Newark officials announced Wednesday that the city worked to offer comprehensive services to the city’s homeless population during last weekend’s blizzard.
Nearly 370 homeless men and women were offered amenities and shelter thanks to a public-private collaboration. Temporary facilities were set up at municipal recreation centers, Newark Public high schools, and the YMCA, while City vehicles transported homeless people out of the snow from areas they congregate, such as Newark Liberty International Airport, Penn Station, underneath bridges, and on top of heating grates. Some residents helped city drivers by showing them where to find other homeless people.
“Amidst the chaos of a record-breaking accumulation of snow, the City of Newark was able to unite as a caring community to ensure that our most vulnerable residents and neighbors received medical attention, meals, and shelter, during this blizzard. I congratulate every member of the public and private team that worked so hard during these dangerous conditions to transform Newark into a loving and caring City that we can all believe in,” said Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.
Homeless and transient people with families were taken to the YMCA, while those without were taken to the John F. Kennedy Recreation Center in the Central Ward. Barringer High School in the North Ward was configured to care for seniors in need of refuge, but did not receive any takers, while Malcolm X Shabazz High School in the South Ward was set up to accommodate adults. It did not receive residents, either.
The JFK shelter also took in many recently discharged patients, suffering from mental and physical ailments. It averaged 102 people per night during the height of the blizzard.
“The blizzard brought out the best in our City,” said Director of Health and Community Wellness, Dr. Hanaa Hamdi. “Several restaurants offered food or beverages to assist us and we received support from churches, organizations, and volunteers – some of whom took the bus to the facility – and just good Newark citizens. It is a matter of personal and professional pride to me that we were able to care for so many people and prevent needless tragedies at this difficult time.”