NJ TRANSIT Hosts "Chance for Change" Launch Event

good afternoon everyone thank you for your your patience as we allow U several of our North Jersey coast line trains the P we did find out the hard way is better to let them do their thing than try to talk over them so thank you um I really appreciate everyone joining us here today as New Jersey Transit proudly introduces an Innovative new safety and support initiative through our work with the prestigious partner organizations we have here today my name is Brian Wilton I'm the chief legal officer at at New Jersey Transit and I'm thrilled to be back here in Redbank where I previously served as a municipal prosecutor and had the opportunity to work with law enforcement Municipal Court elected officials and many of the partners that we have here today to address the same issues it's my pleasure to be your MC and to welcome and introduce all of our esteemed partners and co-speaker this morning first we're fortunate to have with us today Red Bank Deputy Mayor Kate Triano welcome Deputy Mayor Triano thank you for coming out to speak today and for your steadfast support and advocacy for Community safety initiatives I'm also pleased to introduce the chief of the New Jersey Transit Police Department Christopher trillo you can see under Chief jilla's leadership New Jersey Transit Police Department has developed an National reputation as a model of progressive policing and we thank him for his commitment to initiative and Community Focus policing strategies I'm pleased also to introduce Heather Garb from the jbj soul Foundation thank you for joining us here today and for your organization's commitment to providing resources for our community's most vulnerable members let me also introduce Pamela Baker and leima Edwards from the collaborative support program of New Jersey thank you both for joining us here and for your organization's crucial role in providing support and resources to this community finally I'd like to thank the John bonjovi Soul foundation and the Volunteers of America Delaware Valley for being valued Partners in this initiative their contributions are crucial to the success of this program Today marks a significant step for New Jersey Transit and our customers as we launch chance for change initiative and cross our entire network this program represents a collaborative effort between New Jersey Transit and New Jersey Transit Police Department our valued Partners the John Bon Joi Soul Foundation collaborative support programs of New Jersey and Volunteers of America Delaware Valley the aim of chance for change is to provide a safe secure and effective way for our customers to contribute to these organizations that deliver essential services to those in need through this program we are directly addressing the challenges faced by these individuals experiencing homelessness substance abuse disorders and other social services needs and by leveraging technology transfer change enables New Jersey Transit customers to make a tangible difference donations can be made safely and securely via QR codes displayed at our facilities through our mobile app and on our website the program is now available at njtransit.com change and also through our QR codes on posters at New Jersey Transit facilities digital advertising screens on social media and on the New Jersey Transit mobile app best of all donations go directly to our partner organizations ensuring that the assistance reaches those who genuinely seek help our partners will provide services such as food Mental Health Care substance use substance abuse use support and Pathways to stable Housing Services that are crucial to transforming lives and fostering stronger [Music] communities guess we got it wrong [Music] that's why this initiative not just about giving it's about creating a sustainable long-term impact together through change for CH chancef for change we are not only enhancing the safety and well-being of our Transit network but also reaffirming our commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of those who need it most I encourage all of you to spread the word about CH transfer change and to consider how each of us can contribute to this important cost with your support we can build a brighter future for all our communities and for New Jersey as a whole now it's my pleasure to introduce my friend and Red Bank Deputy Mayor Kate Triano thank you Brian it's good to have you back in Red Bank uh my name is Kate chano I'm the deputy mayor of Red Bank I'm honored to be joined here today by councilwoman Dr Laura janon councilwoman Nancy facy black councilman Ben Forest acting Chief Michael frzy shant Middleton from our social worker program in our police department and I also see a lot of other Community Partners here today and we're grateful Red Bank is known even though we're a little two square mile town as a place where we care for each other we're known for the connectivity of our East Side to our west side we're known as a place with a high concentration of nonprofits and we are extremely proud to be a place that sees our most vulnerable as equals to our most known that is what makes Red Bank Red Bank so when I heard that they were going to launch this new program here I felt it was super fitting uh jbj I have to speak about for a minute I know that there's a couple other partner nonprofits uh but I've had the honor