Michael Swayze's Community Resources

Category: Community Resources

  • Fugitive Safe Surrender – November 3-6, 2010

    Wanted By The Law? – Fugitive Safe Surrender – November 3 – November 6, 2010

    For four days in November fugitives in New Jersey will be able to stop running and start to get their lives back on track. The Fugitive Safe Surrender program enables individuals with warrants and other non-violent felonies to peacefully surrender at a neutral setting. It is open to US citizens and legal residents only. It will be held Wednesday, November 3 through Saturday, November 6, 2010 at First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens, 771 Somerset Street, in Somerset, New Jersey. It is open to anyone with a New Jersey warrant regardless of where in the state they live. Program officials indicate it is not an amnesty program although favorable treatment is given and cases can typically result in probation or reduced fines.

    According to the Fugitive Safe Surrender website, about 98 percent of those who turn themselves in are not taken into custody. However, fugitives with warrants for violent crimes are more likely to be taken into custody. Lawyers will be present and available to provide legal assistance. Representatives from social service agencies will be present to provide information on social services, such as employment, health care, housing, drug rehabilitation, etc.

    Reverend DeForest Soaries, Jr., pastor of the hosting church, First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens , recently stated, “We are opening our church to Fugitive Safe Surrender because we believe in the benefits of offering a second chance to those who have broken the law. By taking this big step, people who live in hiding today can find peace of mind, freedom within the law, and the opportunity to take on new responsibility for themselves and their families.” Approximately 2500 are expected to take advantage of this year’s event. Prior events in Camden in 2008 and in Newark in 2009 allowed over 6000 fugitives to clear their warrants.

    Fugitive Safe Surrender posters are available for community distribution in both English and Spanish.

    For more information, call 732-828-2009 or visit www.fssnj.com. The surrender site, First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens, will be open 9am to 4pm, November 3 through November 6.

  • New Jersey Veterans Resource Manual Published

    The New Jersey chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, NASW-NJ, has published a “New Jersey Veterans Resource Manual for Social Workers”. It reads well and is a comprehensive guide for a veteran or their family members. Social workers should bookmark the guide.

    In the 23 page guide are links to many agencies, programs, and services. You will find resources for service members and their family, support for families during military separation, information for those transitioning out of the military, addresses of veteran offices, clinic, and family assistance centers. Many other supportive services are listed as well.

    You will find this valuable resource manual on the NASW-NJ homepage or by going to their page at http://www.naswnj.org/associations/5560/files/VetsManual-FINAL-%2008-2010.pdf . To the authors, yes this guide does make the process simpler so our clients can be connected to the services they deserve. Thanks.

  • Join NJ 2-1-1 ProNet Email Listserv – Connecting Human Service Professionals

    Formerly known as the First Call Forum, NJ 2-1-1 ProNet is an e-mail listserv designed to foster communication between health and human service professionals in New Jersey. Any provider of human services in the state is welcome to become an active member of the listserv. Once you’ve registered you will have a free and easy channel of communication that will offer easy access to other ProNet members.

    By using NJ 2-1-1 ProNet, you can communicate specific requests that are not being met by existing agencies and programs.

    For example:
    •A family, displaced after a fire, needs beds, a refrigerator, and other household items.
    •A single man without family nearby needs transportation to chemotherapy treatments for 6 weeks.
    •A mother from out-of-state needs a place to stay during her daughter’s lengthy hospitalization in Morristown.

    NJ 2-1-1 ProNet can also be used to post announcements of:
    •Donation offerings (clothing, furniture, etc.)
    •Program expansions, changes, closings or hiatuses
    •Workshops, seminars, special programs
    •Agency/organization job postings

    NJ 2-1-1 ProNet provides simple access to professionals throughout the state who you can communicate with to find solutions for specific requests that are not being met by existing agencies. Use it as well as a forum to post announcements about programs, workshops and employment opportunities.

    You can find the this email listserv at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NJ2-1-1ProNet/. It is simple to share your thoughts, queries or announcements with the group. To join NJ 2-1-1 ProNet members of nonprofits, health organizations, or human service organizations can send an email to: ProNet@nj211.org. Include your name, organization, and telephone number. To subscribe via Yahoo Groups send an email to:
    NJ2-1-1ProNet-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Once subscribed you can post messages at NJ2-1-1ProNet@yahoogroups.com.

    Feel free to share this message with other colleagues who would benefit from a connection with the 2-1-1 community.