4 THE BEACON ft JANUARY 9, 2014 AROUND OUR DIOCESE cathol icbeacon@patefsondiocese.or)

OPERATION CHILLOUTBy CECILE SAN AGUSTINReporter

PATERSON — As a severe cold wave notseen in years hits the area, conditions canbe especially harsh for many who have noplace to live. A significant population ofthose who are homeless includes veterans.At diocesan Catholic Charities' CatholicFamily and Community Services (CFCS) incollaboration with Catholic Charities ofNewark, its Supportive Services for VeteranFamilies (SSVF) program, which is in forcein seven N.J. counties, helps these veter-ans in their time of need.

Six offices are access sites (see list) forbackpacks provided by Operation Chillout,a grassroots interfaith coalition founded in2000 by concerned volunteers to help agroup of Vietnam veterans living under arailroad trestle in northern NJ.

The backpacks include warm winterclothing such as sweatshirts, knit caps, socksand gloves as well as travel size toiletries.Operation Chillout has packed 650 of thesebags and already delivered more than halfof diem to homeless veterans and odier per-sons living on the streets in Dover, Newton,Morristown, Paterson, Passaic, Hackensackand Newark during December with deliv-eries expected until February in several N. J.counties and three counties in Pennsylvania.

"As we go through the winter, we will behere to help all diose on the streets, espe-

cially veterans. We continuously get so manycalls reaching out to us," said Deacon RayChimileski of St Luke Parish in Long Valley,where Operation Chillout is headquartered.

According to Operation Chillout, 7,000military veterans in NJ. are in need of

"It's such an honor to giveback to the people who have

given everything for thiscountry and give us the

freedom we have."DAVID PEARSON, OUTREACH COORDINATOR,

SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VETERAN FAMILIES

housing, medical and employment assis-tance. A mission for Operation Chillout isalso to help break the cycle of chronichomelessness not only during the wintermonths but also all year long. DeaconChimileski said, "We hope to venture outfurther and assist people with job training.It can be very easy to get depressed andbe trapped on the street once somebody isthere. We are here to offer hope."

Deacon Chimileski recalled a group ofhomeless people living near River Street inPaterson. "When we started this project,there were a group of 20 people living nearthe river. Now, there are eight people. Somegot jobs. Some returned home to their fam-

Catholic Charities agency reaches out toveterans during brutally cold winter daysilies. I consider this a small success and al-so thank the Franciscan Friars of Renewalwho also minister there as well," saidDeacon Chimileski.

Since October, when the veterans pro-gram launched at CFCS, 40 families havebeen helped said David Pearson, outreachcoordinator for SSVF.

"Many of the vets served during theKorean War or Vietnam. We've even hada 91-year-old vet, who served in World Warn seek our assistance," said Pearson. "Therehas also been more and more vets coininghome from the Iraq and Afghanistan warsalso in need."

In addition to providing die OperationChillout backpacks, SSVF helps with rentalassistance and moving costs, utility payments,childcare expenses, transportation costs andmore. There will also be a Veteran ServiceProviders Stakeholder Action Meeting from1:30 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30 at theDepartment of Veterans Affairs in Totowa.

Pearson said, "It's such an honor to giveback to the people who have given every-thing for this country and give us the free-dom we have. We also thank Deacon Rayand Operation Chillout who have done anexcellent job of creating these cold weath-er packs and providing veterans with thewarmth and dignity they deserve."

For more information on OperationChillout, visit www.operationchillout.org

Access sites for SupportiveServices for Veteran Families

These locations will provideOperation Chillout Backpacks and oth-er services for homeless veterans.

Passaic County• SSVF Office 24 DeGrasse St, Paterson

David Pearson (973) 818-3601

Morris and Sussex counties• Hope House, 19-26 Belmont Ave.,

Dover, Meghan Butler (973) 818-3606

Bergen County• SSVF Office, 57 Pink St, Hackensack,

Anna Rizzo (973) 220-5749

Essex County• 481 Sanford Ave., Newark, Adria

Goldenkranz (973) 399-1333

Union County• SSVF Office 505 S. Avenue East,

Cranford, Medina Wingo (908) 497-3940

Hudson County• SSVF Office, 591 Summit Ave, Jersey

City, Jennifer Vasquez (201) 656-5101

Hotline: (855) 767-8387