Jared Kugel, CEO of Tire Agent, came close to homelessness years ago. Now he’s helping support the very community he nearly joined. Kugel is one of the Hoboken Shelter’s most active partners, offering mentorship to guests and providing ongoing financial support for several of its programs. “Their personalities and how passionate they were, truly inspired me,” he said. In 2019, while launching his company, Kugel exhausted his savings and had to sell personal belongings just to cover his mortgage. He says that experience drives the work he does today.

Tire Agent has made more than $150 million in revenue, selling 2 million tires and gaining more than 500,000 customers. The Hoboken Shelter serves 500 meals a day and provides beds for 50 people each night. Staff say community partners are essential as homelessness continues to rise statewide. Anthony, a shelter staff member, said the need is growing.

“On any given night, 10,000 people are sleeping on the streets in New Jersey. We can’t do it alone,” he said. The shelter, which opened in 1982, has helped hundreds of people transition into permanent housing. So far this year, 150 people have moved from the streets into shelter services and into homes. Kugel says he hopes his story shows that recovery is possible and that support can change lives.