Stretched to the Limit
By Albert B Kelly
As you well know, it has been extremely cold lately and for
consecutive days at a time. The high temps in the 20’s and the overnight lows
in the single digits, along with the “feels like” temp in some cases below
zero, reminds me of the importance of Code Blue in Cumberland County. It
reminds me that no one should lose their life, as Joseph Henshaw did in
December of 2013, because they have no place to go.
But consecutive days of freezing temps also means that our
volunteers who staff the overnight hours at the warming centers are tired
because they have been going for many nights without a break. It’s not that
they’re complaining, but as I’ve worked many overnight shifts over the past
couple of weeks, I can see it in their eyes.
We need your help. Even if you can only volunteer for one
night here and there, it would allow other volunteers to get a break. If we
have some fresh reinforcements, we might make it through this winter in decent
shape. We’re only at the start of January, but the winter of 2017-2018 has set
records for the number of consecutive nights we’ve had Code Blue operational.
While my frame of reference, for obvious reasons is Bridgeton, I know my
counterparts in Millville and Vineland are in much the same situation-
volunteers pushed to the max doing multiple shifts per week.
So please consider helping out if you are able to do so-
even if it is just short-term to help get us through this current season. If
you would like to find out more information as to what exactly is involved with
volunteering for Code Blue, please visit www.codeblueccnj.org
, which operates under the auspices of M25 Initiative which not only oversees
Code Blue, but also the “Housing First” program focused on permanent solutions
to homelessness.
This is as it should be, because while Code Blue and the
temporary warming centers are what we do to meet the immediate needs of the
homeless men and women to have shelter from the freezing cold and to get a hot
meal, “Housing First” is what we do so that at some point, these same men and
women no longer need to come back to a temporary warming center because they
have stability and a home.
If you are unable to physically volunteer perhaps because of
work commitments, family obligations, health limitations, schedules, etc., then
perhaps you might consider making a monetary donation to Code Blue. I recognize
that not everyone has the time or the wherewithal to physically be present to
help, but they still desire to make a difference. A donation is a way to have
an impact.
In the near term, it costs an average of $500 a night for
Code Blue. This includes everything from hot meals and toiletries, to cleaning
supplies, cots, sheets, and pillows. Beyond that, there are the utility costs
(i.e. heating, electricity, etc.) of the various organizations and houses of
worship that open their doors to Code Blue and certain administrative costs to
cover.
Any monetary gift is very much appreciated because on
freezing nights like the ones we’ve had lately; it goes directly to saving
lives. Longer term, as it relates to “Housing First”, your gifts are part of
giving people stability and helping them gain back a measure of control and
dignity in their own lives and that’s no small thing. You can learn more these longer
term efforts efforts and how you can help by visiting http://www.m25initiative.org/
But for right now, with consecutive days of sub-freezing
temps, in the heat of this Code Blue moment (no pun intended), we’re stretched
to the limit. We need volunteers to help provide staffing at the warming
centers not only for those seeking shelter, but for the volunteers currently on
their fourth, fifth, six, or seventh night in a row working a Code Blue shift.
Please consider being our much needed “fresh reinforcements”.
As stated above, you can explore what is involved with Code
Blue and/or actually sign up by visiting
http://www.codeblueccnj.org/
and clicking through the various links. If you would prefer to speak with me to
get some background and hear my own experiences as a volunteer, please call my
office at (856) 455-3230 Ext 200 and leave your number and will be back in
touch with you. Whatever you do…keep warm and stay safe.