of being involved with their work uh since 2018 when we launched uh the warming Center here in Red Bank and the code blue committee when you talk about effective work like this in a program like this becoming effective the nonprofits that they've chosen to start this with are Aces they're A+ you couldn't have picked better Partners you can really stand by saying you're going to give real help for the homeless simply because you chose jbj as your partner there is not a single penny that is going to go their way that isn't used to actually help people uh so it's an honor to be here I look forward to learning more about the program I can tell you that in Red Bank we are going to make sure the word gets out we're going to explain to people that this is a really easy way to give back and you know I think about those Riders when they're standing on the platform and this is a hard economy it's hard for my family the groceries are expensive it's really hard right now so to be asking people to give back when they're in the middle of their commute and they're doing something that costs them so much of their budget uh it takes a lot to be able to stand up here today and Advocate uh for that but like I said because of the partners that you've chosen it's a home run and we know that it's actually going to impact this area and it's going to do a little good a lot of good so thank you New Jersey Transit thank you Brian uh thank you to Chris deia for your wonderful communication with the with the burough throughout this and uh welcome to Red Bank please stick around eat lunch support the economy thank you thank you Deputy Mayor now at this time I'd like to introduce the chief of the New Jersey Transit Police Department Christopher Trilla thanks Brian good morning everyone uh I'm real happy to be here for this launch uh the chance for change this program represents a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to serve and uplift the atrisk communities I'd like first to extend a heartfelt thank you to our partners for joining us this morning the deputy mayor K Triano thank you heather GARP from the John Bovi Soul Foundation you're right it's easier to say JB soul I think and our uh Partners Pamela Baker and leima Edwards it's good to see you both and uh thank you for being here thank you for partnering with us uh the collaborative support programs of New Jersey and the Volunteers of America from Delaware Valley as I mentioned I'm really pleased to be here not just because it's an absolutely beautiful day and it is always a pleasure to be in Red Bank uh I know my wife and I enjoy the community uh at times and uh the wonderful restaurants and the uh the walks that you have but put simply uh chance for change seamlessly helps us to accomplish two of our Department's most important goals and one is keeping people safe of course but the other is our social responsibility to help those as the deputy mayor mentioned who are less fortunate than us so we're happy for that uh the New Jersey Transit Police Department for a long time has recognized its responsibility in these two areas Public Safety and our social responsibility it happens that chance for change aligns perfectly with this um I'm going to brag a little we have an awardwinning community outreach program in the New Jersey Transit Police Department and a number of those officers that you might see in the uh khaki jeans and uh with the polo shirts and I'm waving at two of them right there officer noones and officer Vino uh I like to say they do God's work we don't force any of our officers at New Jersey transit to do Outreach work they volunteer to do Outreach work so through this program our officers work with state and local Social Service organizations to help connect atrisk individuals with the services they need including Health Care housing veterans programs Rehabilitation and other critical resources last year in November we were honored to receive the an Klein Advocate award for their work through this unit and I have to recognize one of my command officers inspector Nicholas prone how do I mess up an Italian name who's to my right because under his leadership this program grew and this program got to the point where we were recognized with this prestigious award the chancef for change program Builds on these efforts by providing access to critical services like food Mental Health Care substance use support and stable housing it's a comprehensive approach to address the challenges faced by those who are most vulnerable in our communities in addition we know that the majority of our customers who use New Jersey Transit are just like you they're like the mayor mentioned they're kind they want to help others they don't want to just walk by those who are less fortunate they want to do something this chance for change program enables them to do that something because here's the reality that we know in in law enforcement that good nature donation that you give on the spot is much as you're doing it from your heart it's going more than likely to Foster the addiction the problem and you're not helping it's not helping the people that you think you're helping but Chance For Change is an opportunity to do something from the heart to get the money where it needs to be so they can get the actual real help that they need transfer change is an ideal way for customers to ensure their