The Folk Project, an organization that has brought together music fans in New Jersey for decades, is still doing so despite the coronavirus pandemic.

“We're giving people an expression of community in addition to the music,” says Mark Schaffer.

Schaffer of The Folk Project has opened his Rockaway home to musicians and audience alike recently.

He is hosting concerts until the organization's permanent venue reopens, after being shuttered in the pandemic. The Folk Project, a nonprofit run by volunteers joined by their love of acoustic music, quickly pivoted to virtual programs when the pandemic hit.

“We've developed an online community this year,” says Mark Schaffer. “We've developed online programs, singalongs, music writing workshops."

As people can gather again, Schaffer says vaccinated audiences are coming to enjoy the music and musicians like Todd Dennison are able to share their talent, which is what drew him to The Folk Project years ago.

The Folk Project will continue to stream its live shows, and looks to reopen its Troubador concert venue in September.

Donations made by viewers for concerts streamed by the group have gone to participating musicians, helping support them at a time when live venues were shuttered.