County staff and volunteers offer goods, services to those in need 

FREEHOLD, N.J. – Monmouth County’s annual Project Homeless Connect, a one-stop event to provide various health and human services for homeless residents or those who are on in danger of becoming  homeless, was held this week in Asbury Park, Freehold, Keansburg and Red Bank. 

“We offered a warm coat, assorted goods and a variety of health services to people,” said Freeholder Director John P. Curley, liaison to the county’s Department of Human Services. “Project Homeless Connect is the umbrella name for a nationwide effort to bring attention to efforts to end homelessness. This year we provided services to 527 individuals.”

“We connected with people by offering them help through many county and not-for-profit service providers,” Curley continued. “Coats, blankets and bed sheets are important and needed, but we also want to make sure that each person who needs and wants assistance is being helped.”

People without a permanent residence or who are at risk of being homeless were encouraged to participate. Attendees completed a very brief survey form before being provided food, clothing, free health screenings, employment resources and other services.