Freeholders must address, resolve plight of homeless men

It is obvious that the general public is interested in providing adequate shelters, as evidenced by the articles in the newspapers proclaiming this need. I recently read that Woodbridge is planning to upgrade its shelter to the tune of $750,000 and that the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders has granted $500,000 to Old Bridge toward its shelter. Considering how much effort and money is being given to provide comfortable housing for stray dogs and cats, I would expect at least the same concern for homeless men.

I would like to see a similar interest expressed in the newspapers regarding homeless men's need for shelter. Perhaps pictures showing men of all ages sleeping in fields, behind bushes, will stir the public to demand that our county government do something to correct this terrible situation. Can you imagine a human being left out in the freezing cold and rain with no place for shelter? That is what is being done in Middlesex County. More attention and money are spent on pet shelters than are spent on homeless men. Why? As long as there is one man left out in the cold, it is evidence that the homeless-shelter program is a failure and should be attended to.

Of the approximately 450 homeless men, only approximately 40 men are housed, year-round, in the New Brunswick Ozanam Inn, which is run by Catholic Charities. The men are allowed in at 4:40 p.m. and are obliged to leave at 7:30 a.m. During the winter months, from December to the middle of March, the New Brunswick Interfaith Emergency Men's Shelter takes in 16 homeless men. The following participate in the program: St. Peter's, First Reformed, Anshe Emeth, United Methodist, Sacred Heart, Presbyterian and Christ Church. They provide a large room capable of holding 16 folding cots with pillows, sheets and blankets. Men are allowed in at 7 p.m. and must leave at 7 a.m. I wonder what the other 375 men are doing during the winter months.

Mayor John McCormac of Woodbridge said, "The condition of the current pet shelter isn't humane." I say the present homeless-men's program isn't humane and should be attended to, right now. The county freeholders should take a serious look at the problem and provide a long-range intelligent solution. The worst thing they could do is to sidestep the issue.

Frank Coury

East Brunswick