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The Kintock Group, Gateway Community Action Partnership & the Reentry Coalition of New Jersey Unveil Village of Hope Transitional Housing Program
New Tiny Home Community in Bridgeton Provides Temporary Safe and Stable Housing to Support Those Reentering Society Post-Incarceration
Bridgeton, NJ – On Thursday, November 17, 2022, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the grand opening of Village of Hope – a new transitional housing program located in Bridgeton, NJ.
Initially established as a one-year pilot program in coordination with the New Jersey State Parole Board, Village of Hope is comprised of six, 100-square-foot tiny homes and designed to support the reentry needs of eligible individuals on parole – offering a safe, stable environment and needed supports for those transitioning out of the criminal justice system to set them on a path towards long-term, sustained success.
“Homelessness is something that exists not only in the Great City of Bridgeton, but in municipalities across New Jersey and America,” said Albert B. Kelly, CCAP, President and CEO of Gateway Community Action Partnership and Mayor of Bridgeton. “We view the Village of Hope as an exciting and innovative pilot program here to help those reentering society have a safe place to call home. But it doesn’t end there. We will work with these individuals to assist them in finding work, permanent housing and other help they may need.”
Village of Hope is a collaborative effort between The Kintock Group, Gateway Community Action Partnership (Gateway CAP) and the Reentry Coalition of New Jersey, with additional support from the New Jersey State Parole Board, City of Bridgeton and local law enforcement and first responders.
Upon acceptance into the program, Village of Hope residents are permitted to reside in one of the six private, climate-controlled transitional homes for up to 180 days, free of charge under the condition that they continue to meet various pre-established program objectives/goals. During their time in the program, residents will also have access to shared bathroom facilities, an outdoor picnic area and a community room, which is equipped with WIFI and TV services and features a fully stocked kitchenette, courtesy of Gateway CAP.
“Our hope is that our state and national leaders will see the value and success of programs like our Village of Hope and make resources available in future to replicate this model here and elsewhere for all segments of the homeless population,” added Mayor Kelly. “I believe this is a model that can help make a significant difference here in Bridgeton and across New Jersey and America.”
In addition to accommodations, each Village of Hope resident will also receive assistance navigating the reentry process from trained professionals from Gateway CAP, The Kintock Group and the Reentry Coalition of New Jersey in the following areas:
- Assessment and procurement of identification (i.e. driver’s license)
- Employment placement and assistance services
- Financial and budgeting assistance
- Guidance and placement in permanent housing
- Rental assistance services
- Connection to social services and health and wellness resources
- Access to transportation services
- Procurement of supportive technology – i.e. smartphones, tablets, etc.
As a premier provider of reentry, mental health and treatment services that specializes in providing comprehensive, specialized reentry programs that enhance public safety and reduce recidivism, The Kintock Group will oversee the day-to-day operations of Village of Hope – maintaining a regular, daily presence at the community, ensuring the safety and security of residents and addressing any maintenance or housekeeping concerns.
“Individuals transitioning out of the criminal justice system often lack safe, suitable and affordable housing options all of which are crucial to successful reentry,” said Walter Simpkins, President, Chairman and CEO of The Kintock Group. “We are pleased to partner with Gateway Community Action Partnership and the Reentry Coalition of New Jersey to offer New Jersey a one-of-a-kind Transitional Housing Program at our Bridgeton location. This new venture will provide stability for program participants who are returning to the community. Most importantly, in addition to addressing their immediate housing concern, participants will have access to critical services such as employment placement, health and wellness support and assistance securing permanent housing to further promote their reentry efforts,” he added.
In addition to the supportive services provided by The Kintock Group and Gateway CAP, the Reentry Coalition of New Jersey has committed to provide funding to support Village of Hope residents throughout their duration in the program, as well as funding for rental assistance to help each resident’s transition into safe, stable permanent housing.
“At the Reentry Coalition of New Jersey, we focus on the long-term success of each individual exiting the criminal justice system and advocate for the necessary supports to ensure that transition is seamless and sustainable,” said Kevin McHugh, Executive Director of the Reentry Coalition of New Jersey. “This funding is one way we can make a real difference in the lives of those transitioning out of the criminal justice system – helping to remove barriers, ease financial strain and set these individuals on a path towards independence as they reenter society post-incarceration.”
