Morris County Hosts Third Annual Community Resource Exchange
Published on September 16, 2024
Local Officials and Nonprofits Collaborate to Address Key Community Needs
The Morris County Department of Human Services, in partnership with the Morris County Continuum of Care, Family Promise of Morris County and the Interfaith Food Pantry Network, hosted the third annual Community Resource Exchange (CREX) last week at the Morris County Nonprofit Mall in Morris Plains.
This year’s event drew representatives from many of Morris County’s towns as well as officials from the offices of U.S. Reps. Tom Kean, Jr. and Mikie Sherrill and state Sen. Anthony Bucco. Attendees included mayors, administrators, public health officials, school leaders, members of the faith-based community, Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi and Morris County Commissioner Director Christine Myers.
“Today’s goal is to strengthen connections between our public officials and the many nonprofits that serve our most vulnerable residents,” said Commissioner Myers. “Events like this allow us to better understand the challenges faced by our community and work together to meet those needs.”
View Photos from the Morris County Community Resource Exchange
CREX has become a key platform for local officials and nonprofit agencies to exchange information and resources, addressing vital areas such as housing, healthcare, food security, legal aid and more. More than two dozen service providers participated, including the Morris County Office of Temporary Assistance, Navigating Hope, and the Hope One mobile unit, offering on-site support and resources.
The event kicked off in a conference room at the nearby Morris County Human Services office, where Assemblywoman Dunn delivered opening remarks by sharing her personal experience of growing up as one of three children in a struggling family. She recalled some hard times, relying on food stamps at one point after her parents were divorced and her father, sometimes out of work, did his best to support the family.
“Morris County may be one of the wealthiest counties in the country, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have problems,” said Assemblywoman Dunn. “In many ways, our poverty and struggle are less visible than in other parts of the state, and because we have such strong models for social services, funding isn’t always prioritized. My job is to relentlessly fight for that funding, and today is about raising visibility.”
The event also featured two presentations designed to provide attendees with tools for identifying local needs and connecting residents to critical services. Jodi Miciak of United Way of Northern New Jersey presented on United for A.L.I.C.E. (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), which focuses on individuals who earn too much to qualify for public assistance but still struggle to make ends meet.
Kevin Donahue, Chief Operating Officer of NJ211, demonstrated the newly enhanced NJ211 website platform, which serves as a central access point for human services in New Jersey through phone, text and online portals.
The keynote speaker, Elise Bryant, a board member of the Morris County Continuum of Care, shared her journey from homelessness to advocacy.
“We must choose to support those who are less fortunate, and today is about making those connections and ensuring no one in our community is left behind,” said Bryant, who is pursuing a master’s degree in psychology while advocating for seniors, veterans and individuals with disabilities.
“Whether you’re serving at the state, federal or local level, take this opportunity to connect with those around you and strengthen your community,” said Kasey Errico, Director of Morris County Human Services, emphasizing the importance of collaboration.
The main networking event, held in the parking lot outside the Morris County Nonprofit Mall off Central Avenue, was organized by an event steering committee. The members included Kasey Errico; Joann Bjornson, Chief Executive Officer of Family Promise of Morris County; Allison Delcalzo-Berens, Chair of the Morris County Continuum of Care Executive Committee, and Carolyn Lake, Executive Director of the Interfaith Food Pantry Network.
For more information on available services, visit the Morris County Human Services webpage.
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Photo: (l-r) Elise Bryant, Kevin Donahue, COO of NJ 211, Allison Delcalzo-Berens, Chair of the Morris County Continuum of Care Executive Committee, Kasey Errico, Director of Morris County Department of Human Services, Joann Bjornson, CEO of Family Promise of Morris County, Carolyn Lake, Executive Director of the Interfaith Food Pantry Network and Jodi Miciak, Manager of Community Investment at United Way of Northern New Jersey.