On a regular basis the Rev. Steve Brigham of the Lakewood Outreach Ministry wakes at the crack of dawn to visit 11 campsites in Ocean County.
These are not the type of campsites where families go to spend a weekend enjoying nature.
Brigham walks along railroad tracks and trudges through the muddy forest floor bearing gifts for the homeless people who live in these campsites and who have become his friends.
One of his goals is to make sure that the people who live in tent encampments throughout the county have enough propane gas to run the heaters that keep them warm through the cold winter nights.
As he reaches a group of tents in what is identifiable as a Mexican encampment, Brigham offers blankets to the people living at the site and tells his amigos where tortillas are being cooked and that he will bring them a big tent the next time he comes.
A short time later Brigham is driving his bus – a motel on wheels – to a site called Shanty Town. At this campsite some of the dwellings are made with wood that came from a lumber yard. Other people live in tents that have been provided by Brigham and anonymous donors.
After visiting both sites, Brigham and his volunteers, Chrissy, Dave and Steve, bring empty propane tanks to a gas station where they can be refilled for $13 each. Brigham said monetary donations help him to carry out this task.
Brigham’s journey then brings him to the Pinelands Church off Route 37 in Toms River to pick up bags of clothing. Pinelands Church has a congregation of about 200 people. It is through the church’s Missions Committee that this initiative is carried out. The church has donated about 1,100 bags of clothing that are distributed among people who need it.
With a couple of more sites left to visit, Brigham entered another camp off Route 37 in Toms River that is tucked neatly away from society by nature’s thick green blankets. A group of three tents stood planted in the ground. The difference between this camp site and the others was that swaying in the bitter cold wind was an American flag wrapped around the limb of a tree.
The last site of the day was also in Toms River. At that spot Brigham pitched tents for Gloria, 65, and Richard A. Mazzella Jr., 33. Both individuals said they ended up here as a result of financial hardships.
Gloria stood outside her tent in the bitter cold wearing sweats and a tank top. She said she receives some money from Social Security, but said it is not enough for her to survive on.
Mazzella added, “There are many circumstances that could make someone homeless. It is not just because of drugs and alcohol. This could happen to anybody.”
Another resident of the camp, Robert Wayne Pisano, said he has been homeless since he was 16. He is now in his 40s. Pisano said if it were not for Brigham’s kindness, he does not know where he would be. He said Brigham offers people like him a measure of hope.
“I have never seen a man take time out of his life like this. This guy cares who you are and where you are. He treats us like we are his own kids. Every piece of clothing I have on right now is because of Steve,” Pisano said.
As tears welled up in his eyes, Pisano said, “We have nothing. Yes, we are homeless, but we want to be treated like everyone else. Please recognize us.”
LakewoodMayor Raymond Coles said, “Aconsortium of people were put together to try and figure out ways to mitigate this issue. We developed short-term and longterm goals in an attempt to find some solutions.”
Some of the short-term goals Coles mentioned include helping homeless individuals acquire identification.
Another issue that was addressed is hygiene. Coles said the committee was able to negotiate an agreement with the administrators of the Lakewood Community Center that allows homeless individuals to use the center’s shower facilities.
In addition, Coles said the committee is working with Supreme Asset Management Recovery, a local business, to provide Brigham with a storage facility where he could secure the donations he receives as he goes about carrying out his initiative to serve the homeless population of Ocean County.
Coles said the committee is engaged in discussions with representatives of the Lutheran SocialMinistries about possibly creating some type of transitional housing for homeless people.
He said he is planning to approach his fellow Ocean County mayors to discuss the idea of sharing the responsibility to house the homeless as a community and a county.
“Everyone wants the problem to be addressed, but no one wants to see a homeless shelter,” Coles said, adding that the committee’s most optimal goal is to have “scattered site transitional housing.”
In order to make these goals and ideas come into fruition, Coles said first “nonprofits need to be identified. Following that would be funding and staffing these facilities.”
Lastly, “the homeless have to admit they need help and seek it out. Many are living in the woods, some through no fault of their own, who do not have the facilities or support to deal with it,” Coles said.
According to statistics from the New Jersey Corporation for Supportive Housing, a national nonprofit, as of Jan. 25, 2007, there were 14,939 homeless people in New Jersey. Of that number, 12,397 were adults and 2,542 were children.
In Ocean County, 366 adults were found to be homeless. In Monmouth County, 590 adults were found to homeless, according to information provided by the Corporation for Supportive Housing. These numbers may be under-reported, according to the agency.
Anyone who would like to assist the Rev. Steve Brigham may call (732) 364- 0340 or (732) 814-5537. Brigham may also be reached at Lakewood Outreach Ministry Church, P.O. Box 326, Lakewood, NJ 08701.