Eric Sucar

Burlington County Women’s Advisory Council holds winter coat drive

Burlington County Freeholder Director Felicia Hopson announced this year that the Burlington County Freeholders and the Women’s Advisory Council are sponsoring a winter coat drive for the County’s Housing Hub and Hope One mobile unit.

County officials said the coat drive will run until Feb. 14 and are only collecting new winter coats. The coats will be distributed at the county’s Housing Hub or Hope One mobile unit to people in need, according to officials.

“I am asking County residents to join our efforts to help assist our neighbors,” Hopson said in a statement. “We want to do our part to provide some assistance to those who are struggling during these cold winter months.”

Boxes will be stationed at various locations around Burlington County, including the Bordentown Library on 18 East Union Street. Residents can drop off coats at the Bordentown Library between Monday and Thursday from 10 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

In December, Burlington County opened an innovative, and first-of-its-kind Housing Hub in the Human Services Facility that’s aimed to serve as a single point of entry for residents who are homeless or experiencing a housing crisis. Officials said this new hub is planned to serve as a fusion center to respond to residents’ needs by providing immediate access to services, case management, guidance and a network of community providers.

Burlington County’s Hope One mobile unit also offers support for persons and families struggling with addiction and related issues with the goal of preventing drug overdoses and deaths and providing linkages for treatment and recovery support services. The unit, which schedules stops all around the county, offers Narcan trainings and free kits, immunizations, and the opportunity to meet with a counselor and coach.

“The Housing Hub and Hope One mobile unit are both doing an incredible job of assisting residents in need,” Hopson said. “We are thankful to have these resources in Burlington County and want to equip them with the tools they need to keep serving our residents.”

To view a schedule of upcoming Hope One stops, visit: https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/DocumentCenter/View/10946/Hope-One-Fyler-and-2020-Locations

The Burlington County Women’s Advisory Council works to identify and address issues that affect women in Burlington County, raise public awareness of the special needs and roles of women, provide mentoring opportunities for women, and aims to enhance the quality of life for all women. For more information, follow the council on Facebook at @BurlingtonCountyWomen or visit: http://co.burlington.nj.us/263/Womens-Advisory-Council