NEWS RELEASE July 10, 2023 Contact: Alice Woods, Executive Director awoods@oceansharborhouse.org; 732-929-0096, extension 207 OCEAN'S HARBOR HOUSE TO TRANSITION EMERGENCY YOUTH SHELTER TO FAMILY SHELTER SEPARATE SUPERVISED TRANSITIONAL LIVING HOME WILL CONTINUE TO HOUSE YOUTH Ocean's Harbor House announced today it will begin a process of transitioning its emergency youth shelter into a family shelter citing heightened demand and need in the community for families in need of shelter and support services that provide a stable environment. The organization's 12-bed Supervised Transitional Living Home for youth 16-21 will continue to operate and house vulnerable and abandoned youth. The Healing Harbor Services division will continue to provide case management, family engagement, crisis counseling, youth groups and education and prevention of sexual exploitation of children. "We are transitioning to a family shelter model with the ultimate goal of empowering families to regain their foothold in the community and transition them to independence," stated Alice Woods, Executive Director. "We will provide a roof over their head and access to medical/mental health services, job counseling and life skills trainings. Transitioning to this new model demonstrates our organization's commitment to meeting the needs of youth and families in crisis and keeping families together. This approach not only serves them but the community as a whole." "For more than 35 years, our organization's pillars of service have focused on youth homelessness, youth and families in crisis and most recently the prevention of sexual exploitation of children and we will continue to provide these vital programs," added Woods. "Adding the family shelter to our roster of services enables us to enact an integrated and collaborative approach with the desired goal of preventing homelessness and the unraveling of the family unit caused by unattainable housing, employment loss, increasing community health issues and an exploding mental health crisis." The timetable for the opening of the family shelter will be announced at a future date.