By 2019, the Salem County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and Department of Health and Human Services intervened to offer governmental support to the Code Blue Initiative. Since its inception, Code Blue in Salem County has served over 20-25 unhoused individuals each year.  Unfortunately, we anticipate this number to rise in response to the increase in the unhoused population in the aftermath of Covid-19. 

The unhoused individuals seeking shelter at our “Warming Center” are grateful to have a hot meal and a warm place to sleep.  During Covid-19, we faced remarkable challenges in being able to secure a “Warming Center” for the unhoused population.  Although there was still a need, the unhoused population were scattered throughout the county – even transported to other counties. Code Blue still felt a responsibility to our community and the board met to determine how we could help. By reaching out to our resources, Code Blue was still able to collect donations of toiletries and non-perishable food items.  Our board gathered to prepare care packages and hygiene kits, dropped them off to the police who delivered these items to unhoused people who had been placed in hotels by the OEM.

This season, we have an opportunity to restart and provide our guests with a central place for a “Warming Center.”  Our three-year plan is to secure a long-term transition center to provide additional resources, support, and housing.  With no other programs in Salem County, we have been mandated to serve the “unhoused” population.