Collaborative Support Programs of NJ

CSPNJ has been busy with #advocacy, creating #art, and sharing our #wellness journeys to grow as a #community!

The State of New Jersey is looking for individuals to share their #housing experiences to better serve populations who currently have unmet needs in their community. The survey can be accessed at https://tinyurl.com/njdca #cspnj #njmentalhealth #peersupport #njhousing #njcommunity #njurbandevelopment #housing #njservices #njhomelessness #mentalhealth

Our team was out on #CapitolHill this week for the National Conference on Ending Homelessness! In response to the #GrantsPassVJohnson Supreme Court decision, we met with NJ representatives to express our concerns for those living unhoused and to advocate for better conditions and accessibility to affordable housing. #cspnj #njmentalhealth #housingnothandcuffs #advocacy #njhousing #njservices #humanrights #njrecovery #mentalhealth #communityoutreach #peersupport

Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey (CSPNJ) strongly denounces the recent decision by the Supreme Court, which permits the increased criminalization of homelessness. This ruling not only exacerbates the challenges faced by our most in need populations but also undermines the fundamental principles of compassion and humanity that our society should uphold. At CSPNJ, we have long been committed to supporting and uplifting individuals experiencing homelessness. Our Wellness Centers across NJ, serve as a critical resource for those in need, offering essential services and support to help them transition to stability and self-sufficiency. The decision by the Supreme Court stands in stark contrast to our mission and threatens to dismantle the progress we have made in assisting the unhoused. This ruling will inevitably lead to more individuals being criminalized for their circumstances rather than being provided with the necessary resources and support to improve their situations. It places an undue burden on our society and further marginalizes those who are already struggling to survive. We call upon local, state, and federal leaders to take immediate action to protect the rights and dignity of unhoused individuals. Now, more than ever, we must stand united in our commitment to social justice and the humane treatment of every member of our community. CSPNJ will continue to advocate for the rights of the unhoused and work tirelessly to provide the support and services they deserve. If you are living unhoused and face any discrimination or unfair treatment/enforcement, please reach out to Pam Baker - Deputy Director of Unhoused Services - at (732) 618-9694, or Heather Simms - Deputy Director of Advocacy Services - at hsimms@cspnj.org for immediate response; or contact one of our Community Wellness Centers for support. All 19 of our centers and contact information are listed at https://lnkd.in/ed-riU8B.

We feel incredibly lucky to have awarded these awesome #peers as the 2024 KOVA Champions at our annual #employee appreciation event yesterday! Each winner was nominated by staff for their dedication, compassion, and recognized value of interdependence in #community growth. Reviewed and selected anonymously, these leaders are well deserving of their recognition. Congratulations Lisa, Vicki, Pam, Kristina, Lasheema, and Kim! Thank you for being KOVA champions everyday. #njmentalhealth #njhiring #njcareers #employeeappreciation #peersupport

Our Deputy Director of Unhoused Services Pamela Baker had the opportunity to join the City of Newark's team in showing the @US Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) the great efforts that are in place at Newark Penn Station in #collaboration with NJ TRANSIT Police and other local partners to end #homelessness in NJ.

We are so honored to announce that our COO Anne Smullen Thieling MS MA LPC LCADC ACS CPRP NCC has been honored with the 2024 American Business Awards Silver The Stevie® Awards as Thought Leader of the Year for Government and Non-Profits! This award is granted to exceptional #leaders who break barriers in collaboration in the #nonprofit world for the betterment of services provided to the community. Anne's leadership, innovation and passion for peer work was nominated and compared with more than 300 individuals globally for this award. Her contributions to #CSPNJ and the larger space of peer support services are invaluable, and her achievement is very well deserved. Congratulations Anne! #americanbusinessawards #njmentalhealth #njservices #njachievements #leadership

This month, we amplified our #collaboration in the #peersupport setting!

Our first #PeerServices Summit aimed to highlight the key components that we practice in our everyday lives, with a day filled of brainstorming and exploring the principles of #peersupport. We discussed #personfirst language, #harmreduction, #housingfirst, #advocacy and marketing & outreach approaches in peer support. We also had the opportunity to announce our development of the Mobile Crisis Outreach Response Team (#MCORT) services for Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex and Union Counties.

#peerledservices are the forefront of effective and empowering #mentalhealth and wellness recovery!