Smart Giving Options to Consider:
Bringing about meaningful change for the people we serve
Special projects and funds are a vital part of how Homeless Solutions fills a need beyond the stable housing, case management, and supportive services we offer, allowing us to pursue unique initiatives and address critical needs in our programs. By leveraging these focused resources we can address specific challenges that wouldn't be possible through general funding alone.
Sponsorship funds like the Family Angel Network help give families in our Transitional Housing Program a brighter future by helping defray the cost of living while in the program.
Single projects like room renovations and campus improvements enable us to tackle specific goals and implement innovative solutions. Our shelter family kitchen renovation in 2024 brought life to a room in need of some love and maximized the space better for multi-family use.
Upgrades to our playgrounds, shared spaces and campus buildings will improve the quality of life for our guests and tenants and let them focus on their journey back to stable, permanent housing. Your generosity through these projects maximize your impact as a supporter and ultimately brings about meaningful change for the people we serve.
Looking for a way to support? Sponsor a family's shelter room!
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to move into a home without any household essentials? This is the reality for so many families coming into our shelter program, making the emotional and physical transition even more challenging for them.
HSI’s Sponsor a Family Shelter Room is a way for interested individuals, companies and community groups to help families feel a sense of comfort and ease as they begin their journey out of homelessness.
A gift of $550 will support the purchase of curated contents for a family moving into the shelter. Fresh sheets, a cozy comforter, pillows, towels and a bedside nightlight (offering a sense of security for little ones in a new environment) are some of the essentials your gift will make possible. These items not only provide comfort and warmth, but a feeling of peace, so families have the ability to focus on rebuilding their life knowing their basic needs are being met.
Your kindness will endure, as our families will be able to take the sponsored room items when they move to their next housing destination. Complete the form below to join us as a Family Shelter Room sponsor today and help us give families hope for a better future.
You will receive a gift receipt once your gift has been processed. In addition, you will be notified when your sponsor package has been shared with a family!
For more information, please contact Tamala Reynolds at TamalaReynolds@hsinj.org or (973) 993-0900 x213.
Or learn how you can become a FAN Sponsor:
Give Hope . . . Sponsor a Family
The HSI Family Angel Network (FAN) was created to help families propel themselves out of homelessness. Individuals, faith communities, corporations and groups are encouraged to join us as a FAN by “sponsoring” an apartment in our Transitional Housing Program (THP). As a sponsor, you will receive regular updates on the progress of our families as they move through the program. There are also many optional opportunities to interact directly with families and help facilitate their journey to self-sufficiency.
Why Are Fan Supporters Needed Now?
Despite the program’s incredible success record, federal funding has dwindled over the years, and we now must rely totally on philanthropy to continue this life-changing program.
The Transitional Housing Program was started 28 years ago and since its inception it has proven again and again that this program works for families! The program is unique in that it gives struggling and motivated families the time (up to 18 months) and support they need to save money, learn and practice important life skills, build their career opportunities and secure permanent housing so they can rebuild their lives and break the cycle of homelessness. The 10 unit, THP apartment building, built in 1996, with philanthropic support, provides a welcoming and safe environment and structured support programs for families to continue on their journey to independence. We are proud that 95% of our THP graduates are residing in permanent affordable housing and are thriving.
How You Can Help
- Join us as a distinguished FAN Sponsor with an annual commitment of $25,000 and help us strengthen families and give them hope for a brighter future. Gifts can be made annually and multi-year annual pledges of $25,000 are welcome and appreciated as they help us plan for the future.
- We realize that this level of commitment may be unrealistic for some interested supporters and/or your circumstances may change leaving you unable to renew at the FAN level but please know gifts of all sizes are welcome and appreciated to support this life-changing program.
For more information, please contact Stephanie Cicale at StephanieCicale@hsinj.org or (973) 993-0900 x120
Art and Ann Corwin
“We have been supporting Homeless Solutions for almost 20 years and have witnessed firsthand the impact they have made in our community. We are long-time supporters of the Transitional Housing Program and have made a 5-year pledge to continue our Family Angel Network commitment.
What makes this program so special is that it provides housing for families and so much more! Educational programs like financial literacy and counseling help give parents the tools they need to succeed. This program is a true testament to HSI’s mission of a hand up not a hand out and the success rate of the participants is truly amazing. It is our hope that others will be inspired to join us in helping individuals and families gain independence and reestablish themselves in our community.”
(Pictured from left to right are the Corwins with Shannon Muti, HSI Director of Programs & Services and Stephanie Cicale, HSI Chief Development Officer)
Pattie and Mike Gayda
“One of the things that attracted us to Homeless Solutions was its philosophy of “a hand up, not a handout“. The transitional housing program epitomizes that ideal. None of us would refuse to reach our hand out to help a drowning person struggling to survive. In like manner, the families in the transitional housing program are struggling to make their lives better. They just need a helping hand. Helping those who are working hard to transition from homelessness to a stable household is not charity. It is our duty to our fellow human beings. This is the work that Homeless Solutions does every day. We are proud to lend our helping hand.”
Sponsor Benefits
- Periodic updates via email regarding your sponsored family. Please note, in cases where the family’s safety could be jeopardized this may not be possible.
- Formal recognition on display at THP and acknowledgment on our website and in our Annual Report.
- Optional opportunities to volunteer in ways that will directly help your sponsored family (e.g. tutoring, mentoring, moving, guidance for new experiences like first time car buying, college preparation for youth, new careers, and many other opportunities).
- Optional opportunities to help when your sponsored family moves to permanent housing (e.g. be part of moving team, help equip the home with donated furnishings and assist with assembly, and/or be part of the “Welcome Home” celebration by collecting and assembling a basket of basic food pantry items, kitchen supplies, items for children to present to the family on moving day).
Sponsors
Kate & Colleen Bondy
Michael & Pattie Gayda
The Hampshire Companies
Gates & Mary Ellen Hawn
Sandy Jaffe
Santander Bank
Linda Stamato
Friends of THP:
The Corwin Family Foundation
Your leadership generosity will help parents break the cycle of poverty, help children embrace the joys of childhood and inspire others to support this incredible program. We are here every step of the way for our families and with your partnership, we will not let them down.
Philanthropic dollars will help defray the $44,765 it costs per family to complete our program (this number is based on an 11-month stay). Your gift will be used to:
- Subsidize rent allowing the families to never pay more than 30% of their gross income.
- Pay utilities in the apartment (e.g. heat, A/C, electricity, gas, water).
- Subsidize childcare so that the children receive quality, reliable care, and parents can maintain employment.
- Provide van transportation for the family to and from public transportation hubs, work sites, and daycare centers.
- Support intensive, personalized staffing by highly skilled, experienced professionals including a case manager, employment & housing specialist, child advocate, program manager, and onsite residential support staff.
- Maintain a safe and supportive home including a supervised setting with 10 furnished two-bedroom apartments located in a semi-wooded, suburban neighborhood.
- Support a structured Life Skills curriculum including courses in financial education, parenting, health and nutrition, healthy relationships, tenants’ rights, homeownership, legal matters, career advancement, credit counseling, and more. Childcare is also provided so parents can participate.
Support Families
Sponsor a Room
Help families feel a sense of comfort and ease as they begin their journey out of homelessness.
Sponsor a Family
Help families propel themselves out of homelessness by sponsoring an apartment.
To get started, contact Stephanie Cicale at StephanieCicale@hsinj.org or (973) 993-0900 x120