A Sacred Network of Mutual Aid
New Jersey
Resources & Refuge
"You are not alone. Whatever has brought you here, there is help across the Garden State — from Newark to the Shore to the Delaware. Shelter, food, healing, and hands ready to hold yours. Begin wherever you need to."
Immediate Help in New Jersey
Find Help Now
Real, currently operating resources across New Jersey. Choose a path below — each holds verified shelters, programs, and organizations ready to help today.
The Sanctuary
Emergency shelter and a safe place to rest across New Jersey.
Rescue Mission of Trenton
City: Trenton
Services: Mercer County's only emergency shelter — 24/7 beds, three meals a day, clothing, case management, and addiction treatment at Vince's Place
Notes: Houses 77 nightly, more than doubling to 164 in the winter emergency period. Get in line by 4pm for a bed.
Covenant House New Jersey
City: Newark & Atlantic City
Services: Shelter, crisis care, and services for homeless, abused, and runaway youth ages 18–21, including survivors of trafficking
Notes: A safe door for young people. Atlantic City: 609-348-4070.
Website: covenanthousenj.org
The Apostles' House
City: Newark
Services: Emergency shelter and social services for homeless women and children, plus job training and family support
Notes: A long-standing Essex County provider focused on families. Reach them through 211 or coordinated entry.
Phone: Dial 211 for intake
The Hoboken Shelter
City: Hoboken (Hudson County)
Services: Emergency shelter, daily meals, and supportive services for the Hudson County area
Notes: Provides beds, food, and case management toward stable housing.
Website: hobokenshelter.org
Joseph's House of Camden
City: Camden
Services: Emergency overnight shelter and a daytime welcome center with meals, hygiene, and housing support
Notes: A central low-barrier resource in South Jersey.
Website: josephshouseofcamden.org
NJ 211 & Coordinated Entry
City: Statewide
Services: The front door to shelter and homeless services in New Jersey, 24/7, in many languages
Notes: Dial 211 (or 877-652-1148). Your County Board of Social Services is also a key access point for emergency shelter.
Phone: Dial 211
Website: nj211.org
No safe place tonight? Dial 211 any time. When temperatures drop, NJ counties declare "Code Blue" and open warming centers — 211 has the current locations.
Bread of Life
Food banks, pantries, and meals across New Jersey.
Community FoodBank of New Jersey
City: Statewide (Hillside & Egg Harbor)
Services: New Jersey's largest anti-hunger organization, supplying a statewide network of pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters
Notes: Southern Branch (Egg Harbor): 609-383-8843. Use the website to find a partner pantry near you.
Website: cfbnj.org
Meals at the Mission
City: Trenton
Services: Daily meals served at the Rescue Mission of Trenton, plus a weekend soup kitchen
Notes: Open to those in need. See The Sanctuary for details.
Phone: 609-695-1436
Address: 98 Carroll St, Trenton, NJ 08609
NJ SNAP (Food Stamps)
City: Statewide
Services: Monthly benefits to buy groceries — the most reliable, ongoing food help available
Notes: Apply at mynjhelps.gov or call 1-800-687-9512. See The Providence for details.
Phone: 1-800-687-9512
Website: njhelps.gov
NJ 211 — Food Finder
City: Statewide
Services: Free help locating the nearest food pantry, soup kitchen, or meal program
Notes: Dial 211 or 877-652-1148, any time, in many languages.
Phone: Dial 211
SNAP stretches further than any pantry — see The Providence to apply, and you can use a shelter or county agency as your address. Being homeless does not disqualify you.
The Healing Hand
Free and low-cost clinics, behavioral health, and care for people without stable housing.
Federally Qualified Health Centers
City: Statewide
Services: Sliding-scale medical, dental, and behavioral health care regardless of insurance or ability to pay
Notes: Includes Newark Community Health Centers, Henry J. Austin (Trenton), Project HOPE (Camden), and AtlantiCare (Atlantic City). Dial 211 to find one.
