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Sen. Vin Gopal [D-11] was among a team of people who set out Friday night to sleep outdoors in support of Covenant House New Jersey’s mission to support homeless youth.

Held in the Trinity Episcopal Church Parking lot on Asbury Avenue, Gopal checked in via social media at close to 12:30 a.m. Saturday, saying – Sleeping out in Asbury Park to support Covenant House New Jersey so we can bring awareness and raise funds for all the homeless youth in the Asbury Park area.

But the following day, Gopal said, “Once the rain started pouring at around 4am last night, we went to find shelter, my friend Janice Fuller refused to give in.”

Gopal said the dozens of participants raised over $42,000. And while his goal was $1,000, community support brought his contribution to $3,165.

“Monmouth County is considered a wealthy area and, often, people forget that our residents also face hardships,” Gopal said. “Youth homelessness affects our citizens, our neighbors, right here in District 11…Obviously, sleeping out in a sleeping bag for one night doesn’t even come close to the experience homeless teens face on a daily basis. However, an experience like this really opens your eyes to the reality of homelessness here in Asbury Park and Monmouth County. Despite the rain we encountered late Friday night, this was an incredibly rewarding and illuminating experience.”

Covenant House has had a long standing relationship assisting the homeless youth in Asbury Park. Through its partnership with Interfaith Neighbors, Covenant House opened the first of two homes that are aimed at getting young people on a path to being self sufficient, productive members of society.  

“The young people we have met and helped on the streets in Asbury Park over the past six years are incredibly strong and resilient and have inspired us to do more,” said Executive Director Jim White.  “And so when our friends at Interfaith Neighbors approached us with this partnership and the opportunity to provide permanent, stable housing, we welcomed the opportunity to serve more young people and provide them with the services they need and deserve.

“This new building that opened February of 2018 is a place of help and hope to five young men, ages 18 to 21, who live here full time,” White said. “It is their home, a place for them to live while they go to work, to school, and strive towards their dreams.”  

In the 6 years Covenant House has been working in Asbury Park they have brought over 150 Monmouth youth to their shelters.

“These are youth ages 18 to 21 that our Outreach team found living throughout Monmouth County who had nowhere else to go,” Senior Development Manager Sue Monteiro said. Some these youth are now living in their own apartments throughout the state, others are with family and some still at Covenant House.”

Their services include not only shelter but also providing medical and legal assistance, aiding with GED certifications and finding employment.

The local Rights of Passage transitional home, located on Prospect Avenue, houses five men ages 18 to 21. The average length of stay is estimated to be 18 months.

The home boasts five secured bedrooms outfitted with en suites and there two sets of washer/dryer units on each side of the second floor landing. The ground floor large kitchen is outfitted with secured lockers to store an individual’s non perishable food, a large island and plenty of cabinets. There is a communal living room and dining space adjacent to the 24-hour manned office. The on site garage is outfitted with secured individual storage spaces, and will include a bicycle rack and an oversized freezer for added food storage.

A similar home for women will be constructed on a neighboring lot, with constructed expected to begin over the next year.

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