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Community Corner

ICHF Executive Director: 'The Face of Homelessness Can Be Anyone'

Parsippany organization continues to provide assistance to those in need.

The Interfaith Council for Homeless Families of Morris County met Thursday night at Greystone Park as the surrounding area is being transformed into a hub for non-profit organizations, with the (not affiliated) soon moving right next door.

The ICHF is run by three full-time staff members, 10 board members, four part-time staff and an armada of 1,600 estimated volunteers drawn from more than 70 congregations, ranging from churches to synagogues.

The former Greystone’s Greik Johnson House, now the official building for ICHF and the N.J. Aids Service, was obtained through a grant from the county. The homeless come to the house when they aren’t working to build portfolios, resumes or look for jobs.

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Dominique Tornabe has been with the organization for three years, and was recently appointed as the vice president in January.

“You find your greatest joy in service to others, and I think compassion inspires compassion," she said. "It’s a chain reaction.”

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The organization, with the help of Tornabe, pushes for education of poverty.

“Morris County is wealthy, so you don’t think it, but homelessness doubled in 2010,” Tornabe said.

Half of ICHF’s clientele include families with children. She estimates there are between 600 and 800 homeless living in Morris County alone.

The organization also strives for self sufficiency as the only organization without a limit to the amount of time someone can stay with them.

ICHF works primarily in two branches: Host Congregations and Support Congregations. The two branches have similar roles, but while the Host Congregations provide a place to sleep, the Support Congregations supply basic necessities, such as food and medical care as well.

The ICHF's goal is to not just have its clients find minimum-wage jobs, but find sustainability as well.

“You can’t support yourself in a place like Morristown with a minimum-wage job, and if you have children, it just gets even more impossible,” Tornabe said.

The organization also offer clients case workers, financial advisors and social workers to assist them. The ICHF continues to provide assistance to clients even after they receive housing. 

As executive director, Joann Bjornson heads the management and volunteering of the organization. She works on the internships with social workers and communication majors (primary way they get the homeless help). She also spearheads the volunteering as well as associating and connecting with corporations that can help support ICHF.

About 70 percent of the organization's $1 million yearly budget is derived through donations.

According to Bjornson, the organization collaborates with local companies, congregations and other non-profits to achieve a 92-percent success rate in helping homeless individuals find a home and job.

ICHF networks with other organizations, including Community Hope, Interfaith Food Pantry and the Children of the Green, to provide the appropriate accomodations to those in need.

“The biggest thing that the average person can do, is educate and spread awareness” Bjornson said. “The face of homelessness can be anyone.”

For more information about ICHF, visit its website or call 973-998-0820.

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