The M25 Initiative Board of Directors provided $15,000 in Cumberland County to help improve the health and well-being of homeless people.
The M25 initiative awarded $5,000 to an organization in Bridgeton, Millville and Vineland to create, expand or maintain a program that provides free showers and toiletries to homeless people.
“The M25 Initiative is focused on partnerships with individuals and organizations seeking to help our neighbors struggling with poverty, homelessness and food insecurity,” said Ray Garcia, Chair of the M25 Initiative. “The Shower Grant program is a natural extension of our efforts to support the work of churches and nonprofit partners by providing meals to our community, overnight shelter through the Code Blue program, and supportive housing. people facing chronic homelessness through our Housing First program. ”
Grants of $5,000 were awarded to Spirit and Truth Ministries in Vineland, Bethany Grace Community Church in Bridgeton, and Trinity Hope First Center in Millville.
Following:Craft beer and spirits industry inspires South Jersey farmer, winner of OYF National Award
Following:There’s a new pageant in town, featuring the Miss Tri-City Pageant
“Having a shower program at Trinity First Hope Center is going to be life changing for so many of our guests,” said Donna Stiles, Millville’s Code Blue Program and Care & Share Meals Coordinator. “Being homeless and having the facilities and the ability to shower will make many feel renewed. It will be such a blessing to our community. Thank you, M25!
Funds for Millville will be used to create permanent infrastructure to support an expanded shower program that is already operating in Millville in the same facility as the Code Blue Warming Center. Funds for Vineland will be used to expand the current shower program. Funds for Bridgeton will be used to support the ongoing program of weekly showers.
“To provide a shower to someone in need is to affirm their dignity and improve their quality of life,” said Dr. Robin Weinstein, founder of the M25 initiative and pastor of Bethany Grace Community Church, the first to establish a shower program in Cumberland County. . “In meeting the needs of our neighbours, we must have a holistic approach to meeting their physical, spiritual and psychological needs. Everyone should have access to a shower for their body, food for their stomach, a roof over their head, and a supportive community. This is the way forward for our region.
“Where there is soap and water, there are smiles and hope,” said Dave Moore, president-elect and chair of the Community Transformation Committee. “Sharing smiles and hope reflects commitment and camaraderie. Providing a simple shower to someone in need can mean so much more than soap and water. We are grateful for the work of our partners to provide showers and the generosity of our donors to make this program possible.
In addition to the shower grant program, the M25 Initiative has committed to providing $18,000 in funding to support the 2021-2022 Code Blue Warming Centers in Bridgeton, Millville and Vineland.
The M25 Initiative recently distributed over $25,000 in food insecurity funding to help nonprofits and churches feed those in need in Cumberland County.
The M25 Initiative also continues to fund the Cumberland County Housing First Collaborative, which houses individuals and families experiencing chronic homelessness.
The M25 Initiative is a 501c3 nonprofit organization in Cumberland County, NJ, created for the sole purpose of engaging, equipping, empowering, and mobilizing individuals and organizations to use innovative solutions and cooperatives to relieve suffering, feed the hungry, end poverty, reduce crime. , revitalizing a spirit of community and transforming lives.
To donate to the M25 Initiative or for more information, call 1-844-M25-HOPE or visit www.m25initiative.org.
Send community news and events to [email protected]. Help support local journalism by subscribing to the Daily Journal/Courier Post/Burlington County Times.
Comments are closed.