BY CHRISTINE VARNO
Staff Writer
LONG BRANCH — Among the representatives of agencies who took turns introducing themselves at the beginning of the Long Branch Concordance (LBC) meeting last week, one name stood out.
“Homeless,” said one man as he stood up.
“You got a lot of people that need help,” he told the members of the LBC. “We do not have homes and we need help getting jobs.
“You people are the people that can help us. Don’t just help us by giving us a place to stay for a night or two. Help us get jobs and help us stop drinking.”
To Terri Blair, director of the LBC, that is exactly why the Concordance was formed a year ago “to help each other.”
The LBC celebrated its first birthday at its March 18 meeting, where representatives from agencies such as Family and Intervention Services (FIS) — the LBC sponsoring agency; Monmouth Family Health Center; Monmouth Cares; DFYS; Planned Parenthood of Monmouth County; along with members of several churches and city residents, gathered to brainstorm on how they can better help meet the needs of the less fortunate in the community.
The 40 to 50 agencies meet monthly, share resources and discuss how the LBC can best support the families and children of Long Branch.
Individuals can contact the LBC at 279 Broadway for support, resources and referral services, such as financial, safety, employment, legal, spiritual, transportation, educational, food, shelter and more.
Blair said the agencies involved with the LBC represent almost every major need, including financial, safety, social, food, educational and physical health.
The last meeting not only marked the LBC’s first birthday, but the group also received a $25,000 planning grant from the state Division of Prevention and Community Partnership.
“The LBC is already off the ground,” said Jeanne Warnock, president and CEO of FIS. “This will allow the word to get out to the community.”
The grant will fund office supplies, brochures, pamphlets, a small amount for salaries and rental space, a panel presentation and a fair.
The panel presentation will focus on the needs of family and children, problem and abuse prevention, and community development, Blair said.
It is scheduled to be held at Monmouth University in West Long Branch April 13 at 6 p.m.
The “family-friendly fair” is scheduled for June 5 from 2-6 p.m. and the location of the event will be announced at a later date.
The fair will include a health fair, a food court to highlight the cultural foods of the community, entertainment and vendors. The theme will be “Cherish the Children, Celebrate Long Branch” and will help educate the attendees about child abuse prevention.
The next LBC meeting is scheduled for April 15 at 1:30 p.m. at the Brookdale Community College Learning Center on Broadway in Long Branch.