‘Cape Hope’ Targets Homeless for Help During ‘Code Blue’

ERMA – On a warm “Indian summer” evening, a dozen representatives from churches, veterans groups, county government and private citizens gathered at Stella Maris Council, Knights of Columbus on Breakwater Road to talk about freezing temperatures and high winds.
They met Nov. 5 to strategize how to care for Cape May County’s homeless population when winter winds and freezing temperatures return. This new community group calls itself Cape Hope. It is a faith-based group of volunteers who seek to help homeless residents who have fallen between the cracks of traditional government social services safety nets.
Cape Hope spokesperson Denise Venturini chaired the meeting that included Freeholder Kristine Gabor, county Social Services Director Sara Maloney, John “Johnnie” Walker representing homeless veterans, representatives of the American Legion, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church of Stone Harbor, the Sisters of St. Joseph Association, West Cape May Bible Church, and others.
Cape Hope seeks to identify and establish “warming centers” that would accept homeless residents when a countywide “Code Blue” is declared.
According to the New Jersey 211 Partnership website, “When temperatures drop below freezing, and conditions pose a threat to individuals who are homeless or medically fragile, a network of agencies throughout New Jersey helps people obtain shelter, food and clothing.”
Cape Hope plans to respond when Code Blue is issued, as well as when weather conditions present life threatening conditions, but fall short of the definition of a Code Blue, such as when temperatures reach 33 degrees, but do not quite reach the freezing point.
According to Venturini, warming centers will need cots, blankets, cold weather clothing and food to provide temporary shelter from the elements to the homeless who, for various reasons, do not have access to the county Social Services voucher system.
Gabor suggested that cots that were available for Hurricane Sandy victims might also be used at the warming centers during Code Blue, as long as proper accountability for the county property is satisfied.  The group was appreciative of this offer, and discussed some additional immediate and long term obstacles they seek to overcome.
Venturini identified the lack of transportation for the homeless to warming centers as a critical need that must be filled before the cold weather arrives. She reminded everyone that last year “some had to use their own private vehicles” to transport people; “this is a liability issue,” she stated.
Discussion focused on the possible use of county Fare Free busses, but Gabor explained that those busses do not run during off hours when Code Blues are declared. She added that there is no money in the budget for the county to provide extra transportation funding including busses and drivers. 
When one attendee voiced the opinion that the county should be picking up this cost, Gabor stated “We do not have the ability to do this at the county level; we are stretched beyond our means.”
The group continued to strategize a solution to this problem, hoping that some organizations or churches may be able to make a van and volunteer driver available for use when a Code Blue is issued.
The idea of creating collection boxes so that clothing and food might be donated for use in the warming centers was brain stormed.
Cape Hope is seeking members to host collection boxes that would be clearly marked, and also asked if the county could help provide locations for collection of these supplies from the public.
Gabor agreed that the county could certainly allow boxes to be placed at libraries and other government venues. She mentioned that boxes were hosted by the county after Hurricane Sandy, and that this would be something the county could support; she said she would broach the topic at the Nov. 10 freeholder meeting.
Another issue of importance focused on fundraising and how to seek cash donations and grant money needed in the long term.
It became evident that the group needs to file for 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service to be able to accept money; and that organizational by-laws must be developed before they can file for tax exempt status as a “nonprofit.” 
This process could take quite a while, it was agreed. Despite this short term delay, plans for fundraising were discussed, such as the Victoria Manor Art Show where Victoria Manor has agreed to raise money to benefit Cape Hope in the future.
Residents have already begun making Christmas cards to distribute to the homeless this year.  The plan is to use the art show to raise money for Cape Hope, as soon as the incorporation issue is resolved.
Rowan University has also voiced its support through Jason Osman of the Rowan University Wellness Center. Although unable to attend the meeting, Osman communicated that some Cape May County students at Rowan are also in need of assistance and that the university will help this effort as best they can.
Members also wondered about the size and location of the county’s homeless populations.
Maloney stated that estimates of vouchers issued last year reached 2,000, but that figure was inaccurate since many homeless used multiple vouchers throughout the winter. 
One “point-in-time” survey indicated that there are about 157 homeless persons in the county, according to another member.
Another similar survey indicated 127 homeless children in the county at last count. Venturini stated “Not one person should freeze to death” in Cape May County.
Future tasks for the group will include new surveys to determine both the scope of the problem, and the geographic areas within the county that are most in need of a warming center.
The group decided that for now, in lieu of attaining “non-profit” status right away, Cape Hope’s immediate needs are winter clothing, cots and blankets, food and the critical need for after-hours transportation.
Although at times Cape Hope members and county government have not always seen eye to eye, the meeting proved that every stakeholder, including government, is making a good faith effort to support this group’s ambitious mission. 
The members thanked Gabor for her insights and genuine interest in supporting Cape Hope, and all members expressed satisfaction that things are moving forward to ensure that the homeless in Cape May County are taken care of this winter.
Gabor also added that the county Code Blue policy is almost finished, and should be released by the next board meeting.
No website exists for Cape Hope.
According to Gabor, additional information, locations of collection boxes, etc. will be released to the public in the near future.
No cash donations to Cape Hope are sought at this time; those individuals and groups who are interested in helping should see additional contact information for Cape Hope below.
To contact Jim McCarty, email jmccarty@cmcherald.com. 
Cape Hope’s cell phone number is  609-997-1794. The organization is in need of board members, blankets and clothing donations. Also T-mobile gift cards for its cell phone usage would be appreciated.