The Beloved Project has rescheduled its Project Restart event – planned by the nonprofit as a resource fair for the unhoused and underserved communities it serves – to Oct. 4.
The Beloved Project, based in the state, provides those it serves with necessary essential personal items and resources. It believes that dealing with physical needs is the most important part of its mission, because people who are hungry, cold and unclean can’t grow in the areas of education, career or social life.
The Beloved Project works with the Food Bank of New Jersey and partners with community organizations such as local homeless shelters, kitchens, motels and police departments to distribute hygiene products to those in need. Donations it receives include products like toothpaste and toothbrushes, deodorant, hand sanitizer, socks, washcloths, sanitary napkins, body wash and wipes.
”Project Restart is a resource fair that brings county and local agencies together in one place,” explained Claudine Archer, The Beloved Project’s CEO and founder.
The event encourages people to take advantage of available resources, while The Beloved Project can assist with legal issues including expungements, immigration, bankruptcy, surcharges and warrants. It can also help with issues like Medicare and life insurance and support groups for anxiety and depression.
“Many people struggle to get to many agencies due to lack of transportation,” Archer said, adding that many of them don’t even know where to turn for help.
Other organizations that will offer resources at the fair include the Burlington County Library System, which will provide training on computer and GED systems, and America Works for New Jersey, which can teach people about career skills. Project Restart will also have resources in the areas of drug addiction and overdoses, parenting and mental health and addiction services.
“I just wanted to be a helping hand to some,” Archer noted of The Beloved Project.
“Once a month we travel to a different location giving those in need the opportunity to apply for services and receive information they would not receive all in one day.”
Project Restart hours are 10 a.m to 2 p.m. at 4002 Route 130, Millside Plaza in Delran. The original date of Sept. 6 was rescheduled due to the weather.