Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care – 91��Ƭ

Better Life Open House Highlights Programs And Services

Michelle Lang — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 16:53:04 +0000

91��Ƭ and hosted an open house at Better Life Nov. 15 to showcase the various programs and services offered to the community.

Better Life, which is located at 101 Fourteenth Ave., Newark, has three distinct programs at the location. The first floor houses the Better Life Engagement Center, which connects the homeless to services and offers a place for homeless individuals to come for help getting documents, help with a search for permanent housing and jobs, referrals to detox if requested and meals. Also on the first floor is Essex County Wellness Respite Services, which is a hospital diversion program that offers 10-day stays to individuals in crisis who are dealing with mental health or substance abuse issues. CSPNJ runs both programs on the first floor. On the second floor of Better Life, there are 20 apartments for formerly chronically homeless individuals. provides the services for those residents, though they also work with CSPNJ and are welcome at the downstairs Engagement Center. 91��Ƭ owns and manages Better Life, providing property management, security and maintenance.

NCC CEO Richard Rohrman explained that Better Life took 10 years to complete, but it represents great partnerships, both in the construction phase and the services provided.

“Monsignor’s vision and 91��Ƭ’s vision really centers on dignity. Dignity for everybody. All of us, at some point in our lives, someone came along and gave us a boost,” Rohrman said. “We’re just here to give folks the boost they need. And we’re just pleased to be part of it.”

Better Life Recovery Center Manager Shareatha Webster told the open house attendees that the reason for the facility is the vision of 91��Ƭ Founder Monsignor William J. Linder.

“Because he took action, it allowed a partnership to be formed,” she said. “When vision meets purpose, it creates an explosion. As a result of this, we have the Engagement Center today, we have respite services and the 20-unit studio apartments.”

CSPNJ Chief Operating Officer Mark Duffy praised staff members at Better Life and explained that the majority of CSPNJ employees have experience with mental illness, which helps them connect with and better understand those they serve.

“Because of 91��Ƭ we have this gorgeous building and we have these wonderful partners who come together to produce a very vital service and also a community where people are members of it,” he said.

James Shipman of Rutgers UBHC was responsible for filling up the apartments on the second floor of Better Life. While the need for supportive housing is great, it wasn’t that easy to fulfill all the requirements necessary, which included reviews by Rutgers UBHC, NCC and the .

“Today I’m happy to say we have 100 percent occupancy upstairs. It’s amazing. You had people who were on the street, the subway, wherever they were being homeless,” he said. “And it’s just a great feeling to know they have been successfully housed today.”

In addition to an apartment, Better Life residents receive support services from Rutgers UBHC. Shipman explained that staff members sit down with each client to develop an individual recovery plan and work with them on their issues. Residents are also encouraged to visit the Engagement Center and utilize the services CSPNJ provides. CSPNJ personnel also helped some residents secure documents they needed during the application process that they were missing.

Those who come to Better Life aren’t just getting an apartment, a meal or access to services. They also are able to make connections with people going through similar experiences and they often volunteer their time to help ensure the Engagement Center keeps operating smoothly.

Jarell Mann is a resident at Better Life and also a staff member. He shared his story with those at the open house, saying he was lost before entering the facility. When he saw what was happening at the Engagement Center, he decided to give back.

“It gave me purpose and inspiration. You never know what true service is until you really start giving back,” he said. “It’s truly been a better life.”

Open house attendees were able to tour the Engagement Center, respite area and an apartment on the second floor. They were also able to speak with staff members and ask any questions about operations.

91��Ƭ Hosts Grand Opening Of Housing Facility For The Chronically Homeless

Michelle Lang — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 20:38:46 +0000

NEWARK — 91��Ƭ hosted about 100 people Oct. 18 for the grand opening of its new supportive housing facility for the chronically homeless, which is also New Jersey’s first HUD Safe Haven model development.

Called A Better Life, the facility will house chronically homeless individuals, many who suffer from mental illness. They will live in studio apartments at 101 Fourteenth Ave. in Newark that include a private bathroom that is handicapped accessible and a kitchen area with a stovetop, microwave and refrigerator. A Better Life also has an engagement center, library, dining area, laundry room and common areas. Residents will have access to supportive services on site.

The grand opening was a culmination of six years of work. The $8 million project was the vision of 91��Ƭ Founder Monsignor William J. Linder.
At the grand opening, Linder said A Better Life is a beautiful facility for residents.

“One elected official said to me when we started 91��Ƭ that 91��Ƭ homes were too good for poor people. The housing should look poor. No, it shouldn’t look poor. It should look how much we love,” he said. “It’s a sign of our love, not their condition.”

CEO Richard Rohrman said throughout its 50 years, 91��Ƭ has always helped the most vulnerable and housing the chronically homeless is another piece of the puzzle.

“This is a group that requires our help. It requires much more than this. This can only just be the very beginning. The issue that we’re facing of homelessness is much larger than this,” Rohrman said. “We’re hoping that by doing this it can be replicated with more and more of this in the city and elsewhere.”

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo said the county has more than 3,000 homeless people. “So that’s a very, very high number. Being part of the 91��Ƭ family and being part of this, people that are here will be involved in all the other programs and services that are offered so it’s giving them a second chance and that’s what we should be doing,” he said.

