Community Intervention Program Proving Success
An innovative program in Newark’s Penn Station is helping to end homelessness for the population that seeks daytime shelter in the building. On August 19, 2012, The Star-Ledger profiled the Community Intervention Program, Michelle Salko, its social worker, and the population she is serving in an article, “Lifelines for the Homeless at Newark Penn Station.”
New Jersey Transit Executive Director Jim Weinstein, Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Mental Health Association of Essex County to help Penn Station’s homeless hired Salko. Says Salko about her outreach work:
“The biggest part about it is just respecting the people. And then if they know you’re respecting them, it doesn’t matter what age, what color you are, where you come from. They know that I respect them no matter what.”
Salko helps them find permanent housing and medical care and apply for the critical documents they need to get assistance or be admitted to shelter. And in its first 6 months, the program had had great success including:
- Placing 12 homeless individuals in permanent housing and 6 in independent living;
- Helping 35 individuals secure identification and documentation, including 2 driver’s licenses; and
- Connecting 115 individuals with services and treatment programs.
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