Programs for the Homeless
roviding ssistance o the omeless The PATH Center at 816-818 North Fifth Street is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., providing a safe environment that offers a variety of services for men and women who have become homeless. One of the first day centers in the country for this population, the center opened in 1989 at the request of city officials. PATH uses a case management approach that reflects Respond's philosophy of caring and the development of self help. PATH seeks to set the program's participants on the road to rehabilitation and self sufficiency.
PATH Clients
Clients come to PATH voluntarily. The majority live in the streets, in abandoned houses or in vehicles under nearby highway bridges. Many are transient from one relative's or friend's home to another. Most have no recent income or employment history; 90% have a history of substance abuse; ages range from 19 to 60, with a median age of 38 over the past ten years.PATH Services
Supportive services are provided to each client in a case management model that holistically addresses individual client concerns. Services, either direct or by referral, include substance abuse counseling, HIV counseling, life skills training, health and mental health services, employment, housing counseling, literacy and nutrition counseling. The more basic services of laundry, showers, telephone, mail receipt, clothing bank and snack service are also provided.Camden Code Blue - Winter Night Shelter
PATH operates Camden's highly successful Code Blue Program over the winter months for homeless single adults from both Camden City and County. During periods of extreme cold, police and volunteers seek out homeless people and bring them in for shelter for the night. The program's success is attested to by the fact that not a single homeless person's life has been lost in Camden as a result of exposure to the cold.Homeless Hospitality Network
PATH collaborates with the Interfaith Hospitality Outreach Council and the faith community throughout Camden County to provide housing and support for up to 12 men at a time who are actively seeking to rehabilitate themselves. The ability to refer men to the IHOC network gives PATH an added dimension. Office space for the Network case manager is provided by Respond at the PATH Day Center as an in-kind service. The Network also provides transportation, job support, and transitional housing to help participating clients achieve independence.Transitional Housing
PATH operates Crossroads House located near the day center. Crossroads House provides eleven homeless men of many backgrounds and with multiple presenting problems with transitional supportive housing in a group residence. One of the residents serves as the Peer Manager. Residents have their own rooms and share kitchen and bath facilities. Services are provided in substance abuse counseling, life skills, housing, search for part-time employment where appropriate, and transition to permanent housing. Services for veterans, those with mental or physical health problems and other concerns requiring professional licensed interventions are done by referral to a broad network of community providers.Program Support
Support for PATH comes from the Camden County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the City of Camden and the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development.Centers:
PATH Day Center Site
816 No. 5th Street
Camden, NJ 08102Emergency Code Blue
818 No. 5th Street
Camden, NJ 08102Crossroads House
500 State Street
Camden, NJ 08102
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