Bob’s Discount Furniture and the New York Giants worked together to support the opening of Rights of Passage II, a collaborative homeless prevention program between Interfaith Neighbors (IFN) of Asbury Park and Covenant House New Jersey (CHNJ).
A dedication ceremony was held on November 14, 2019 to officially open the home that will serve five young women.
“The Rights of Passage homes are special places, intended to ease the transition from homelessness to independence for Asbury Park youth,” Interfaith Neighbors Executive Director Paul McEvily said. CHNJ began working with Asbury Park’s homeless youth population in 2012.
The Rights of Passage II home consists of five en suite bedrooms, two sets of washer/dryer units on the second floor, a large kitchen with secured lockers for non-perishables, communal living and dining rooms, and a 24-hour Covenant House manned office.
Residents will participate in an 18-month long, semi-independent, life skills training program. All residents are required to return to school and/or seek stable employment.
Bob’s Discount Furniture donated and delivered furniture for the five young women. New York Giants Alumni Stephen Baker and Bob’s representatives attended the dedication ceremony to show support for the community.
“Homelessness and housing instability are unfortunately big issues across the U.S. But when you get strong partners together like Interfaith Neighbors, Covenant House, Bob’s and the Giants, you can see that making an impact is possible, one life at a time,” said Kenneth Richmond, Bob’s store manager. “I am so happy that our furniture will be part of making Right of Passage feel like a home for the five young ladies who’ll be living here.”
Rights of Passage II was made possible by partnerships with multiple organizations, including the New York Giants, Bob’s Discount Furniture, Provident Bank Foundation, Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce, WithumSmith + Brown, PC, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Little Silver, and Covenant House Asbury Park Program Board. Support also came from members of the community who joined the Sleep Out movement by hosting a series of overnight awareness campaigns across Monmouth County and beyond.
“We are so grateful for the partnership with Bob’s and that they believe in our vision for helping our young people achieve their dreams and goals,” says Covenant House NJ’s Executive Director, Jim White. “Today, all of our young people are working or going to school; some are doing both. We know that if young people who experience homelessness are given a safe and supportive environment, they can move beyond homelessness and to a life of fulfilling their dreams and everything they deserve.”
