History

In 1989 Homefirst began providing rental assistance for families to make possible their transition from our shelter to a home of their own. At the same time we began our shift from just a volunteer-based shelter program with part-time social service staff to a direct service organization with full-time professional staff partnering with volunteers. This further illuminated the many critical needs of parents and children living in poverty that need to be addressed in order to make a long-term difference in their lives. We added additional programs that focus on nutrition, budgeting, health and intergenerational enrichment activities.

In 1996 we embraced a new national model to address the homelessness crisis – “Housing First.” With funding from Housing and Urban Development and support from our donors, Homefirst bought our first 4 units of affordable housing. The “Housing First” approach helps people move as quickly as possible into affordable housing with the comprehensive case management and support services required to ensure their success.

In May 2006 Interfaith Council for the Homeless of Union County changed its name to Homefirst, Interfaith Housing and Family Services.  Our new name paints a more accurate picture of our evolution as an organization.

In 2007, we continued to develop our housing stock; adding four more supportive housing units during this transition. This raised our total housing inventory to 38 units: 7 transitional units (including two for victims of domestic violence), 26 supportive units for clients that were both homeless and disabled and 5 permanent affordable units.

In June 2008, Homefirst completed a three year strategic plan and named Ellen McGovern, MSW, LCSW as its new Executive Director. Work began on implementing the strategic plan and moving forward with completion of our Housing Success IV Supportive Housing program.

In 2009 we added 5 more supportive homes, including two in Westfield which were our first housing investments in that city, and 3 in Plainfield. This completed the Housing Success IV program started in 2007. Earlier In 2010, we launched our 6 home Mountain-Central housing initiative This was completed in February of 2011, adding 6 new, affordable homes. Two are in Scotch Plains; the other four are located in Westfield.

In early 2010, youth volunteers broke ground on our first Community Garden in Plainfield. Over 600 young volunteers raised seedlings, constructed and planted growing beds, tended to the garden and helped harvest hundreds of pounds of fresh organic produce for local families. The success of the garden program inspired Homefirst employees and volunteers to add a larger,second community garden on one of our properties in Scotch Plains. Spring 2011 saw 200+ volunteers again donating their time, tools and treasure to arrange the garden beds and plant the 400 seedlings they had helped raise. The two gardens together will produce even more fresh fruits and vegetables for families to enjoy, free of charge.

The Homefirst Family Success Center in Plainfield celebrated its 18 month anniversary in June, 2011. Almost six hundred (600) people have been served by the center since its opening, receiving assistance and access to valuable services that strengthened themselves and their families. By shaping its Family Success Center into a haven where families at risk of homelessness can participate in community-building activities, including our Community Gardens, Homefirst is able to help strengthen famiies while working to build healthy communities.