Montclair shelter offers hope, comfort to those without a home
The 23-bed facility assists those families and individuals who are not eligible for shelter through the Division of Family and Benefits.
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As communities recognize World Homeless Day on Oct. 10. the Cornerstone Shelter in Montclair is proving that help can mean more than just a bed for the night.
The Salvation Army Cornerstone Shelter has been a safe place for those without a home in Essex County for nearly 40 years.
"When they come to us, we provide them with bedding," Michele Kroeze, the business manager said. "We give them a new set of sheets, a new pillow, we provide a space for them to have food storage, and just kind of feel they have a safe place to be."
The 23-bed facility assists those families and individuals who are not eligible for shelter through the Division of Family and Benefits.
Kroeze says homelessness in increasing daily.
"There is a steady increase in the number of homeless people that we see, the number of requests that we get," she says.
Beyond the shelter, The Salvation Army also has drop-in centers for the unhoused neighbors, which provide meals, showers and other resources.
State data shows that homelessness has increased more than 7% since last year.
