Editor’s Note: This week, Livingston Philanthropies Inc. (LPI) founder and director Jeff “The Coat Guy” Friedman, describes, in his own words, the work LPI does with the New Jersey Re-entry Corporation.
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By Jeff Friedman
In what may be the beginning of another Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI) initiative, I was contacted by Jennifer Pena, Newark Site Director, at the New Jersey Re-entry Corporation (NJRC). Her colleague, Dawn Bennett, a caseworker at NJRC, was concerned about a new client and suggested she ask LPI for assistance.
The New Jersey Reentry Corporation (NJRC) is a non-profit agency with a social mission to remove all barriers to employment for citizens returning from incarceration. NJRC’s professionals provide a full range of social, educational, mental health and computer training programs with the desired outcome of preparing for interviews and ultimately jobs for its clients.
LPI has provided toiletries, men’s suits, holiday gifts and warm coats to NJRC locations in Newark and Elizabeth in the past. Made possible by generous Livingston residents, as usual.
Pena, a woman who is clearly dedicated to her profession, wrote, “I have a client that does not have a coat, regular clothing or body essentials. Do you have anything that you can spare for this client?”
LPI had a combination of “stock” on hand and the modest funding available to immediately respond to this special request. Along with a top-quality down coat, recently donated by a Livingston resident who is now a volunteer, multiple toiletries and thermal gloves on hand in “Coat Drive Central” (my garage), Livingston volunteers were able to go “personal shopping for the homeless” to create an instant and personal care package for “Lorne.” His personal gift bag also included new underwear, tee shirts, sweat pants and shirt (all purchased at a deep discount from a local chain store).
Livingston Philanthropies is a supporter of prisoner re-entry programs and was thrilled to create our very first personal gift bag to fulfill the immediate needs of a young man attempting to better himself. Despite all the services available through the re-entry program, it would be impossible for Lorne to attempt job interviews without appropriate personal hygiene products and fresh, clean clothing.
LPI salutes NJRC and its Newark site for the essential work on behalf of the “poor, homeless and disenfranchised.” In this case, former offenders, way down on their potential.
Regular Tribune readers know that Livingston Philanthropies became an official non-profit corporation last spring. We now ...
