The homeless voice is a silent one!
4,000 Homeless in Bergen and Passaic!
Roselyn Altman and Mary Sunden attended the second annual congressional reception. (Photo courtesy of The Jewish Standard.)
Among the more than 200 formerly homeless people, advocates for the homeless, and housing providers that attended the Washington event was Roselyn Altman, social action chair of Temple Beth Israel in Maywood.
“The homeless voice is a silent one,” said Altman, noting that she was inspired by the July 30 event to expand the synagogue’s outreach program. “They don’t vote unless they can establish residency. They need advocates and other voices to express their concerns.” She said that during the trip, she learned of a group shelter in Garfield for homeless veterans and would like to see her synagogue become involved with that facility.
The only synagogue representative to attend, Altman pointed out that her shul regularly participates in evening programs at the Orchard Street Shelter in Hackensack, catering meals for the homeless. In addition, members work occasionally at St. Cecilia’s family shelter in Englewood.
The story also highlighted the extent of homelessness in Bergen and Passaic counties as counted in the 2008 Point in Time Count. The 2009 count of the homeless has been scheduled for Wednesday January 28, 2009.
To read the full story click here.
For more information on the Congressional Reception, including photos and audio of the sixteen speeches, click here. To read posts about the speeches click here.
