The Geography of Hope: How Far Compassion Reaches in Southern NJ
http://www.countywomanmagazines.com/articles/28/1/The-Geography-of-Hope-How-Far-Compassion-Reaches-in-Southern-NJ-/Page1.html
William R. Southrey
William R. SouthreyBy William R. Southrey
Published on August 21, 2008
The reputation and reach of the Atlantic City Rescue Mission far exceeds its size — and it goes well beyond the city limits of Atlantic City!
by William R. Southrey, President/CEO
The reputation and reach of the Atlantic City Rescue Mission far exceeds its size — and it goes well beyond the city limits of Atlantic City! In fact, last year the Mission provided help to homeless men, women, and children hailing from New Jersey and 28 other states. Most of the people the Mission helps come from the ten counties of Southern New Jersey, as well as Philadelphia. In 2007, 2,018 of the Mission’s clients came from the State of New Jersey; 1,923 from the lower ten counties, including Camden County. 
What draws people to Atlantic City? While there are a host of factors, a city that keeps its doors open round-the-clock, has great appeal. Some come hoping to make a fast buck at the casinos; others hope to find work at one of the resorts. But all too often, the payoff fails to arrive, and the high cost of living in the area proves prohibitive for many who are then forced to either take shelter on the streets or under the boardwalk.
The services that the Mission offers to people in need are multi-faceted. One size does not fit all – each person is an individual with their own unique situation. The Mission’s current efforts include work skills training, housing placement, mental health care, drug treatment referral, and detox. Every year the Mission helps over 3,000 people. Of the 3,000 people the Mission helped last year, 604 were single women; 73 were mothers with 143 children. Many women and mothers with children become homeless as a result of domestic violence, and many single working mothers need the Mission’s shelter because they simply cannot make ends meet between the high cost of housing and childcare.
Last year alone, over 280,000 meals were served to those who were hungry, and beds were filled over 94,000 times with men, women, and children needing a safe place to sleep. While the Mission’s emergency services are comprehensive, the ultimate goal is to restore homeless people back into the fabric of society. Over the last four years, the Atlantic City Rescue Mission has accomplished this goal by placing more than 500 formerly homeless people into permanent housing with links to supportive services. Those who find their way to the Atlantic City Rescue Mission get another chance when life takes a wrong turn. And it’s possible only because of people with generous hearts who reach out and help the Mission care for the homeless and poor. The Mission is a non-profit organization funded primarily through donations. For information about how you can partner with the Mission to help people in need, go to www.acrescuemission.org.
The reputation and reach of the Atlantic City Rescue Mission far exceeds its size — and it goes well beyond the city limits of Atlantic City! In fact, last year the Mission provided help to homeless men, women, and children hailing from New Jersey and 28 other states. Most of the people the Mission helps come from the ten counties of Southern New Jersey, as well as Philadelphia. In 2007, 2,018 of the Mission’s clients came from the State of New Jersey; 1,923 from the lower ten counties, including Camden County. What draws people to Atlantic City? While there are a host of factors, a city that keeps its doors open round-the-clock, has great appeal. Some come hoping to make a fast buck at the casinos; others hope to find work at one of the resorts. But all too often, the payoff fails to arrive, and the high cost of living in the area proves prohibitive for many who are then forced to either take shelter on the streets or under the boardwalk.
The services that the Mission offers to people in need are multi-faceted. One size does not fit all – each person is an individual with their own unique situation. The Mission’s current efforts include work skills training, housing placement, mental health care, drug treatment referral, and detox. Every year the Mission helps over 3,000 people. Of the 3,000 people the Mission helped last year, 604 were single women; 73 were mothers with 143 children. Many women and mothers with children become homeless as a result of domestic violence, and many single working mothers need the Mission’s shelter because they simply cannot make ends meet between the high cost of housing and childcare. Last year alone, over 280,000 meals were served to those who were hungry, and beds were filled over 94,000 times with men, women, and children needing a safe place to sleep. While the Mission’s emergency services are comprehensive, the ultimate goal is to restore homeless people back into the fabric of society. Over the last four years, the Atlantic City Rescue Mission has accomplished this goal by placing more than 500 formerly homeless people into permanent housing with links to supportive services. Those who find their way to the Atlantic City Rescue Mission get another chance when life takes a wrong turn. And it’s possible only because of people with generous hearts who reach out and help the Mission care for the homeless and poor. The Mission is a non-profit organization funded primarily through donations. For information about how you can partner with the Mission to help people in need, go to www.acrescuemission.org.