Congressman Donald Payne Jr. said he was delighted to lend his support. “It’s not radical to propose that everyone have a home,” he said. “Our veterans, our citizens are in need and it’s incumbent upon us to do everything we can to eradicate that need.”

Federal Home Loan Bank of New York Community Investment Research and Outreach Specialist Brian Loeb said A Better Life meets people where they are to help them. “These 20 of the most vulnerable people in Newark are going to have a bed. And more than a bed, a place to call home,” he said.

Red Stone Equity Partners Managing Director of Acquisitions Richard Roberts said the solution to homelessness is simple. “It is supportive housing. It is the bricks and mortar with the services on site. Not around the corner, not down the block, not downtown,” he said. “And if we muster the resources and the political will to commit more money, time and energy to projects like this, a problem which harms so many people could be solved.”

New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency Executive Director Anthony Marchetta said the Christie and Obama administrations were involved in the completion of A Better Life. “We got half of the resources for this facility from the Sandy Special Needs Housing Trust Fund. That’s a combination of both the state and the federal government,” he said.

University Hospital’s emergency care system will refer individuals for placement at A Better Life. Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care will be providing 24/7 supervision and support for the residents.

Rosemarie Rosati, who recently retired as COO of Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care and was heavily involved in the planning and completion of A Better Life, said, “This program represents the best types of services that I worked to develop over my 38-year career in mental health.”

She said the building has been specially designed to serve the chronically homeless. “The services are tailored to engage folks because it’s difficult to just move off the streets to a structured program,” she said.

Former director of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Newark Field Office Diane Johnson served as the emcee of the grand opening. She talked about the many offerings of 91��Ƭ, including two early childhood learning centers; education and youth services; the Adult Learning Center; Workforce Development Center; 91��Ƭ Federal Credit Union; Harmony House, a transitional housing facility for homeless families; housing for families in Newark and Jersey City; senior housing in Newark, Orange and Jersey City; Extended Care, a nursing home; the Family Service Bureau, which provides behavioral and mental health services; and the Family Resource Success Center, which links individuals to services they need.

A Better Life is a joint project led by 91��Ƭ in collaboration with a number of funders and partnering agencies: New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, an affiliate of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs; Red Stone Equity Partners; Essex County HOME Program; Newark HOME Program; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York. Chelsea Construction Company, a subsidiary of 91��Ƭ, managed the project and Claremont Construction served as the general contractor. The facility was designed by lwdmr Architects.

Housing Project For Chronically Homeless Nears Completion

Michelle Lang — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 17:50:50 +0000

Workers paint a railing inside 91��Ƭ’s new housing facility for the chronically homeless, A Better Life.

Homeless individuals will soon have a new place to live.
Construction is about 85 percent complete for A Better Life, 91��Ƭ’s housing project for the chronically homeless. The facility is expected to be done this summer.
The $8 million endeavor is a joint project led by 91��Ƭ in collaboration with various funders and partnering agencies: New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, an affiliate of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs; Red Stone Equity Partners; Essex County HOME Program; Newark HOME Program; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York.
NCC Founder Monsignor William J. Linder says the facility is meant for the “hardcore homeless,” chronically homeless individuals who often suffer from mental and behavioral health issues, many of whom are veterans.
“These are people who will not live in city shelters. They would rather live on the streets,” Linder said. “I think they have a lot to teach us.”
NCC CEO Richard Rohrman believes the project will benefit the community. “A Better Life will provide the chronically homeless not only with a place to live, but with the services they need to further improve their quality of life.”
‘s emergency care system will refer the chronically homeless for placement at A Better Life and will provide 24-hour supervision at the facility to support the wellness and recovery efforts of the people living in the building.

Closet doors being installed in a unit of A Better Life.

Rena Gitlitz, director of community based services at Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care, says her organization will ensure the residents are linked to the resources they need, including physical and mental health services.
“We’re very excited about this partnership between three very strong entities, all very committed to the homeless population in Newark where there’s so much need,” Gitlitz said. “We’re very excited about this amazing opportunity for individuals to live in their own studio apartment, to really maximize their independence and to have a safe roof over their heads. This is an incredible opportunity for people.”
A Better Life has been six years in the making partly because it involves so many entities and funders. 91��Ƭ Environmental Services Project Manager Ronda Lawrence said the paperwork for A Better Life is extensive due to the various sources of funding for the multi-million dollar permanent supportive housing project.
“Every penny has to be accounted for,” she said.
The building is green, meaning the appliances are energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Unit doors are made of metal to reduce the risk of fire spreading throughout the building.
The building also has flooring that prevents water from seeping through from the second to first floor. Lawrence said that comes in handy should there be any type of flooding or if the sprinkler system were to be set off.
Chelsea Construction Company, an NCC subsidiary, is managing the project. It has served as the general manager during the construction phase of several NCC housing developments. Claremont Construction is serving as the general contractor.
The two-story facility will have 24 units, 20 of which will be reserved for residents. Each unit will be equipped with a private bathroom, kitchenette and living area. There will be an engagement center, laundry facilities and library available to residents.
A Better Life will provide the chronically homeless in need of services the opportunity to stay long-term as needed. Residents may also transition from the facility to other housing.
Lawrence is looking forward to the building’s opening and the gratifying feeling of providing housing to those that need it most.
“That’s the best feeling in the world,” she said.