When J. Thomas walked through the gates of Hope Village II on Elizabeth Avenue in Newark, he sought a path toward transformation as he was at one of the lowest points in his life. 

“I was broke down when I went in,” Mr. Thomas said. 

Mr. Thomas’ difficult circumstances coming to Hope Village II are a harsh reality many of the transitional housing facility’s residents face when entering, looking for stability in their lives.   

Hope Village II is a 20-bed transitional shelter launched by the City of Newark in January 2024. It’s designed to serve individuals facing chronic homelessness and complex barriers to housing. Managed by UCC staff, Hope Village II quickly became a vital resource in Newark’s ongoing efforts to mitigate homelessness through a holistic approach to help assist residents like Mr. Thomas. 

Throughout his seven-month stay, Mr. Thomas benefited from the wraparound services that define Hope Village II’s model of care. UCC staff helped him access critical documents, restore benefits, and enroll in assistance programs. 

Instrumental in Mr. Thomas’ transformation were UCC Hope Village II staffers, Deidre, Jelani, and Sasha.  

“They gave us the know-how and the reason to go on living,” he said. “The reason to rebuild. And I’ve done that.” 

Even in a shared environment with others facing similar challenges, Mr. Thomas found strength in community.  

“Some of us got along, some of us didn’t, but we still came together. We were like a family,” he said. 

Today, Mr. Thomas lives independently in a place he can call his own. He credits the structure, support, and compassion he received at Hope Village II with helping him reach this milestone. 

“I have nothing but praises for Hope Village,” he said. “For men and women who want to be strong and stay strong, they can get hope at the Village. That’s something I can promise you.”