If you’re like most Americans, you’re probably concerned about issues like inflation, hunger and homelessness, and drug use. According to Gallup’s 2023 Environment Survey, these are some of the top issues that Americans worry “a great deal” about. At a time when these concerns are top of mind, the Market Street Mission in Morristown, along with our Sussex County location in Newton and our Jersey Shore Rescue Mission location in Asbury Park, has programs in place to serve our neighbors in need struggling with alcoholism, drug abuse, hunger, and homelessness in New Jersey.
Of the 15 issues included in Gallup’s survey, drug use saw the largest increase in percentage of Americans worrying a great deal, from 38% in 2022 to 46% in 2023. This increase in concern is timely as the United States continues to face an opioid epidemic and crisis of overdose deaths. To meet this need, the Mission has a long-term residential addiction recovery Life Change Program for men struggling with substance abuse. The program is free for our residents and is structured to help men achieve a complete life change through physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual healing. In the first quarter of 2023, between our Mission locations, 37 men have joined our recovery program looking to rebuild their lives and restore relationships with their families and communities.
Gallup’s poll also notes 50% of Americans worrying about hunger and homelessness, and 61% worrying about inflation. The Mission’s Emergency Services allow us to address these issues in our community. We offer free meals to anyone in need, overnight shelter for men, access to showers, and vouchers for clothing and necessary household items. These are all ways we can meet the immediate physical needs of our neighbors and provide extra support for people struggling in the face of increased prices of daily essentials. From January to March 2023, our three locations have served 35,115 meals and provided 11,905 nights of shelter to our recovery program residents and community guests.
The generosity of our donors allows us to provide meals, shelter, and addiction recovery 365 days a year – and with these services, our guests also find restoration as their fears are replaced with renewed hope for the future.
“When I first got to the Mission, I immediately felt love from the clients, interns and staff,” said Will, a graduate of our addiction recovery program. “I didn’t have to worry about where I was going to sleep that night, what I was going to eat, the clothes on my back – it was all provided for me. I got the sense that people just wanted to help. I felt at home. Today I’m filled with joy and peace of mind.”
Anyone in need of our services or interested in supporting the work of the Mission can learn more on our websites: www.MarketStreet.org and www.JerseyShoreRescue.org. In the face of our greatest worries as a nation, there is still hope for healing and recovery.
The Market Street Mission is an experienced organization with a proven method of helping to fight alcoholism, drug abuse, hunger, and homelessness in Northern NJ. Our Sussex County location is a 14-bed hospitality room that provides overnight shelter for men, which includes a hot meal, shower, and access to pastoral counseling and group recovery meetings.
