Months After Sandy, Brick Gathers for Information, Support

Written by Carly Kilroy

Brick Township resident Ann Melone was tired of getting second-hand information from neighbors about the Sandy recovery effort.

So on Saturday morning, she and her husband attended a public forum where she and other residents got the chance to speak with their elected officials about efforts since Sandy.

“You don't feel like you're on your own [when you come to something like this],” Melone said.

Mayor Stephen Acropolis said that bringing residents together to ask questions and providing information is vital to getting the town back on track, which is why he and others planned the forum.

“People want to see you and I think it's important for that face to face time,” Acropolis said.

Residents came to the forum bearing plenty of questions for the mayor - from tax questions to applying for grants - as well as his council members. Other organizations such as FEMA and The Ocean County Health Department held smaller information sessions at the forum as well.

“We try to bring people in and then make professionals available,” Acropolis said.

Another one of those professional organizations includes the volunteer group New Jersey Hope and Healing, which had volunteers on hand to discuss whey they have to offer.

“Right now, people just need their feelings acknowledged. We sit with people and acknowledge that what they're feeling and what they're going through emotionally is completely normal,” New Jersey Hope and Healing Project volunteer Philip Pesano said.

Whether residents want to meet volunteers at the organization's office or chat with someone on their toll free hotline, volunteers are always on call to talk with Hurricane Sandy victims, Pesano said.

“Sometimes people just need to hear a new voice,” Pesano said.

Pesano said one of the organizations main goals is getting people back into doing the little things they enjoyed doing before the storm so they can get their lives somewhat back to normal again.

“Getting a new routine formulated is creating a new sense of normalcy,” Pesano said.

If you or anyone you know would like more information about the services New Jersey Hope and Healing offers, you can visit their website at www.disastermentalhealthnj.com.