Leveraging Community Partnership with Executive Community Stakeholders Initiatives for 2024.
On Wednesday, April 10, the Housing Authority of Plainfield (HAP) and Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church held a roundtable discussion with executive community leaders addressing solutions for homelessness prevention. The event, titled, “Leveraging Community Partnership with Executive Community Stakeholders Initiatives for 2024” was co-hosted by HAP’s Joanne Hollis Gardens (JHG) Community Resource Center and served as a community behavioral health platform for crisis management through educational awareness.
Key moderators and panelists included:
Distinguished Guest and the Honored Team: The Briar Patch Collaboratory Executive Director Alexis Jemal, LCSW, LCADC, MA, JD, PhD
Coldwell Banker Westfield East Broker Sales Associate Heidi Ann Mucci
HAP’s JHG Community Resource Center Director of Community Programs Eric Graham, PHM and Deputy Director Scotty McFarland
Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church Reverend Lynn Santulli
Neighborhood Health Corporation Outreach Manager Laron Atins
The Mental Health Association in New Jersey New Jersey Mental Health Players Director Lynette Sheard
The Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless Executive Director Linda Flores-Tober
Families & Community Together (FACT) Chief Executive Officer Anthony Cameli
Union County Prosecutor’s Office The Honorable William A. Daniel and Community Prosecution Division Director & ARRIVE Program Director Gina Iosim
Plainfield School District Board of Commissioners President Hanae M. Wyatt
HAP Executive Director Randall M. Wood stated, “The quality of life for families and children of Union County has been improved drastically as a result of this initiative, and it’s the efficient collaboration of community leaders that has made it possible.”
JHG Community Resource Center Director of Community Programs Eric Graham, PHM said, “The Leveraging of Community Stakeholders Initiative meetings are all-inclusive with an approach of obtaining wraparound services for the entire family through results-driven communication and community partners to decrease the duplication of services and make a significant impact to all residents.”
The Leveraging of Community Partnership with Leaders of Stakeholders Initiative was created in 2009 by Eric Graham at the Housing Authority of Plainfield and remains in an upbeat effect, has been a strong all-inclusive tool with the community affiliates in engaging various executive
partners to build an impactful relationship that has worked for many years.
Since the initiative’s inception, the quality of of life for many families and children in and around Union County has been improved through these results-driven wraparound services which includes: education awareness for realistic resources and sustainability that has provided advocacy for homelessness crisis prevention, team building, cultural diversity, gender transparency, behavioral health, dual addiction treatment, youth empowerment, employment opportunities, senior services, and transformational change through its efficient community collaboration of leaders.
For more information about HAP’s Joanne Hollis Gardens Community Resource Center, contact Eric Graham at 908-769-6335 extension 604.
About the Housing Authority of Plainfield
The Housing Authority of Plainfield continues to develop resources to enhance Plainfield’s low and moderate income and senior communities, by collaborating with its network of community service providers and other public agencies to better serve the community under the Affordable Housing Federal, State, and local housing initiatives, and to enhance home ownership opportunities for income eligible residents. HAP collaborates with residents and public, non-profit, and private entities to create viable, healthy communities and to empower residents to achieve financial independence. HAP achieves the above while maintaining strong internal controls, and developing and maintaining a strong culture of mutual respect, fiscal responsibility, and ethical behavior by its employees, residents, and other key stakeholders.