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Published on September 15, 2023
Local Officials Mingle With Key Service Providers
Morris County, state and local elected officials met today with leaders of the Interfaith Food Pantry Network, Family Promise of Morris County, the Morris County Continuum of Care (CoC), the Morris County Department of Human Services and many other service providers at the county’s second annual Community Resource Exchange event.
More than 100 representatives of local government and the nonprofit agencies attended the gathering on the grounds of the Morris County Nonprofit Mall off Central Avenue in Parsippany Township. The event provided an opportunity for Morris County government and local nonprofit agencies to connect with mayors, health officers and leaders from all 39 of Morris County’s municipalities on essential community services provided for the most vulnerable residents.
The services range from helping people in need of housing and healthcare, to family assistance, maintaining food security and much more.
View more photos from the Community Resource Exchange
“Today is an opportunity to strengthen the partnership between the public and private to best meet the needs of Morris County residents. It’s a chance for public officials to meet and get to know the staff and volunteers of more than two dozen nonprofits & agencies that serve the neediest people in our community,” said Commissioner Deputy Director Christine Myers at the opening of the event.
“Just two days after last year’s event, a local public health official, who attended, coordinated housing for a senior in a domestic violence situation thanks to the help of DAWN Center for Independent Living. By networking at this event, JBWS and the Interfaith Food Pantry collaborated to establish an emergency food program at the Family Justice Center,” Myers added.
Other speakers at the event included Kelly Stephens, Head of Morris County’s Housing Authority and Vice Chair of Morris County Continuum of Care (CoC) Executive Committee, Raquel Kooper, CoC Advisory Board Member and Kasey Errico, Director of the Morris County Department of Human Services. Morris County Commissioner Director Krickus was also present, communicating with many of the attendees.
The event was organized by Carolyn Lake of the Interfaith Food Pantry Network, Rebecca Butz of Family Promise, Allison Delcalzo-Berens of the Morris County Continuum of Care and Kasey Errico and members of her staff.
The Morris County Office of Temporary Assistance, Morris County’s Navigating Hope Mobile Unit and the Morris County Sheriff’s Department’s Hope One Mobile Unit joined the networking event.
During her opening remarks, Deputy Director Myers also asked everyone to take a moment to remember Russ Hall, who was former Board President for Interfaith Food Pantry, a vocal advocate for people in need and an influential figure in the community.
“Russ dedicated his efforts to serving the less fortunate and advocated for those who could not advocate for themselves: those struggling to get food or affordable housing. Russ never gave up on a goal, his kind and gentle demeanor was coupled with his authentic care for all those he helped,” said Deputy Director Myers.
Hall, a Navy veteran who held a career in the banking industry in New York City, also was a former chair of the Morris Housing Alliance and spent many years working to fund and expand Interfaith Food Pantry. He was a life member of the Randolph Rescue Squad.
Hall passed away on August 21, 2023 at the age of 85.
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Photos
Photo 1: (l-r) Jemell’z Washington-Rock, Program Manager for the NJ Office of the Food Security Advocate; Carolyn Lake, Executive Director of Interfaith Food Pantry Network; Allison Delcalzo-Berens, Chair of Morris County CoC & Program Manager, Atlantic Health’s Sexual Health Center; Raquel Kooper, CoC Advisory Board Member; Chris Williams, Grants Manager/Senior Constituent Services Representative for U.S. Rep. Sherrill; Bethany Miller, Casework Assistant to U.S. Rep. Sherrill; Kelly Stephens, Head of Morris Housing Authority and Vice Chair, CoC Executive Committee; Joann Bjornsen, Chief Executive Officer, Family Promise of Morris County; Kellie Doucette, District Director for U.S. Rep. Sherrill; Morris County Commissioner Director John Krickus; Morris County Commissioner Deputy Director Christine Myers; Kasey Errico, Morris County Director of Human Services; Rebecca Butz, Chief Operating Officer of Family Promise; and Nicholas Henry, Staff Assistant to U.S. Rep Kean.
Photo 2: Commissioner Deputy Director Myers speaking and Commissioner Director Krickus.
Photo 3: Community Resource Exchange attendees stand by to listen to the event speakers.
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