Oral Histories

Emergency Assistance, ICE Detention Quotas, COVID-19 in Detention Centers, Ban the Box

Reverend Seth Kaper-Dale of the Reformed Church of Highland Park discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the Affordable Housing Corporation, a support services organization that Kaper-Dale started in 2005. He details how this work is a crucial component of his faith and of his ministry.

Emergency Assistance, ICE Detention Quotas, COVID-19 in Detention Centers, Ban the Box

Affordable Housing, Housing Insecurity, Substance Use Disorder, Reentry, Intersectionality, Transgender, Alternative Sentencing for Drug Offenses, Holistic Therapy, Mental Healthcare for Incarcerated Individuals

Austin Morreale

Affordable Housing, Housing Insecurity, Substance Use Disorder, Reentry, Intersectionality, Transgender, Alternative Sentencing for Drug Offenses, Holistic Therapy, Mental Healthcare for Incarcerated Individuals

Austin Morreale details his work at NeighborCorps, a reentry program that assists people transitioning from Middlesex County Jail. Austin discusses the highs and the lows of his line of work, and advocates for a holistic approach to assisting those seeking help with reentry.

Affordable Housing, Housing Insecurity, Substance Use Disorder, Reentry, Intersectionality, Transgender, Alternative Sentencing for Drug Offenses, Holistic Therapy, Mental Healthcare for Incarcerated Individuals

Informal Economy, Illicit Economy, Housing Insecurity, Support Groups, Unstable Households, Domestic Violence, Financial Stability, Reliable Transportation, Substance Use Disorder

Johnny Wood

Informal Economy, Illicit Economy, Housing Insecurity, Support Groups, Unstable Households, Domestic Violence, Financial Stability, Reliable Transportation, Substance Use Disorder

Johnny Wood details the hurdles that formerly incarcerated individuals face during the reentry process including securing housing, finding a job, and struggling to find reliable transportation.

Informal Economy, Illicit Economy, Housing Insecurity, Support Groups, Unstable Households, Domestic Violence, Financial Stability, Reliable Transportation, Substance Use Disorder

COVID-19 Hospitalizations, Digital Divide, Public Health Messaging, Verbal Affirmation, Pandemic Fatigue, Housing Quality, Permanent Supportive Housing, Social Support

Michael Castaldo

COVID-19 Hospitalizations, Digital Divide, Public Health Messaging, Verbal Affirmation, Pandemic Fatigue, Housing Quality, Permanent Supportive Housing, Social Support

Michael Castaldo is a single father who experienced housing insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. He describes the multiple transitions his family has faced during this time of uncertainty.

COVID-19 Hospitalizations, Digital Divide, Public Health Messaging, Verbal Affirmation, Pandemic Fatigue, Housing Quality, Permanent Supportive Housing, Social Support

Social Support, Housing Capacity, Housing Quality, Community, Caregiving, Food Insecurity, Remote Learning, Employment

Allison Moss

Social Support, Housing Capacity, Housing Quality, Community, Caregiving, Food Insecurity, Remote Learning, Employment

Located in north-central New Jersey, Allison is a single mom of four who, during the COVID-19 pandemic, faced multiple insecurities including houselessness, while navigating her own health concerns and caring for her children.

Social Support, Housing Capacity, Housing Quality, Community, Caregiving, Food Insecurity, Remote Learning, Employment

Substance Use Disorder, Affordable Housing, Precariously Housed, Mental Health, Ban the Box, Self Harm, Difficulty with Benefits

Matthew Novis

Substance Use Disorder, Affordable Housing, Precariously Housed, Mental Health, Ban the Box, Self Harm, Difficulty with Benefits

New Brunswick native Matthew Novis details his journey with substance abuse disorders and his relationship to being precariously housed as a formerly incarcerated individual. Matthew details his concerns for his town and for others facing houselessness.

Substance Use Disorder, Affordable Housing, Precariously Housed, Mental Health, Ban the Box, Self Harm, Difficulty with Benefits

Reentry, Restorative Justice, Prison Education, Housing Insecurity, Policing, Home Ownership

Josh Green

Reentry, Restorative Justice, Prison Education, Housing Insecurity, Policing, Home Ownership

North Brunswick resident Josh Green describes both the challenges and the opportunities that have emerged for him throughout his reentry process during a worldwide pandemic. Josh remains hopeful for what the future holds for him and his community.

Reentry, Restorative Justice, Prison Education, Housing Insecurity, Policing, Home Ownership

Reentry, Reentry Programs, Pandemic, Unemployment, Housing Insecurity, Affordable Housing Act, Subsidized Housing

Anonymous

Reentry, Reentry Programs, Pandemic, Unemployment, Housing Insecurity, Affordable Housing Act, Subsidized Housing

A Highland Park resident, who has been through the reentry process, describes how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected their job security. They also detail the importance of spending time with their family.

Reentry, Reentry Programs, Pandemic, Unemployment, Housing Insecurity, Affordable Housing Act, Subsidized Housing

Domestic Violence, Pandemic, EISS Resources, Play Therapy, Food Insecurity, Parenting During Crisis, Support System

Annissa Fernandez

Domestic Violence, Pandemic, EISS Resources, Play Therapy, Food Insecurity, Parenting During Crisis, Support System

Annissa Fernandez discusses the struggles of escaping an abusive relationship and how her and her child have adapted to their new life in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Domestic Violence, Pandemic, EISS Resources, Play Therapy, Food Insecurity, Parenting During Crisis, Support System

Note on COVID-19: These interviews were conducted in compliance with strict social distancing and mask guidelines using a web conferencing application.