Cumberland County Code Blue Coalition
Thank you to our
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Thank You Letter 2019-2020Dear Friends,
On February 29, 2020 (the last night of Warming Center Activation), we brought our seventh season of Code Blue to an abrupt conclusion due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thankfully, we had a relatively mild winter for the remainder of the season. On behalf of the Board of Trustees for the M25 Initiative and the Cumberland County Code Blue Steering Committee, we want to most sincerely thank you all for your efforts and support this past season. The Cumberland County Code Blue Coalition was created to provide ‘Warming Centers” as a way for homeless individuals in the community to find shelter from frigid overnight temperatures during the cold winter months. Code Blue has been a grassroots movement of churches and community members responding to the need of our homeless neighbors. One night of Code Blue requires at least 28 volunteers to cover shifts from 6 PM to 6 AM and approximately $450 to support case management services, equipment, and facilities. Without the dedication, compassion and concern of our volunteers, this program would not have been possible. This season saw the merger of Millville and Vineland Code Blue programs, and both groups were hosted at Ben Corson Hall in Millville. We want to thank all of the churches, restaurants, and organizations that hosted and provided food and supplies. Logistical support was provided by Inspira Health Network, Gateway Community Action Partnership and PRAC of Southern New Jersey. For a full list of those who supported the Code Blue efforts, please see http://bit.ly/CBThankYou. The Code Blue program would not be possible without the leadership of our municipal coordinators: Bridgeton Ms. Nina Young, Coordinator/Mr. Nick Dobrowolski, Deputy Coordinator Millville/Vineland Ms. Cathy Gardner, Coordinator/Ms. Christine Marin, Deputy Coordinator/Ms. Cindi Cooke, Deputy Coordinator We are proud of the impact the two programs, the Cumberland County Code Blue Coalition and the Cumberland County Housing First Collaborative, have made on improving the lives of our neighbors who are homeless and poor. However, the passage of legislation this year requiring Code Blue activation for 32 degrees and below, along with changes that need to be made to address the COVID-19 pandemic, far exceeds our organizational capacity and the scope of volunteer leadership. Therefore, M25 will no longer be able to provide operational support to Code Blue programs in Cumberland County. This was a difficult decision for the board to make, but we will continue to offer transitional support and guidance to the County and municipal governments, as they work on planning for the implementation of the Code Blue program in the future. The M25 Initiative will continue its work in addressing chronic homelessness and hunger in our community (learn more about our work at www.m25initiative.org). We are excited to be approaching the milestone goal of 100 individuals and families who have transitioned from being chronically homeless to HomeBLESSED by the end of 2020, since June 2017 through the work of the Cumberland County Housing First Collaborative (www.endhomelessness2020.com). Additionally, we are proud to support the work of the food pantries, soup kitchens, and other programs that address food insecurity in our county. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in our region, we have raised and distributed over $50,000 (by the end of June, 2020) to support their efforts. So again, to all our dedicated volunteers and partners, thank you sincerely for all of the work you have done on behalf of the homeless and needy in our communities. While we will miss the camaraderie that we have experienced these past seven seasons of Code Blue, we hope you will continue your commitment and advocacy in the future through the various opportunities to serve that will be presented in the near future. In Service, Denise Arrigo Secretary, M25 Initiative Chairperson, Cumberland County Code Blue Coalition Robin Weinstein, Ed.D. President & Founder, The M25 Initiative |
Municipal "Thank You" Corner
The Municipal Coordinators would like to thank the following organizations, churches, businesses, and restaurants for their support. We apologize if, for some reason, we do not have your organization listed. You are all appreciated.
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Millville/Vineland:
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Bridgeton:
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OUR MISSION"The M25 Initiative is a 501c3 non-profit in Cumberland County, NJ created for the sole purpose of engaging, equipping, empowering, and mobilizing individuals and organizations to employ innovative and cooperative solutions to alleviate suffering, feed the hungry, end poverty, reduce crime, revitalize a spirit of community and transform lives!"
Phone: 1-844-M25-HOPE 
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