For more information on Village of Hope, visit: https://www.kintock.org/village-of-hope
PHOTOS:
On Thursday, November 17, 2022, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the grand opening of Village of Hope – a new transitional housing program located in Bridgeton, NJ. Program partners The Kintock Group, Gateway Community Action Partnership and the Reentry Coalition of New Jersey hosted the event onsite at the tiny home community – pictured from left to right: Paul Taggines, Chief Operating Officer of The Kintock Group; Kevin McHugh, Executive Director of the Reentry Coalition of New Jersey; Mayor Albert B. Kelly of the City of Bridgeton & Founder, President/CEO of Gateway Community Action Partnership; Senator Edward Durr, District 3; and Rev. Dr. Robin Weinstein, Board Member of Gateway Community Action Partnership.
Paul Taggines, Chief Operating Officer of The Kintock Group and one of the partners for Village of Hope – a new transitional housing program located in Bridgeton, NJ – shows the interior of one of the tiny homes that are part of the community.
The Kintock Group, Gateway Community Action Partnership and the Reentry Coalition of New Jersey hosted an event onsite at Village of Hope – a new transitional housing program located in Bridgeton, NJ. From left to right: Mayor Albert B. Kelly of the City of Bridgeton & Founder, President/CEO of Gateway Community Action Partnership; Kevin McHugh, Executive Director of the Reentry Coalition of New Jersey; and Paul Taggines, Chief Operating Officer of The Kintock Group.
About Gateway Community Action Partnership (CAP):
Gateway Community Action Partnership (formed and incorporated as Tri-County Community Action Agency Inc.) is the designated Community Action Program (CAP) for Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties in Southern New Jersey and also provides services in Atlantic, Camden, Cape May and Mercer counties, as well as Philadelphia, Pa. As a CAP, Tri-County helps low- and moderate-income residents identify and overcome barriers to self-sufficiency. The agency’s more than 600 employees form a network of professional teachers, social workers, counselors, nutritionists and program planners, all dedicated to making our communities better places to live and work for all residents.
Gateway CAP is a private, non-profit, community-based organization with a federal 501c3 designation by the IRS. The mission of Gateway CAP is: “To provide services that improve the quality of life and promote self-sufficiency.” As of January 2022, Gateway CAP operates programs in core areas, including housing, child care, health services, literacy, emergency services and community development with an annual budget of approximately $69 million to serve more than 48,000 clients annually in its coverage area. These inter-connected programs work at dozens of sites throughout the region, addressing the causes and effects of poverty. For more information, visit: www.gatewaycap.org
About The Kintock Group:
Founded in 1985, the Kintock Group, Inc. and the Kintock Group of New Jersey, Inc. are not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporations that specialize in providing community-based reentry and treatment services that address the individual needs of adult offenders. Kintock operates residential and community resource centers and provides services under contracts with New Jersey’s Department of Corrections and State Parole Board, with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and with the Department of Corrections in Pennsylvania. All of Kintock’s program are designed to provide quality reentry services that assist offenders in making and sustaining transformative life changes. Kintock also operates voluntary reentry assistance programs that connect individuals in New Jersey with supportive and community-based agencies to aid in their successful reintegration. For more information, visit https://www.kintock.org
About the Reentry Coalition of New Jersey:
The Reentry Coalition of New Jersey is a multi-agency 501c3 non-profit organization that is comprised of highly qualified and accredited reentry agencies who promote public safety, reduce recidivism and ensure the long-term success of those exiting the criminal justice system. Over the past 30 years, the Coalition has been New Jersey’s leading advocate for individuals exiting the criminal justice system successfully reenter society and establish themselves as healthy, productive citizens. The member agencies who are part of the Coalition currently operate more than 30 community-based programs throughout the state of New Jersey, serving approximately 9,000 offenders annually. For more information, visit: https://reentrycoalitionofnj.org/