News - Shelters & Housing

Warren County, New Jersey is home to many beautiful mountains, lakes, historical buildings, and bridges. Over 100,000 people live in Warren County and according to the 2020 census, Phillipsburg had 15,249 residents. Philipsburg is the most populated municipality in Warren County and unfortunately continues to combat the issue of homelessness. Warren County’s Department of Human Services offers resources to help those in need who are unsheltered or at risk of losing stable housing.

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen received a generous gift from the Middlesex County Probation Division. A $700 donation was given to the Ozanam Family Shelter which is located in Edison, New Jersey and can provide shelter for 16 single women and 26 families. Besides shelter, Ozanam can provide meals, assistance with permanent housing, employment and children's educational placement, and case management services.

On November 08, 2021, the Edison Health Department held a Flu Shot Clinic event at the Ozanam Family Shelter. The vaccines were offered to both clients and staff at the Shelter. A total of 11 clients and 4 staff members received their flu shot.

Since enrollment in the Keeping Families Together program, Tonya has moved progressively towards independence, despite being a victim of domestic violence, family challenges and past traumas. She moved into a new home, obtained her GED and plans to enroll in a sleep study technician program at Thomas Edison University.

Only two months after the ribbon was cut and the building blessed, signifying the opening of the brand-new housing complex in Edison, the St. Paul the Apostle Senior Residence was one of only two projects selected as the Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey’s “Project of the Year.”

Left to Right, Aoife Scott and Ciaran Scott with Catholic Charities Case Worker, Jeffry Alfaro. Ciaran Scott wanted to do something for his ministry at St. Joseph High School in Metuchen. His mom called the Ozanam Family Shelter and Catholic Charities Staff member Catherine Jackson provided a short list of items that would benefit those staying at the shelter.  Ciaran took responsibility for collecting the water and his sister, Aoife organized the toiletries. They texted their friends and family about their cause and within a short time were able to collect all of the items on the list.  During the last week of June, Ciaran and Aoife brought their donation of water, diapers, napkins, cleaning supplies and cosmetics to the Ozanam Family Shelter.  The pair told their mom they felt “great” donating to the shelter. 

Left to Right, Catholic Charities Staff Member Cynthia Bagner, Rutgers Students Khushbu Mistry and  Nandini Patel, Staff Members Shahan Gilliam and Diana Mandel

Thank you to Michelle Cumberbatch and her son Malcom for their generous donations of socks, deodorant and razors for the men at the Ozanam Inn.

Grateful for the food donation from St Matthew's School in Edison to the Ozanam Family Shelter

Bishop Ottis Blount facilitated a delivery of food to the Ozanam Family Shelter from the Greater Worship Kingdom Church Good Deeds Food Pantry.

Anonymous Mask and Glove Donation made to Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen’s Ozanam Family Shelter

Tarum Maheshwar from the Edison SAI Center delivered 25 handmade masks and more to the Ozanam Family Shelter

Community House at St. Thomas, managed by Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen (CCDOM) is licensed by the Department of Community Affairs as a shared residence for eight adults with disabilities who are self-directed and mentally competent. “The residents of Community House live as a family, in a home that fosters independence, allowing the residents to integrate into the greater community while living in the least restrictive, supportive environment”, said CCDOM Supervisor, Susan Kuzma

The employees of American Standard, the plumbing supply manufacturer that is part of LIXIL, were honored at the Diocese of Metuchen’s Champions for Catholic Charities Dinner Oct. 16 at the Palace in Somerset Park, Somerset.

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen will host the 2017 Champions for Catholic Charities Dinner on Monday, October 16 at the Palace in Somerset Park, Somerset. The event this year will highlight the partnership between Catholic Charities and a local business. Proceeds from the dinner the will support Catholic Charities’ ongoing efforts in providing assistance to the poor and vulnerable throughout Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren counties.

Edison NJ resident, James Rosa prepares to cut Victor Gorafi’s hair. Mr. Gorafi is one of 8 men who signed up for a haircut during James’ visit to the Ozanam Inn operated by Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen. Both James and the shelter are hoping to make this a monthly event for the residents.

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen Facilities & Maintenance Manager Rich Matarangelo (Center) oversees Maintenance Repair Workers Rodolfo Garcia (left) and Bill Decorso as they assemble faucets at Naomi’s Way. In all, more than $100,000 in bathroom and kitchen fixtures, faucets and labor renovation funds plus more than 300 hours of employee volunteer painting time was donated by plumbing brand American Standard, part of LIXIL, toward the renovation of 12 housing units operated by Catholic Charites at Naomi’s Way.

Despite the snow, six pallets of clothing and household goods were separated and loaded into vans headed for Catholic Charities Diocese of Metuchen offices by store associates, who shared in the celebration of the Grand Opening of Burlington Coat Factory in East Brunswick, NJ on Friday, March 10, 2017.