bus ride to The Shelter, where he still takes care of the laundry, which he sees as his way of giving back.