MEDIA ALERT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Mayor Albert Kelly
(856) 455-3230 Ext 200
Dr. Rob Weinstein
(609) 504-4275
KELLY AND WEINSTEIN
TO HOST CODE BLUE FORUM IN BRIDGETON
(BRIDGETON, NJ)—Bridgeton
Mayor Albert Kelly and Bethany Grace Church Pastor Dr. Rob Weinstein announced plans
to co-host an open forum for community members, groups, churches, and
government officials on the new Code Blue initiative recently launched in the city
to provide shelter for the homeless during the winter months. The forum will be
held on Thursday, February 13 at 6:30 PM at Bethany Grace Community Church
located at 31 N. Pearl Street.
“The purpose of this forum
is to help the general public and potential partners in Bridgeton and
throughout the county understand what Code Blue is, share the lessons we’ve
learned, and discuss opportunities for participation,” Kelly said.
The Code Blue initiative
was launched two months ago by Kelly in conjunction with Bethany Grace Church,
St Andrews Church, and the Salvation Army in an effort to provide shelter,
meals and other assistance the homeless during the winter months. According to
Kelly, the program shows the value of forming partnerships.
“This program has
demonstrated the value of partnership and the promise it holds for our future.
We have seen a great outpouring of help from our businesses, police force, and
countless volunteers who make it all happen. We believe this model can and
should be replicated in other areas.” said Kelly.
Initially proposed by
Kelly, Code Blue added leadership in the form of Dr. Rob Weinstein (Bethany
Grace), Ellen Rutherford (St. Andrews) and James Stevenson (Salvation Army).
These local congregations quickly agreed to serve as designated “warming
centers” on a rotating basis along with handling staffing to assist those
staying at the centers.
While successful and much
in demand with overnight winter temps in the single digits for much of the
season so far, Bethany Graces’ Pastor Rob Weinstein would like to see as many
as possible involved in Code Blue not just for the homeless, but for the
satisfaction that comes from helping through volunteer service.
“It’s important for the
public to know that there’s something everyone can do to help our community
deal with homelessness and hopelessness,” said Weinstein. “There are some
misconceptions about how people can help in Code Blue and we want to have a
dialogue on how people can assist” Weinstein added.
Beyond the specifics of
Code Blue, the forum will also address long-term solutions to homelessness in the
community as Kelly and Weinstein recently visited the Atlantic City Rescue
Mission to better understand the infrastructure for homelessness services.
“We put Code Blue together
with a couple of cots, compassion, and the willingness to serve; imagine what
we could do with some planning, big dreams, and the big hearts of those in our
community.” said Weinstein
While big hearts and big
dreams serve to undergird their vision, Kelly understands that long-term
solutions require patience and a lot of resources to be successful. “I have
been involved in Social Services for over 30 years and I know that addressing
problems in our community requires a holistic approach. The AC Rescue Mission
is not a home for the homeless, but a place to give them the resources they
need to become healthy and productive members of society,” said Kelly.
For now while Kelly,
Weinstein and the other volunteers are content to see Code Blue as a good first
step, they are not satisfied with allowing people to end up in a perpetual
cycle of homelessness and poverty
The Atlantic City Rescue
Mission model provides temporary shelter (up to a week) for the homeless who do
not enroll in an appropriate program. The homeless that do enroll in a program
are able to stay longer. The Rescue Mission also provides clothes, food, and
educational programs to the community.
“We can no longer afford
to try to do business as usual because we have serious needs that demand
serious action and we have seen that this community is ready to move from
complacency to compassionate action.” said Kelly
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To learn more about Code Blue, please
visit