Across New Jersey, homelessness continues to affect thousands of individuals and families. The latest Point-in-Time count identified 13,748 people experiencing homelessness statewide, including families, unaccompanied youth, and those living with chronic homelessness.
Operating in both counties, MHA’s Community Support Services (CSS) and Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) programs are on the front lines of this work.
Meet Daniel
On September 11, 2001, Daniel’s world completely changed. He worked at the World Trade Center in New York City, and the aftermath of that tragic day left scars that went far beyond the physical.
Daniel lost his job and, over time, his health. A debilitating lung disease made everyday tasks difficult, and grief led him to substance use and isolation from the fraternity brothers who once felt like family. As his depression deepened, the COVID-19 pandemic resurfaced traumatic 9/11 memories, overwhelming him. Struggling to cope, Daniel fell behind on rent and ultimately lost his home, moving in and out of shelters.
Meet Greg
Greg’s path was equally difficult. After years of caring for his mother, her passing left him heartbroken and alone. Soon after, he was diagnosed with cancer. A series of medical and mental health hospitalizations followed, and with rising healthcare costs and dwindling income, Greg lost his home in 2022. He then began staying with relatives, until eventually, he ended up finding himself unsheltered.
But this is not where Daniel’s and Greg’s stories end.
In 2024, both men connected with MHA’s Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) teams, where dedicated staff helped them take the first courageous steps toward rebuilding their lives through outreach, intensive case management, and housing support. With steady guidance, compassion, and collaboration among community partners, Daniel and Greg began their journey toward recovery and stability.
This past July, a housing opportunity became available through MHA’s Community Support Services (CSS) program. CSS aims to increase accessibility to quality, affordable housing in Essex and Morris Counties to individuals diagnosed with a serious mental illness while providing comprehensive, high-quality mental health services. With the help of their respective case managers, both Daniel and Greg applied and were approved for one of MHA's supportive housing properties. Today, they are more than just roommates; they are proof of what stability, dignity, and community can restore.
Their story is one of resilience and renewal, a testament to the power of second chances and to what is possible when a community stands together for those in need. After years of uncertainty, they now wake up each morning with hope, knowing that they are no longer facing life alone.
Please consider making a gift today. Your donation is the light that keeps hope shining for individuals like Daniel and Greg as they reclaim their dignity, their health, and their future.
Together, we can make a lasting impact.