On August 22nd, 2018 Getting Off the Streets screened in Haddonfield, NJ. It was a story documenting the lives of four homeless men in Camden, NJ for six months through an organization called the Interfaith Homeless Outreach Council or IHOC a non-profit organization that is solely volunteer based, run by Sonya Jacobs.
IHOC is a 28 week program that accepts ten to twelve men a year and aims to get them off the streets. This year they carefully selected ten men, but only one completed the program and stayed on track. This shows how difficult and complex the problem of homelessness is. Being homeless intersects with many other issues you may face like lack of a support system, substance abuse and or trauma.
IHOC takes a zero tolerance (no substance abuse) approach to tackle the issue that is keeping many of these men on the streets. During the first ten weeks of the program the men experience a black-out period where they have no contact with their family so that they focus on themselves first and foremost. This is not to say that they do not have a support system. The volunteers of IHOC and other program participants become their support much like a family. They attend meetings to address the issues they face and are helped to find jobs and permanent housing which will lay the foundation of their lives after the program ends.
It takes many people to pull one person out of homelessness not just one. These men get a second chance at life when they agree to go through the program. As mentioned many times throughout the duration of the night, these men have to want it for themselves before they seek help.
The short film was an inspiration to all who filled the room including the men who had completed the program or were currently in it, volunteers who make it all possible, the residents of Camden and the people who work in the city everyday.
What they hope people will take from the film is that people will start a conversation to help (volunteers are always needed) and they hope it brings awareness to the homelessness issue in Camden, the resource that are not availble and how close you can be to being in their position.
To help, you can be that person to start a conversation, you can demand more from your elected officials, you can donate food or money or you can simply talk to those on the street to ask what they need.
The full series will air an episode each day starting on Saturday August 25th, 2018 on NJTV.
Heade to NJTVonline.org and search "Getting Off the Streets" or click on the link below!
https://www.njtvonline.org/programs/chasing-the-dream/getting-streets-t…
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