Phone: Dial 211
NJ FamilyCare / Medicaid
City: Statewide
Services: Free or low-cost health coverage for doctor visits, prescriptions, dental, vision, mental health, and substance-use care
Notes: Cover All Kids insures all income-eligible children under 19, regardless of immigration status.
Phone: 1-800-701-0710
Website: njfamilycare.org
Project HOPE
City: Camden
Services: A community health center with a mobile medical unit serving people experiencing homelessness in South Jersey
Notes: Brings primary care directly to shelters and the street.
Website: projecthopecamden.org
GetCovered NJ
City: Statewide
Services: The state health-insurance marketplace, with financial help to lower the cost of coverage
Notes: If you don't qualify for NJ FamilyCare, you may still find affordable coverage here.
Phone: 1-833-677-1010
Website: nj.gov/getcoverednj
For a mental-health or substance-use crisis, call or text 988 anytime — free, confidential, 24/7.
The Haven
Safe places to shelter from extreme weather, plus guidance on camping in New Jersey.
Code Blue Warming Centers
City: Statewide (winter)
Services: Emergency warming centers that open whenever a county declares a "Code Blue" cold-weather alert
Notes: By New Jersey law, counties must provide warming shelter during dangerous cold. Dial 211 for the nearest open Code Blue site.
Phone: Dial 211 (24/7)
Cooling Centers
City: Statewide (summer)
Services: Air-conditioned public spaces opened during dangerous summer heat
Notes: Libraries, senior centers, and malls often serve as cooling centers. Dial 211 for locations during heat waves.
Phone: Dial 211
Outreach & Camping — Know the Law
City: Statewide
Services: Street outreach teams and guidance on where it is and isn't legal to sleep outdoors
Notes: Rules vary by town, and after Grants Pass v. Johnson (2024), bans may be enforced. County outreach can connect you to shelter — ask via 211.
Phone: Dial 211
New Jersey weather turns dangerous in both winter and summer. If you have nowhere safe to go, call 211 — they'll direct you to the nearest Code Blue warming center or cooling site.
Living Waters
Showers, hygiene, and day-service access through shelters and welcome centers.
Joseph's House — Welcome Center
City: Camden
Services: A daytime welcome center with hygiene access, meals, and connection to housing services
Notes: A safe daytime space alongside the overnight shelter.
Website: josephshouseofcamden.org
Rescue Mission of Trenton
City: Trenton
Services: Showers, clothing, personal-care items, and hygiene access alongside the shelter and meals
Notes: Free clothing and personal-care supplies for shelter guests and referrals.
Phone: 609-695-1436
Address: 98 Carroll St, Trenton, NJ 08609
Day Centers & Drop-Ins
City: Statewide
Services: Showers, restrooms, and hygiene supplies through shelters and day programs in many NJ communities
Notes: Availability varies by town. Dial 211 for the nearest open day services.
Phone: Dial 211
Hygiene and day-service access shifts by site and season. 211 keeps the most current list of open centers near you.
The Guardian
Free civil legal aid — your rights around housing, eviction, benefits, and safety.
Legal Services of New Jersey
City: Statewide
Services: Free civil legal help — eviction, housing, public benefits, consumer, and family matters — through one statewide hotline
Notes: Call the LSNJ-LAW hotline or apply online. They route you to your regional legal-aid office.
Phone: 1-888-576-5529
Website: lsnjlaw.org
Essex-Newark Legal Services
City: Newark / Essex County
Services: Free civil legal aid for Essex County residents — housing, benefits, and family law
Notes: The regional LSNJ office for the Newark area.
Phone: 973-624-4500
South Jersey Legal Services
City: South Jersey
Services: Free civil legal aid across Atlantic, Camden, Burlington, and surrounding counties
Notes: Centralized intake handles eviction, benefits, and consumer cases.
