What better way to celebrate the end of summer than with a delicious barbeque, fun activities, and good company?

Our shelter guests and staff were given just that recently, hosted by two teams from the Leadership Morris Class of 2022. Leadership Morris is a community education program offered by the Morris Chamber of Commerce, that “teaches business leaders and nonprofit executives about the opportunities, challenges, institutions and people of Morris County.”

To kick off the festivities, the Leadership Morris class, along with the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris counties, presented a yellow “People’s Picnic” table to the shelter, where our guests will be able to sit and enjoy each other’s company and conversation. The Leadership Morris team painted the picnic table, which will also serve as a visual reminder for mental health awareness. You may see these yellow picnic tables around Morris County, inspiring communities to create a stigma-free space for community and connection.

In keeping with the spirit of the presentation, our shelter guests and staff were then invited to sit down together to enjoy a cookout dinner, generously prepared by the Leadership Morris team members as part of a service project in the program. Led by our own Elizabeth Rogers, HSI’s Mental Health & Addictions Division Manager and a Leadership Morris participant, they came together to collect donations, shop for the picnic items and grill for the guests. Fun was had by all as the music, food, and games left a remarkable impression on our guests and staff!

Thank you to Leadership Morris and the MHA!