{"id":1220,"date":"2021-10-22T14:41:37","date_gmt":"2021-10-22T14:41:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ucnj.org\/dhs\/?page_id=1220"},"modified":"2026-03-25T18:38:33","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T18:38:33","slug":"fresh-start","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ucnj.org\/dhs\/fresh-start\/","title":{"rendered":"Union County Fresh Start Program"},"content":{"rendered":"<!-- Added by Post\/Page Specific Custom Code plugin, thank you for using! -->\n<style>.entry-title {\r\n   display: none;\r\n}\r\n.entry-header.has-text-align-center.header-footer-group {\r\n    display: none;\r\n}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full tw-mb-0\">\n<figure ><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ucnj.org\/dhs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2021\/10\/Artboard-1-e1634913743131.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 id=\"point-of-contact\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-subtle-background-background-color has-background\"><strong>Upcoming Dates<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Elizabeth Public Library<\/strong><br>11 S. Broad St, Elizabeth<br>Thursday, April 9th<br>9am to 12pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Biblioteca P\u00fablica de Elizabeth<\/strong><br>11 S. Broad St, Elizabeth<br>Jueves, 9 de Abril<br>9am to 12pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"point-of-contact\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-subtle-background-background-color has-background\"><strong>Point of Contact<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For questions or more information regarding the FRESH START program please call the Action Line at 908-677-5405 or email <a href=\"mailto:dhsaction@ucnj.org\">dhsaction@ucnj.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"vision\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-subtle-background-background-color has-background\"><strong>Vision<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To provide a mobile trailer with access to clean showers, laundry services and bathroom facilities to individuals in need throughout Union County.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"summary\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-subtle-background-background-color has-background\"><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This program will be a public and private partnership including local nonprofit organizations that provide direct services.&nbsp; It will serve as the central entry point to a continuum of transformational services, to help connect them to the critical main stream resources that will put them on the path to self-sufficiency.&nbsp; Through the partnerships and outreach efforts, individuals will have the ability to: access emergency shelter, clothing, in addition to case management services like housing assistance and linkages, mental health services, and job assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Proper hygiene and access to amenities that facilitate good hygiene are a basic necessity.&nbsp; Many individuals can go days, weeks, and even months without a shower or clean clothing, because they do not have access to basic hygiene supplies like soap nor running hot water.&nbsp; Providing access to a shower to someone who doesn\u2019t have access to one often can help with confidence builder for a job interview.&nbsp; For children, a shower is often the difference between going to school or not.&nbsp; Above all, this program can help people regain their self-confidence and dignity.&nbsp; It will transform the lives of individuals through dignity and compassion by providing access to a clean shower, laundry services, and bathroom facilities which will enhance their opportunity to secure employment\/housing\/medical care, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"program-overview\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-subtle-background-background-color has-background\"><strong>Program Overview<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The mobile trailer will arrive at the scheduled location and begin shower\/laundry services promptly at 10am.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Bathroom and Shower facilities<\/strong>&nbsp;will be available on a first come first serve basis.&nbsp; Each individual will have a fifteen (15) minute slot.&nbsp; We will allow five (5) minutes in between for cleaning the unit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Laundry services&nbsp;<\/strong>will be available on a first come first serve basis.&nbsp; Each individual will be able to wash one (1) load of laundry (wash\/dry).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Nonprofit organizations and the Union County DHS\/Division of Outreach &amp; Advocacy\/Division of Social Services staff<\/strong>&nbsp;will be onsite to conduct screening for services that individuals might be eligible for.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"service-areas\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-subtle-background-background-color has-background\"><strong>Service Areas<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Elizabeth Public Library<\/strong> (11 S. Broad St, Elizabeth NJ)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Plainfield Public Library<\/strong> (800 Park Avenue, Plainfield NJ)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"donation-wish-list\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-subtle-background-background-color has-background\"><strong>Donation Wish List<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Towels: bath &amp; wash<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Toiletry items:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Toothbrush<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Toothpaste<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mouthwash (non-alcoholic)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Soap<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shampoo\/conditioner<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Deodorant<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lotion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hair brush<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shaving cream\/disposable razors<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dental Floss<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Q-Tips\/Cotton Swabs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nail Clippers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gender neutral sweat suits \u2013 medium to XXXL sizes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gender neutral socks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Under garments for Male\/Women (underwear, undershirt) \u2013 medium to XXXL sizes?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Feminine hygiene care packet (pad\/tampon)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Baby\/wet wipes \u2013 small packet for keeping fresh in between shower access<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>First-Aid kits \u2013 band aids, Neosporin<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Anti-diarrhea tablets<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/ucnj.org\/dhs\/fresh-start\/donation-form\/\">Donation Form<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"community-partners\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-subtle-background-background-color has-background\">Community Partners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Bridgeway Rehabilitation Services<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Family Promise (Headquarters &amp; Union County office)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Community Access Unlimited<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Iris House<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Plainfield Action Services<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prevention Links<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>PROCEED, Inc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Gateway Family YMCA<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Salvation Army (Elizabeth, Union &amp; Plainfield)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Urban League of Union County<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>YWCA Union County<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"quotes-about-the-experience-using-fresh-start\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-subtle-background-background-color has-background\">Quotes about the Experience using Fresh Start<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe are so thankful for Uni\u00f3n County! It was Great Service from start to finish. We received winter clothes, employment information, showers, and housing information.\u201d<\/p>\n<cite>Karen &amp; Bruno from Elizabeth<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe are delighted to host this amazing initiative, we look forward to working with the county to helping as many of our sisters and brothers as we can.\u201d<\/p>\n<cite>Bernadette Murphy, Executive Director, St. Joseph\u2019s Social Service Center<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis program is fantastic not just for myself but for the community. There are so many people here that are in need of a break away to just take a shower and wash their clothes. I\u2019m very thankful for this and hope that it continues.\u201d<\/p>\n<cite>Mario from Elizabeth<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Upcoming Dates Elizabeth Public Library11 S. Broad St, ElizabethThursday, April 9th9am to 12pm Biblioteca P\u00fablica de Elizabeth11 S. Broad St, ElizabethJueves, 9 de Abril9am to 12pm Point of Contact For questions or more information regarding the FRESH START program please call the Action Line at 908-677-5405 or email dhsaction@ucnj.org. Vision To provide a mobile trailer&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"templates\/template-full-width.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_crdt_document":"","content-type":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1220","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"1970-01-01 00:00:00","action":"","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","browser_timezone_offset":0},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ucnj.org\/dhs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1220","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ucnj.org\/dhs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ucnj.org\/dhs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ucnj.org\/dhs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ucnj.org\/dhs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1220"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ucnj.org\/dhs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1220\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ucnj.org\/dhs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1220"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}