Phone: 1-800-496-4570
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice
City: Newark / statewide
Services: Free legal help with housing and eviction, expungements, and support for survivors of trafficking
Notes: Connects you with volunteer attorneys for civil matters.
Phone: 973-645-1955
Website: vljnj.org
Facing eviction? New Jersey's Anti-Eviction Act protects you — a landlord needs "good cause" and a court order. Call LSNJ-LAW the day you get court papers.
The Providence
Government benefits — food, health coverage, cash assistance, and emergency housing aid.
NJHelps / MyNJHelps
City: Statewide
Services: One online portal to screen and apply for SNAP (food), WorkFirst NJ cash assistance, and NJ FamilyCare
Notes: No permanent address required — you can use a shelter or county agency. Applications are accepted the same day and processed within 30 days.
Website: njhelps.gov
WorkFirst NJ — Emergency Assistance
City: Statewide
Services: Same-day emergency help with rent, utilities, and motel or shelter placement for those facing a housing crisis
Notes: If you appear eligible, you must receive same-day emergency aid. Apply at your County Board of Social Services or call 1-800-792-9773.
Phone: 1-800-792-9773
Social Security Administration
City: Statewide
Services: SSI and SSDI disability benefits, retirement, and survivor benefits
Notes: You can apply without a permanent address. Ask about expedited SSI if you're homeless.
Phone: 1-800-772-1213
Website: ssa.gov
New Jersey 211
City: Statewide
Services: Free, confidential help finding any benefit, program, or service in New Jersey, 24/7
Notes: Dial 211 or 877-652-1148. Also connects to LIHEAP energy assistance and rental help.
Phone: Dial 211
If your benefits or Emergency Assistance are denied or wrongly cut, Legal Services of NJ (1-888-576-5529) can help you appeal for free.
The Shepherd
Faith-based and community organizations offering food, shelter, and warm support.
Catholic Charities of New Jersey
City: Statewide (diocesan)
Services: Emergency assistance, food, housing, counseling, and addiction services through each diocese
Notes: Serving people of all faiths across the Trenton, Newark, Camden, Metuchen, and Paterson dioceses.
Website: Find your diocese via 211
The Salvation Army
City: Statewide
Services: Shelter, food pantries, meals, emergency financial help, and seasonal assistance
Notes: Local corps across New Jersey. Find the nearest through 211.
Website: salvationarmyusa.org
Rescue Mission of Trenton
City: Trenton
Services: Faith-rooted shelter, meals, recovery, and supportive housing for the capital region
Notes: See The Sanctuary for details. All in need are welcome.
Phone: 609-695-1436
Website: rescuemissionoftrenton.org
Jewish Family Service
City: Atlantic & statewide chapters
Services: Counseling, supportive housing, older-adult services, and on-site food pantries
Notes: Serves everyone regardless of background. Atlantic: 609-822-1108.
Website: jfsatlantic.org
Many New Jersey congregations quietly help neighbors beyond what's listed here. If you have a home community, ask — and 211 can connect you to faith-based aid near you.
Know Where You Stand
New Jersey Rights & Laws
A plain-language look at the laws that affect people experiencing homelessness in New Jersey.
Code Blue: Warmth in the Cold
New Jersey's Code Blue law requires counties to issue cold-weather alerts and open warming centers when temperatures (with wind chill) drop to dangerous levels.
During a Code Blue, no one should be turned away into the cold. Warming centers may waive the usual barriers to entry.
Dial 211 to find out if a Code Blue is in effect and where the nearest warming center is tonight.
Same-Day Emergency Assistance
If you face a housing emergency, New Jersey's WorkFirst NJ program offers Emergency Assistance (EA) — and you must receive same-day aid if you appear eligible.
- Can cover rent, utilities, or motel/shelter placement
- Apply at your County Board of Social Services
- All applications must be accepted the day you apply
- Call WorkFirst NJ at 1-800-792-9773
Strong Eviction Protections
New Jersey's Anti-Eviction Act is one of the strongest tenant-protection laws in the country. A landlord must have "good cause" and a court order to evict you.
