HELP meeting Dec. 9 at Toms River library

The next meeting of HELP, Homelessness Ended through Local Partners, will be held 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9 at Ocean County Library's Toms River branch, 101 Washington Street. All are welcome to attend.

The meeting's agenda will be posted soon.

H.E.L.P. meeting agenda: July 11, 2011

1. Introductions (name and group association)

2. Committee and group reports:
• Housing Solutions Committee (“Lodge”, other housing, outreach to senior communities)
• Advocacy Committee (outreach to groups, local govt. leaders; Advocacy Plan)
• Board of Social Services Monitoring (Committee? Form?)

3. Lakewood Tent City and related reports regarding homelessness:
• Update regarding litigation and H.E.L.P. involvement
• Residents needs and concerns: advocacy assistance, transportation (establish targeted “needs” lists?)
• Other strategies and next steps

4. Discussion: identify and prepare funding applications to COC: vouchers, “Lodge” land acquisition, permanent housing “pilot project”, other possibilities
• Increase attendance, participation at CoC and CEAS
• Review H.E.L.P. “Goals and Objectives” for possible proposals
• Initial Notice of Intent due 7/14/11

5. Review: proposed attendance at upcoming Freeholder meeting
• Date: discuss target date in fall
• Purpose and focus: Trust Fund (possible referendum?); other (review talking points)
• Speakers: identify (Kiwanis, clergy, etc.)
• Getting the word out: how and when
• Alternative: private meetings

6. Website and related communications issues
• Update re on-line calendar and proposed Newsletter
• Brochure distribution
• Op-eds, letters, other possible ways of getting the word out

7. General updates, issues and concerns:
• Review of federal and state developments relevant to homelessness: COAH/Mt. Laurel case before Supreme Ct., budget proposals, legislation, etc.
• Status of County Homelessness Focus Group report and draft plan
• Concern: need to find ways to regain input and guidance from homeless individuals and families, and, and facilitate their attendance at meetings.
• Other concerns
8. Establish next meeting date

HELP meeting Monday, July 11th @ 7 p.m.

The next meeting of Homelessness Ended Through Local Partners (H.E.L.P.) will take place at the House of Hope (second floor) at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 11, 2011. [The PCTR is not available for this meeting. For those new to the group, the House of Hope is directly across the parking lot from the back entrance to the Presbyterian Church of Toms River.]