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FISH Hospitality Program, Inc. P.O. Box 170, Dunellen NJ 08812 TEL: 732-968-5957 Serving Homeless Women and Families since 1990 |
| Administrative Office: 456 New Market Road, Piscataway admin@fishhospitality.org |
Executive Director: Theresa Donatiello Neidich, MSW/LSW fishhospsw@verizon.net |
July, 2022
Dear FISH Hospitality Partners,
In this our 32nd year, FISH Hospitality Program has witnessed enormous global changes that have impacted the ways in which we assist our guests. Beginning in March 2020, with the onset of COVID-19, we shifted from our church rotation model and began housing families in local motels. Thinking that this change would be temporary, we continued to believe that returning to our previous rotational shelter model was just around the corner. Two years later we are still housing families in motels. These and other factors outlined below have led us to make the difficult and heartbreaking decision to close FISH Hospitality Program.
Recently our host church coordinators came together to discuss whether and how to resume our shelter program. Only two (2) of our churches said that they would be able to host soon; others felt that Fall was a possibility but were not sure. And three (3) of our host churches will no longer be able to host our guests. It is difficult to be sure in such an unsure world. Prior to the pandemic many of our churches struggled to provide volunteers, especially for the overnight shifts. Now, COVID-19 has affected many of our stalwart volunteers (the majority of whom are senior citizens), both physically and emotionally; the same people who would normally be ready, willing, and able to help host are now unable to do so. The pandemic has also caused churches to re-think their spaces. Is air quality what it should be? With only dividers, how are guests and volunteers protected from other sick guests? How do we mandate vaccines for our volunteers and our guests? Is congregate living the best and safest way to help our guests?
Several years ago, Family Promise, a national program for assisting homeless people, determined that their rotational shelter model was no longer sustainable. They have been utilizing a variety of different models across the country, including diversion. Union County Family Promise is renting short-term apartments for their clients. It is a massive undertaking, but they have resources and staff who can coordinate the logistical issues presented by renting temporary apartments.
Middlesex County has initiated a diversion program. Rather than refer people into a shelter system, the program is designed to keep people in their present housing, and to assist them with case work, apartment referrals and financial assistance. The program is successful, resulting in far fewer potential families on the Middlesex County list each month. While we rejoice in the success of the Middlesex County program, the result is that there are far fewer people and families that meet the criteria for admission into our FISH program.
Norma Elliott and Anita Hoynes founded FISH in February 1990 to assist our homeless population. While most non-profits last, on average, for ten (10) years, FISH has existed for 32 years to help our homeless neighbors. Based on all of the above factors, however, the FISH Board of Directors has concluded that continuing our program is untenable. This decision did not come easily; we worry about what this closure will mean to the families whom we serve, as well as our church partners, our funders, our staff – indeed, all of you who have been supporting our efforts to help provide safe shelter for area families for many years. In the coming months, we will continue to do as much as we can to assist our families who are staying in motels. Our projected closure date is December 31, 2022.
To our coordinators and volunteers: we know that our FISH families whom you encountered and helped will remain in your prayers. Your kindness and willingness to connect with those families in their time of great need will live on in their hearts as well.
To our funders: we say thank you for believing in our mission and supporting it with your donations. FHP has always been very conscientious with the monies entrusted to us, helping our families as much as possible while operating with incredibly low overhead.
To the ministerial staff, administrators and maintenance staff at our churches: we give thanks for your willingness to give up church space a few weeks each year, enabling families to feel safe and secure on your campus. The challenges of having FISH Hospitality at your church were always resolved, thanks to your efforts.
As we prepare for our closure, we ask that you cease any recurring donations that you may have set up with your banking institutions. Coordinators, we no longer need meals nor gift cards for our remaining guests. Any remaining assets will be used to support the families who we are sheltering in addition to paying our debts and liabilities. We are required by law to distribute any other remaining assets to another non-profit 501(c)(3) organization under the direction of our attorney.
Again, the Board of Directors, as well as our executive director, Theresa Donatiello Neidich, give thanks to all of you who have helped our families over the past 32 years. Many lives have been changed by FISH Hospitality Program.
With gratitude,
Carole Cook
President, Board of Directors
Member of the Anti-Poverty Network of NJ and the NJ Coalition to End Homelessness
Affiliate of Fish, Inc. - Dunellen Area