Lockouts and utility shut-offs to force you out are illegal. You have the right to notice and a hearing.
Free help is available from Legal Services of NJ (1-888-576-5529). Don't ignore court papers.
Food & Benefits Without an Address
You do not need a permanent address to get SNAP or NJ FamilyCare. You can use a shelter or county agency.
- Applications accepted the same day, processed within 30 days
- Homeless applicants may qualify for expedited SNAP
- Cover All Kids insures children regardless of immigration status
- Apply at mynjhelps.gov or call 1-800-687-9512
Across the Garden State
Help by Region
Resources reach across New Jersey. Here's where to start in some of the larger communities.
Newark & Essex
Essex County
The Apostles' House, Covenant House, Newark Community Health Centers, Essex-Newark Legal Services, and the Essex County Family Justice Center.
Start: Essex-Newark Legal Services 973-624-4500 or dial 211.
Jersey City & Hudson
Hudson County
The Hoboken Shelter, Garden State Episcopal CDC, and Palisades Emergency Residence Corp (Union City) serve the Hudson waterfront.
Start: Dial 211 for Hudson County shelter and services.
Trenton & Mercer
Mercer County
The Rescue Mission of Trenton anchors shelter, meals, and recovery, alongside Henry J. Austin Health Center and Mercer County services.
Start: Rescue Mission of Trenton 609-695-1436 or dial 211.
Camden & South Jersey
Camden County
Joseph's House, Cathedral Kitchen, Project HOPE, and South Jersey Legal Services serve the southern region.
Start: Dial 211 or South Jersey Legal Services 1-800-496-4570.
Atlantic City & the Shore
Atlantic & Monmouth-Ocean
Covenant House (AC), Jewish Family Service, AtlantiCare, the CFBNJ Southern Branch, and Fulfill (Monmouth-Ocean).
Start: Dial 211 for shore-area resources.
Statewide Lifelines
All 21 Counties
NJ 211, NJHelps for benefits, Legal Services of NJ, and the Community FoodBank of NJ reach every corner of the state.
Start: Dial 211 — it covers every New Jersey ZIP code.
Pathways Forward
New Jersey Programs
Larger initiatives that move people from crisis toward stable housing.
Coordinated Entry & County Boards of Social Services
Through: Each county's Continuum of Care
Helps with: A single assessment that prioritizes you for shelter and housing, plus emergency assistance through your county board.
Start: Dial 211, or visit your County Board of Social Services.
Homelessness Prevention & Rapid Re-Housing
Through: NJ DCA Office of Homelessness Prevention
Helps with: Up to several months of rental help to prevent eviction, plus rapid re-housing for those on the street or in shelter.
Start: Dial 211 or ask your county prevention provider about HPRP.
State Rental Assistance & Housing Vouchers
Through: NJ DCA & local housing authorities
Helps with: The State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP) and Section 8 vouchers that make rent affordable.
Start: Search NJHousingResourceCenter.org or dial 211.
Find Help Near You
Resource Map
An interactive map of New Jersey resources is on its way as the Network grows.
Interactive Map — Coming Soon
Soon this map will plot shelters, food, clinics, hygiene sites, and warming centers near your location across New Jersey.
Until then, dial 211 anytime for live, location-based help — or choose a city to be pointed in the right direction.
The Network Grows
Angel Outreach in New Jersey
Beyond these public resources, the Angel Network is preparing its own offerings for people in need across New Jersey.
Angel Offerings — Gathering
As angels gather and The Chalice fills, Hope & Grace will extend direct blessings, partner outreach, and community support to souls right here in New Jersey.
These offerings will appear here as the Network grows. If you are in need today, please request a blessing — and lean on the verified resources above in the meantime.
You Are Not Alone
However You Arrived Here
Whether you need shelter tonight or hope to one day become an angel for someone else — there is a place for you in this Network.