HELPING HUDSON'S HOMELESS

By Will Connor

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Last week the cold crept in overnight, dropping a full twenty degrees. For those without heat, it must have been a cold week. For those without homes it must be hell. Due to rampant development and a rising cost of living, Hudson County's homeless population has grown in the past few years. While a solid statistic is difficult to obtain, officials agree that it is an ever-increasing problem. Without immediate action, the death rate for the homeless residents in our neighborhoods could rise to an unprecedented level.

As a result of dwindling support from governmental agencies, and an all-time low for interest in public support programs, local groups and individuals have had to kick in support for the homeless, in the form of blanket drives and benefit concerts. One such benefit, MusicFest for the Homeless, aims to provide both monetary support and warmth.

"It serves a dual purpose -- to showcase Jersey City's talented residents and help the community while we do it," said Dale Hardman, the founder of BrightMoment Meetup and organizer of the event. “We simply produce cultural events which provide outreach to the community and benefit a group or charity.” All proceeds from MusicFest will go to the Hudson Alliance to End Homelessness in Hudson County.

The talent involved in MusicFest are no less concerned by the homeless situation. Christine Santelli, an award-winning blues singer and 15-year Jersey City resident, has become concerned with the increasing homelessness here, and is proud to do her part to help such a worthy cause. “The event is a great opportunity for the arts and the community to come together and help people in need,” she said.

"We could very well become a more passionate society overall and say 'to the devil with profitability, we need to care for our brothers and sisters,'" noted Ed Saultz of the Irish ensemble Liscune, who is performing solo at MusicFest. "(But) it's all about money, and we're the only ones who can change this.”      
SEE ALSO:
Common Goals, Uncommon Tones

ON THE WEB:
MusicFest for the Homeless

Comments

[Dale Hardman & BrightMoment Meetup]

Bright Moments, Will!

Thanks for addressing the unfortunate fact of what "MusicFest for the Homeless" is about: providing blankets and monies to help alleviate what should not be happening in this day and age, but the sad fact is over 3,000+ remain homeless on any given night in Jersey City and Hudson County.

The Hudson Alliance to End Homelessness in Hudson County was formed for just this purpose of co-ordinating diverse groups from different governmental, public and private sectors, interdenominational groups, neighborhood associations, non profits, the city, county, state and even federal outreach together with business and finally each of us in our own way finding a way to help the homeless.

Christine and Ed are doing what they can this Wednesday, along with the other fine musicians, performers by providing some great music and dance, amdist art, a beautiful space who together with each of you reading this can make a choice to do something to help the homeless.

Bring a blanket plus $10 bucks or $20 without a blanket and if you can afford more, then donate that too. And if any of you reading this can volunteer, contribute food for the evening or beverages for the artists, or even want to sell food/beverages or donate raffle prizes,give me a call.

But choose to do something and thank you again Will and to Jon, the publisher of City Belt for being a sponsor of MusicFest for the Homeless.

"Memory is a political act. Forgetting is the handmaiden of terrorism"---The Nation
(The Bush Crusade)