At the Red Bank Resource Network, now located at 103 Drs. James Parker Blvd. in Red Bank, the Mental Health Association of Monmouth County (MHA) will be able to continue to provide local residents and Hurricane Sandy-impacted families and individuals with free mental health and expert information and referral services through July 2016.The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation recently awarded a grant in the amount $199,821 to sustain and expand mental health and social services in Monmouth County in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
Although it has been almost three years since Hurricane Sandy, many Monmouth County residents are still affected by and struggling with recovery from the disaster.The Sandy Wellness mental health counselors will continue to provide much-needed free mental health services at the Red Bank location, as well as in Keansburg, Shrewsbury and Manasquan.“We are so grateful to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Hudson City Savings Bank, Investors Bank, and United Healthcare Community Plan for making the RBRN community center and Sandy Wellness Counseling sustainable for another year. We are honored to be one of the few agencies left in Monmouth County who are able to offer these much needed free counseling services for those still affected by Hurricane Sandy. I am proud of our 65-year history of identifying gaps in the mental health system of care and our ongoing collaborations with community, county, and state organizations, as well as individual donors, corporations, and foundations to find solutions and funding to close those gaps. The generous RBRN supporters help us fulfill our overall mission,” said MHA executive director Wendy DePedro.
RBRN, a community center based on the Department of Children and Family (DCF) family success center model, is unique in that both licensed mental health counselors and expert Information and Referral Specialists are located in one location. RBRN is a community organization seeking to strengthen families and communities by offering bilingual assistance with applications, such as the Affordable Care Act, NJ Family Care/Medicaid, food stamps, housing, utility, and employment. RBRN staff provides links with social services and job search assistance, as well as a business center with computers, fax, and internet for use at no cost.
RBRN continues to expand services for the youth of Red Bank. Homework club is offered, allowing students to have a quiet work space, assistance with their homework, and use of computers. Through a collaboration with the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, Ocean First Bank, and Red Bank Regional High School, teenagers are being offered a four-week banking and saving workshop.“Our new location, 103 Drs. James Parker Blvd., is open and operating.As we are now conveniently located next to other community partner organizations, such as Lunch Break and Monmouth Day Care Center, we hope that more consumers will visit our walk-in center than ever before.” said Deanna Sovern, director of RBRN’s Community Based Services.
RBRN will be hosting an open house for MHA supporters and the general public on Sept. 10 from 4-7:30 p.m.
RBRN and the Sandy Wellness Counseling are programs of the Mental Health Association of Monmouth County. For more information about RBRN, call 732-383-5135 or visit www.rbrnhelps.com.To make an appointment with a Sandy Wellness CounHealth& selor, call 732-542-6422.