Cited from the Friends of Jean Webster, Inc. Needs Assessment, 2006
NEEDS ASSESSMENT
Assessment of Target Population
The target population for Sister Jean’s Kitchen is the homeless and those at risk for homelessness in Atlantic City. Leading factors contributing to homelessness include mental illness, substance abuse, low paying jobs, lack of affordable housing, unemployment, domestic violence, poverty and prisoner re-entry. Atlantic City, New Jersey hosts a staggering number of people living below the poverty line, 23.6% compared to the state level of 8.5% and national level of 12.4%. Nineteen percent of all families and 29.1% of those under 18 in Atlantic City live below the poverty line. In 2004, the US Department of Labor calculated the unemployment rate, for the metropolitan statistical area of Atlantic City, to be at 6.1%. This is well above the state rate of 4.8% and national rate of 5.4%. In 2002, the NJ Department of Human Services estimated the unemployment rate in the city proper to be 11.4%, compared to the county average of 6.6%. High poverty and unemployment puts Atlantic City at-risk for a high percentage of homelessness. It is estimated that the homeless population in Atlantic City is in excess of 2,500. This startling number represents 6.2% of Atlantic City’s total population. The city, largely viewed as a thriving seaside resort, hosts an estimated 250 people living under its boardwalk.
As the cost of living in Atlantic City dramatically rises, we have seen an increase of at least 10% of meals served over the past year in our program. Each day more of the population is faced with the choice of paying rent or providing a nutritious meal for their family. According to the 2004 US Conference of Mayors Hunger and Homelessness Survey , during the past year, requests for emergency food assistance by families increased by an average of 13%, with 20% of requests for emergency food assistance going unmet. The survey showed that the leading causes contributing to hunger are unemployment, low-paying jobs, high housing costs, poverty, medical or health costs, substance abuse, high utility costs, mental health problems, reduced public benefits and homelessness. All of these factors are contributors to homelessness, or risk for homelessness; confirming that hunger and homelessness risk go hand in hand. Addressing these contributing factors are the only viable solutions to ending hunger and homelessness.
Friends of Jean Webster, Inc. recognizes the need for Sister Jean’s Kitchen to be a catalyst for change in the lives of the needy. Guests of Sister Jean’s Kitchen are made up of the aforementioned groups at risk for homelessness and those that are homeless. In 2005, a study conducted by a professor at Stockton College of NJ at our facility, found that guests view the kitchen as a major source of support in their lives. Fifty six percent of those surveyed revealed that the Kitchen was the sole source of support in their lives. Through our provision of meal service, we deal with a critical component of care for this population, the restoration of human dignity. This focus of our program, offers patrons the opportunity to develop a sense of self-worth. We recognize that a sense of self-worth is vital to self-improvement. Once this is achieved, guests will be empowered to access available resources and contribute to society, as they are able. FOJW has informal relationships with a variety of social service providers. Our organization is in the process of formalizing and strengthening relationships with community partners, Jewish Family Services and Mission Health Care, to provide better access for our guests to services that they need to achieve any level of self- sufficiency. Greater needs of our guests will be addressed through the revision and expansion of existing partnerships. The lives of our guests will be improved through direct access to needed community services.
*Sister Jean’s Kitchen is the only program in Atlantic City providing meal service to an unrestricted population for unrestricted periods of time, while offering informal referral to needed social services.