contributions go directly into those who truly need and seek help and not those the reality sometimes also is that people who are looking to Panhandle or commit crime or also at times frequent public transportation facilities because they know that people will give them money so you can make our Transit facilities safer if you utilize the chance for change the QR code and donate by by that way this program really is a win win win for all involved when increase support for partner agencies more help for those in need and a safe and secure way for our customers to to contribute I'd be remiss if I didn't take a moment though to also thank acting Chief uh Mike franceses because we get a great help from our partners from the Red Bank PD and I want to thank the acting Chief so let's continue to work together to make a positive impact and hopefully change lives for the better now I'll turn it back over to Brian thank you Chief and thank you for everything you and the department have done to advance this initiative and and all the community outreach that the officers do every day at this time it's my pleasure to bring to the podium the deputy director of homelessness services for the collaborative support programs of New Jersey Pamela Baker switching it up we're switching it up a little bit um hello everyone my name is Heather Goldfarb I'm the executive director for the John Bon JY Soul Foundation throughout our 18 years working in hunger and homelessness one thing the John Banji Soul Foundation has always stood by is that no one organization can do this work alone it takes strong Partnerships organizations and individuals coming together to help those who need a hand up we truly embody the power of we in all of our work at the foundations and our kitchens that is why when we were approached by the New Jersey Transit Police last fall to join them in partnership with the vaad DV and CSP andj to help those coming to the New Jersey transit station seeking help we did not hesitate to say yes our jbj soul kitchens in Red Bank and Tom's River welcome everyone to our table regardless of your ability to pay we operate on a Pay It Forward model and do not turn anyone away over the years we've become more than a meal we' have become a rest fit for the weary a shelter for those with nowhere to go here in Red Bank we're around the corner from the train station and have had people coming from across New Jersey and even New York City seeking our help this past winter our numbers were higher than ever our community coordinator Nicole dhy and mhas Christina perowsky worked tirelessly to connect our guests to the services that they need I'm happy to share that over the past 9 months they assisted nearly 20 of our jbj Soul Kitchen guests in finding housing many of our unsheltered guests rely on New Jersey transit to get two and from critical appointments for securing stable housing our partners provide Bus and Train passes to our guests in need of them including Vinnie our most recent guest to secure housing he's actually using New Jersey Transit bus services this morning to travel to and from Freehold to pick up the keys to his brand new apartment seeing firsthand the incredible work that the vaad DV and cspnj do day in and day out by partnering with them through our kitchens we knew we needed to be part of the chancef for change program we are so proud to work with these amazing organizations along with the New Jersey Transit Police and we look forward to continuing to offer our services to those who come to us for assistance and now I'd like to introduce Amanda leise from vaa DV and Pamela Baker from cspnj all right get that little guy out of here all right sorry I'm a little short um so good afternoon thank you guys so much for having us all here um again I'm Pamela Baker from cspnj um our deputy director of homelessness services so um I myself have been so lucky to work with uh again the inspector who uh has been nothing short of amazing uh during this entire project um this collaboration has been um I mean I really know what else to say but nothing short of incredible right we've been able to work with the most amazing officers uh partnering together really working collaboratively being able to meet folks where they're at um really providing person first Services right because that's exactly what folks need meeting folks in the terminal uh talking every day in and out even if they say no right we we keep coming until we we hopefully get that person to help they need so um we've been impressed by the partnership uh both by uh vaa of of Delaware and also from NJ Transit just the partnership the collaboration The Compassion has been absolutely amazing um we really look forward to to continuing this and hopefully we're we're really excited for the the years to come especially now partnering with uh jbj and chance for change um we're super excited to be able to offer even more assistance and services to the folks that we see in a terminal every day um you know we're also very happy and proud say that you know we've been able to assist a very large amount of folks especially at a Fen station um where we've made a visible difference uh at the everyday situation that's going on right so like you actively see people receiving surface getting something tangible and leaving the terminal with something like housing uh services or their documents whatever the case