For many years we have been aware of a small group of people who try to exist under a bridge in Palisades Park. Our staff person, Angelica, has befriended them, providing coffee and sandwiches especially in the coldest weather. Our efforts to get more services for them from county agencies have resulted only in the suggestion that they can come to the county shelter in Hackensack. However, this has not worked for various reasons, including the fact that they are never welcomed into the regular shelter but only into the "sit-up" section, and they must leave by 7 a.m. Mostly we are advised that they don't want to be helped so we might as well not try. This bitter winter our staff was able to persuade two of the workers to go with them to the shelter on the day the government is trying to count the homeless. They were welcomed, provided ... Read more