The recent “Walk in the Shoes” event, organized by Ocean’s Harbor House, took place along the Asbury Park boardwalk. This annual event aims to raise awareness about youth homelessness and its enduring effects. Ocean’s Harbor House, a non-profit organization based in Toms River, uses this platform to advance its mission of supporting young individuals and families in need.
This year, the FirstEnergy Foundation contributed an $8,000 grant to support this cause. Doug Mokoid, President of FirstEnergy New Jersey, emphasized the importance of such initiatives: “Uplifting our communities and providing opportunities to those most in need builds a brighter tomorrow. Programs like Ocean’s Harbor House are the shining beacons that strengthen our communities and make New Jersey the great state it is.”
Ocean’s Harbor House operates the SHORE House supervised transitional living program (STLP), which offers homeless teens aged 16-21 a safe living environment along with access to medical and mental health services as well as educational and vocational resources.
Donna Carlson, Development Associate for Ocean’s Harbor House, expressed gratitude for the collaboration with FirstEnergy Foundation: “Their commitment to improving the quality of life in our community aligns perfectly with our mission to empower homeless youth.”
Since 2019, FirstEnergy Foundation has donated $15,000 to support Ocean’s Harbor House. This ongoing partnership highlights their dedication to creating long-term solutions for vulnerable young people.
Community participation in events like “Walk in the Shoes” not only raises awareness but also helps provide necessary resources for these youths as they face homelessness challenges. Such programs are crucial for helping them build hopeful futures.
For more information on FirstEnergy Foundation’s community efforts, visit firstenergycorp.com/community.