may be it's just again it's been it's been amazing um this initiative uh working together with with vaa of Delaware um again we've we've been able to create such a partnership that really goes right to the core value of what we have at CSP which is the relationship building that we do with everybody including the people that we serve so um without uh further Ado I'm going to keep mine a little on the shorter side and I'm going to pass it along to uh leima Edwards who also is with our agency um but we had the pleasure of meeting her uh through uh via this this project actually um imp pensation uh so we're going to invite her up here next and again thank you guys so much for your time [Applause] so good afternoon everyone uh my name is leim Edwards um I'm one of the regional coordinators at collaborative support programs of New Jersey and two years ago I was an individual who has succumbed to severe mental illness um substance use disorder and chronic homelessness as a result someone for whom over six years I went through this from having my own success prior being being a college graduate being employed living dayto day eventually became my reality on the streets and because I didn't treat my severe mental illness which was left untreated my substance used it grown and I began to sleep in Parks train stations benches Bandos or anywhere that I could fall asleep I remember roughly two years ago after being after being going through this I was engaged by several Outreach efforts which failed it wasn't until at the time which I didn't know at the time was a new Outreach team that was collaborating with NJ Transit um and I learned that was collaborative support programs of New Jersey it was the beginning of a light to my journey to gain my life back I remember being approached by officers at Penn Station that night before and I was so apprehensive because they're officers of course and part of it was because I was trespassing um and sleeping in the terminals but the next day while pan handling this is why this is so beneficial I was approached by an Outreach work worker which I later Learned was from collaborative support programs um and they were so inviting they attempted to help connect me to services and I never forgot that and for those who know me would know that it didn't just take one engagement it took that constant social interaction that constant care that constant genuine love that they gave me that eventually got me to the point where I decided to check out the wellness centers eventually over time with the encouragement of the officers and the Outreach team and the staff at cspnj I decided to go seek treatment eventually I got treatment um and then I was able to manage my severe mental illness but it wasn't hard for me to have extreme gratitude I'm trying not to cry um extreme gratitude um to go back and say thank you I eventually started volunteering and I started working for cspnj and it was such an honor to get an opportunity to work with the transit Outreach team the very team that helped me I Ed the same approach with the social connection that was provided to me and offices at Transit were handson with us as an Outreach team as we did Outreach it was unique because they knew each individual and the services that services that they needed and the peer supporters were right there to join especially officer Fifer he taught me everything um he was the one who demonstrated to me personally how great Pier Pier support in building connection with those we're trying to help and referring to to Services was I unfortunately only got an opportunity to work a short time with the transit Outreach because of of course I got a different promotions and so forth which is great but I did highlight this thank you guys I did highlight this in an article to share my story because I think it's important to give hope and realize that peer support does work and having a great team together does work um because of this I have a personal love for Transit and cspnj and I consistently join the transit trekkin thanks to Pam Baker allowing me to do so and that helps me to stay connected and to see what's going on and see the amazing work that the team is still doing out there I am living proof that this approach works I am living proof that this will help those who are in need and if it did exist when I was out there in the terminals things could have been probably different and faster but I can say if there wasn't such a collaboration I don't think I know where I would be so I just want to thank you for allow me to share my experience and I thank everybody for listening and this is great you guys [Applause] thank you leima for for coming here and sharing that amazing story that helps us show what programs like this one we're launching today can do Pamela Heather thank you again for the for your teams and all the support you've given to help us kick this off as we conclude today's event let's remember that the success for chance for change depends on our collaborative effort every contribution no matter the size helps to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those who need it most thank you for all your commitment to this cause together we can create a more compassionate and supportive Community for everyone I'd like to invite all the speakers that were here today as well as our our support Partners to come up uh for a photo he