Three Charities in my Community

 I live in Hoboken, NJ.

St. Mary Advocates Thrift Store

This store that I had the pleasure of visiting is a thrift store that helps our community by giving away quality clothes at a discounted price for those in need. They pride themselves on being extremely flexible with prices depending on your situation (I was told this in person). An excerpt from their site regarding their history explains its origins in Saint Mary Hospital. "Our organization was incorporated in 1966 as the Saint Mary Hospital Woman’s Auxiliary. It was organized as a nonprofit whose mission was to raise funds and provide volunteers for Saint Mary Hospital which had just embarked on a complete rebuilding of the hospital." "Membership teas were held and women from a wide spectrum of the community became members, along with the wives of staff physicians. The organization soon became both a financial and social success. Within three years it achieved its first goal - raising $50,000 for the Dr. Kiely Memorial Laboratory in the newly erected South Building. Its annual luncheon and fashion show was a citywide social event and attended by hundreds of women. Over the next 45 years, the Auxiliary raised over 2.7 million dollars for the hospital."

I can personally vouch for this store as they always have a long line of people outside. The staff are extremely kind and the owners were very dedicated to their work.

The Hoboken Shelter

This shelter was established in 1982 by Geoff Curtiss who was battling poverty. He realized that Hoboken's living conditions for the homeless and struggling were not optimal in the slightest, some places holding 7 people in one apartment. As Hoboken developed into an extension of NYC, homeless folk from across the river began to pile in, heading from church to church asking for help. Curtiss and three other church leaders decided to come together and create a shelter for the unhoused and struggling, offering a hot meal and warm beds for anyone who came asking. To this day, the shelter continues to serve Hoboken well.

Hoboken Ambulance Volunteer Corps

Probably one of the more active charities in Hoboken, this group of people are volunteer EMTs who go around assisting anyone in dire need. Back in the early 70's, the Hoboken police were in charge of Ambulance services. What they would do is pick up a doctor from the hospital then drive to the scene to administer aid. A very lengthy process in all honesty. In 1971, fourteen volunteers stepped forward to form HAVC, training in a garage and acquiring an ambulance for $3k. In just that first year, they had 648 calls. I have a huge amount of respect for these people and hope they continue what they're doing as it truly makes a difference to those in need.