Recognizing that families are struggling to meet their most basic needs and experiencing food insecurity, which can contribute to stress, anxiety and depression, SERV Centers of New Jersey, Inc. led this project to provide direct assistance to residents in Hudson, Passaic and Union counties. Identifying an increase in agency referrals and calls from families seeking mental health supports in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, SERV Centers shifted their work to provide telehealth services. SERV Centers also distributed gift cards to help residents in need cover emergency household expenses and purchase healthy food and medication. SERV Centers has advanced existing efforts to address the needs of vulnerable households in the state through this project, which could inform an equitable recovery throughout New Jersey.

In March 2021, approximately one year after the onset of the pandemic, SERV Centers of New Jersey, Inc. Senior Vice President of Development and Marketing Carolyn Mayo reflected on the impact of this work. Scroll down to read her blog post.