Good Counsel-South Jersey, a new shelter in the diocese for homeless women and their children, is just about ready to open its doors.

And, if all goes according to plan, the first residents will be welcomed by the end of this month.

Located in Riverside in the vacant convent now attached to Resurrection Parish, Good Counsel-South Jersey will serve as a healthy, nurturing haven where nine mothers and their children, who are in need of a safe, stable and supervised environment, will have the opportunity to live, learn and thrive.

“I was deeply impressed by the facility but more so by the incredible staff who will be working there,” said Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., following a Feb. 17 visit.

“The need for such welcoming and supportive homes is so great,” said Bishop O’Connell. “I am thrilled that the Diocese of Trenton can have such a place among its many programs of service. It bears great concrete and practical witness to our pro-life efforts in the diocese.” 

Home Sweet Home 
Good Counsel-South Jersey will operate round-the-clock and will be staffed by JoAnn DiNoia, program director, along with four resident assistants and a case manager.

With a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and varied work experiences in education and business, DiNoia’s decision to work in ministry resulted from a life-changing trip she took to the Holy Land where she realized that she wanted to do more “with the gifts God had given me.”

She served as a parish coordinator of religious education in St. Joseph Parish, Beverly, and as a pastoral associate in Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, Riverside, before she was named program director of Good Counsel Home.

Outlining what Good Counsel mothers can expect once they take up residency, DiNoia said that the staff will focus on equipping them with the skills they need to care for their children and themselves and to live independently. All mothers will be given assigned chores, and under the direction of the resident assistants, they will learn household maintenance skills such as budgeting and planning, preparing and cooking meals.

The residents will also participate in weekly workshops on parenting, education, nutrition, child growth and development, and all that goes with trying to find a job – filling out applications, preparing a resume/ cover letter and learning about interviewing skills and appropriate attire.

Life skills sessions will be taught by the resident assistants five nights a week as well as by representatives of local agencies and businesses, including bank officers and nurses.

DiNoia said that prospective residents will come to Good Counsel Home through referrals from local social service agencies as well as through the agency’s main helpline that is responsible for screening and placement of clients.

In addition to Riverside, there are several specialized Good Counsel residences in the New York tri-state region and “in-take” staff who determine the facility that will best suit a particular woman’s needs.

“Every call that is made, regardless of the situation of the person who is calling or inquiring, even if they are not eligible to reside in Good Counsel Home, we will find a suitable place for them to go and get the help they need,” DiNoia said. 

Readying the Riverside Site 
DiNoia smiled as she led a tour of the two-story building that was built in the 1960s and was home to the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters until 2008, when St. Casimir Parish became involved in a parish merger and the sisters left.

Overall, “this is a good, solid, sturdy building and much of the structure remains in tact from when the sisters lived here,” DiNoia said.

Some upgrading and cosmetic repairs needed to be made around the house before the new Good Counsel occupants moved in. A sprinkler system, fire alarm, new carpeting, flooring and ceiling fans were installed, and in the kitchen, the counters were replaced and electrical work was updated. What used to be parlors or sitting rooms for the sisters were transformed into offices for Good Counsel staff, and, thanks to the artistic talents of two young volunteers, the community room is now a newly-remodeled child care room with a colorful jungle theme.

Upstairs, the 10 bedrooms, including one which will be used by a resident assistant who will stay with the mothers during the night, were painted in pretty neutral and pastel shades. Each room is furnished with a bed, dresser and newly installed sink and vanity. All furniture, bedding, baby items, materials as well as the computers have been donated.

On the second floor the dormitory- style lavatory, with multiple showers and toilet facilities, was made handicapped accessible.

Outside construction included a new wheelchair accessible ramp which extends from the sidewalk to the front door, as well as an adjacent play area for the children.

One mainstay on the building’s first floor is the chapel where the Blessed Sacrament will be reserved and monthly Masses will be celebrated by priests from the surrounding area. All mothers, regardless of what their faith tradition or religious affiliation, will be encouraged to attend the monthly Mass, DiNoia said.

Upon seeing the chapel, Bishop O’Connell said that it was a “special joy” for him to give permission to reserve the Blessed Sacrament there.

“I hope our Lord’s constant presence will bring strength and hope to all the mothers and children who will remain there,” he said. 

Making it Happen 
Good Counsel-South Jersey will operate under the direction of Good Counsel, Inc., a Catholic organization that for 26 years has been dedicated to the care of single, homeless pregnant mothers before, during and after the birth of their babies.

Good Counsel Homes, founded in 1985 by Franciscan Father Benedict Groeschel and Chris Bell, currently operates four homes in the greater New York City area. One is called Daystar, which specializes in the care of mothers with mental illness and addiction issues. In addition to providing direct assistance, Good Counsel has been instrumental in assisting other maternity homes across the country so that pregnant women in need can choose life for their babies and receive the necessary life skills training to live independently.

The total annual operating cost to run Good Counsel Home is $400,000 and the money is raised primarily through private donations and fundraising events, including an annual banquet that is held each October (this year’s banquet is planned for Oct. 23 in the Lucien’s Manor, Berlin); the spring walk-a-thons that are held in four South Jersey locations – two in the Trenton Diocese (Memorial Park, Cinnaminson, and Freedom Park, Medford) and two in the Camden Diocese (Washington Lake Park in Gloucester County and on the Wildwood Boardwalk). The 2011 walk-athon will take place May 21.

Other money generators include solicitations through Good Counsel’s monthly newsletter mailings, visits to parishes where donations of prayerful and financial support are requested, and other agencies, including Knights of Columbus councils, host events such as Chinese auctions and “beef ‘n’ beer” socials of their own.

DiNoia said that there are two events planned where visitors will have a chance to see the new Good Counsel Home for themselves. On April 2, the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters who ministered in St. Casimir Parish and School have been invited to an open house which will begin with Mass in the adjacent St. Casimir Church followed by a tour and reception. The official opening and dedication of Good Counsel Home is set to take place June 26.

“The greatest day for us will be when these moms leave Good Counsel Home with our blessing. That’s the day when they will have found housing, employment, have achieved independent living and have become self-sufficient so that they can provide for themselves and their family,” DiNoia said.

“That’s what we want for these moms. That’s our goal.”

Donations of baby clothing and necessities as well as maternity clothes for the mothers and household goods are welcomed. Donors are asked to call Good Counsel Home-South Jersey before delivering their items at 856-393-8169.