As “Code Blue” conditions bring life-threatening freezing temperatures Friday night, the nonprofit Mercy Center is opening its “Under One Roof” Main Street location, the only designated handicapped-accessible warming center in Monmouth County.
The temporary warming center, located in the former Walgreens building in Asbury Park, provides safe shelter, warmth, food, and dignity to unhoused, mobility challenged neighbors, who have struggled to access safe shelter due to architectural barriers.
Mercy Center’s Under One Roof Capital Campaign calls for this facility to eventually be transformed into a new community hub designed to break cycles of poverty through food security, counseling, family support, education, and community-building.
This initiative is a collaborative partnership between Mercy Center, the nonprofit Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, and Trinity Center for Community, along with Trinity Church in Asbury Park, to create a space that meets basic human needs now and fosters long-term stability in the future.
“When I heard that space on Main Street became part of Mercy Center’s mission, I immediately thought it might be a great opportunity for those with physical challenges to have a place to go on Code Blue nights,” said Dorothea Bongiovi, Board Member, JBJ Soul Foundation.
“The Mercy Center did not hesitate to step up,” she said. “Trinity does incredible work helping our neighbors in need, and this new space will support them in their efforts this winter. We at JBJ Soul Foundation are proud to work alongside these great organizations to serve our communities.”
Trinity Church’s outreach program, Trinity Center for the Community, is the lead Code Blue warming center in Asbury Park, but it is not yet handicapped accessible. Guadagno emphasized the practicality and purpose behind opening Mercy Center’s building immediately to fill the gap.
“Mercy Center is already heating and powering this space as we try to secure additional funding to complete the needed renovations to make this a community hub,” said Kim Guadagno, Mercy Center CEO and a former Lieutenant Governor. “It simply makes sense to open it to people who are in dire need. “We have ADA-accessible bathrooms, food from our pantry and partner churches, and donated blankets ready to go.”
Monmouth County officials have issued a Code Blue Alert that will remain in effect from 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14 to 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15. A Code Blue Alert is declared whenever temperatures are expected to drop below the freezing point (32 degrees Fahrenheit).
Community Fundraiser at The Stone Pony, Dec. 10
To fund warming center operations throughout the winter and support the Under One Roof renovation efforts, Mercy Center will host a community benefit concert, “Operation Turn Up the Heat, Save a Life,” at the Stone Pony on Wednesday, Dec. 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Local musicians and community partners will perform in support of Mercy Center’s Code Blue response and future development of the region’s first fully accessible community hub. Proceeds will directly support staffing, supplies, heat and utilities, and Code Blue emergency efforts.
For information on ticket sales or sponsorship opportunities for the benefit concert, go here. To donate to support warming center operations, or contribute to the Under One Roof Campaign, visit mercycenternj.org or contact Tom Hayes at thayes@mercycenternj.org.
About Mercy Center
Mercy Center is a nonprofit that works to alleviate generational poverty in the Greater Asbury Park area. Guided by the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy Center provides services, programs, and education in a culturally sensitive manner to empower people, enrich lives, and strengthen families. Last year, Mercy Center served 110,000 people from 24 towns in Monmouth County.
