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News from Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison

Community Spotlight: Holly Onorato

Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison provides a robust supportive services program for its residents in support of their work to live stable, healthy and independent lives. As part of its programming, Mission First: Edison offers one-on-one counseling and onsite programs as well as connects residents to external resources to assist in their personal goals.


Residents living with and managing Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and in need of recovery support and encouragement, have been fortunate to have Rev. Holly Onorato along with them in their journey. Holly is a certified Addiction Services Coordinator and Recovery Coach for the Township of Edison. Biweekly, she sets up a table in the community rooms at the properties for our residents to come talk to her.


The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2015 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress reports that more than half of adults living in permanent supportive housing had a mental health disorder or a co-occurring mental health and SUD. “I am there, available for people to come talk to me, Holly said. “I am planting seeds. I am not the boss of anyone. I cannot make anyone. I am a peer sharing their lived experience. And I tell them there is another way.”


Holly’s passion for this work comes from her personal knowledge of addiction. She is a long-time recovered addict whose mother died from a drug overdose. Her father’s work to achieve recovery inspired her to also take the important step to become clean. She is a firm believer in peer support and is drawn to spreading awareness of the signs of addiction and helping others start their journey to recovery.


Holly subscribes to the Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) model. SMART Recovery is an evidenced-informed recovery method that supports people with substance dependencies to build and maintain motivation; cope with urges and cravings; manage thoughts, feelings and behaviors and live a balanced life.


“Addiction is isolating. I have other residents who have overcome addiction. They enjoy talking to me to just be inspired and uplifted. I like to let them know they are doing great and it’s going to get easier. We are walking together.”


Recently, a resident reached out to Holly and told her that she was really struggling to control her addiction and needed help. After discussion, Holly took them directly to an in-patient rehabilitation center. Holly’s consistent presence on site created an environment for the resident to feel comfortable asking for help.


For 13 years, Holly has been a certified yogi as part of her own recovery. She has brought yoga as well as health and wellness programs to Amandla Crossing and Imani Park to promote self-care.


“Self-care is essential. We have to fill up all of that time that we used to dedicate to using and being hung over. Now we have this whole new chapter, a whole new lease on life, and we have to fill up our day with positive, sustainable ways to be happy.”


In her role with the Township of Edison, Holly works hand-in-hand with the police department to get a roster of people who were either administered NARCAN or picked up for an addiction-related incident. She makes home visits to talk to them about the options for recovery and offer support to their families. Holly also offers addiction support for vaping and drugs to the students at both Edison High School and John P. Stevens High School. She reassures addicts that they are not alone and there are ways she can help them.


We are so happy, and fortunate, to have Holly as part of our course of care and community resources. Her contribution to our residents has really made an impact on those who need guidance in their journey to recovery, and those who are looking to take the first step.

Partner Spotlight; St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

A legacy that lasts is a legacy that continues to be passed down throughout time. That special kind of legacy is exactly what is continuing at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Metuchen, NJ. St. Luke’s is a small Church with big heart when it comes to helping others, with a community filled with people of all ages.


The Church is really involved with the outreach in the community, “Whatever we can do to help others, we are there” says Linda Zeh, a member of St. Luke’s outreach ministry. Linda has been with the Church for 25 years and has assisted with the mission of helping others. She has been able to see firsthand the impact that St. Luke’s has in the community.


The legacy of giving started awhile back at a home for women who were survivors of domestic abuse and their children. There was a lot of focus on the children for Christmas, but not a lot for the moms.

“It started off small at first with little plastic bags of toiletries to deliver so that the moms had something,” Linda said, and then it grew to be a little bit bigger, with some parishioners going to the store to buy full size toiletries. Now there is a parishioner who knits scarves for every mom.” St. Luke’s then took this model of generosity and brought it to Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison.


The outreach ministry has also sparked a great partnership between Linda and Melissa Mascolo, our Director of Program Management. Linda brings donated items from St. Luke’s to Melissa, who will then use them wherever they are needed.


St. Luke’s provides items to residents such as knit hats, socks and gloves and hygiene supply bags, as well as gift cards for emergency needs or new move-ins.


The members of the Church are deeply rooted in a philosophy of doing what they can, when they can. “Nine times out of 10, if I go to the Church and make an announcement (about a need), someone will have it,” Linda says.


Melissa once spoke to Linda about a new resident in need of a lamp, so Linda stood up in church and said, “we have a new resident who needs a lamp, if anyone has a lamp they want to part with, please let me know.” Someone ended up donating a lamp, and the recipient raved about it, noting she was “over the moon about the lamp,” “and it gave her great comfort.” Linda shared that sentiment with the donor who said, “I’m so happy that my lamp is getting joy.” That is exactly what St. Luke’s is.


St. Luke’s shares all that they can because as Linda mentions, “we have very generous people.” St. Luke’s exists as a good reminder of how to pay it forward and assist in the community. “Good people will always share with the less fortunate,” Linda says.


What started off as a simple gesture of giving has really evolved into something more. Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison is grateful for its partnership with St. Luke’s and how they are always there to support residents. The dedication to helping people in their community is admirable, and St. Luke’s holds a special place in our hearts for their service to those in need.

SNAPSHOTS: Events in Edison

We have great things planned for the end of the year holidays as well! Want to keep up-to-date on what's going on at Edison and Mission First's other work? Follow us on social media:

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Support Our Residents

Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison provides permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals and families in Middlesex County. Our on-site support services offer our residents access to the resources they need to increase health, independence and housing stability. When you make a donation to Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison, you are helping to ensure that residents have the supports they need to remain successfully housed, get back on their feet and live as thriving members of the community. Your support means so much! 


Donate online by clicking below or by mail to Melissa Mascolo, Supportive Housing: Edison, c/o Amandla Crossing, 100 Mitch Snyder Drive, Edison, NJ 08837.

DONATE NOW!

Other Ways to Support Our Residents

Do you want to do more than make a donation?

Here are some other great ways for you to help:

  • Help secure a matching gift from your employer.
  • Host a fundraising event and donate the proceeds to Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison.
  • Host an essential items supply drive.
  • Introduce your friends, family and colleagues to Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison and encourage them to give.


Do you have ideas you’d like to discuss? Give us a call! We’d love to work with you. For more information, please contact:

Questions about Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison?

Melissa Mascolo, Director or Program Management - New Jersey

609-373-8550, mmascolo@missionfirsthousing.org