HELPING HUDSON'S HOMELESS
By Will Connor
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.”
