Guide for Hudson County, NJ*
updated 1/10/21


*This is a living, breathing set of resources, not a definitive list. We will update and add to our alternatives guides as our project grows and services in the area change. 

Family Helpline

1(800) 843-5437

Non-emergency number. 24 Hour Hotline. The Family Helpline is an organization that provides families and parents, as well as anyone who calls, a listening ear for support and resource guidance. For any person going through trauma, a mental health crisis, or general stress, this hotline provides a judgement-free zone, and will provide you local resources. This organization is statewide and anonymous, and refers to third-party organizations if child abuse or child endangerment may be involved. Police are rarely ever directly involved through this organization, however, discretion is used when referring these cases to separate third parties.


Bridgeway Crisis Intervention Services

(201) 885-2539

Non-emergency number. Hours of operation are 10am to 6pm from Monday through Friday. Located at 152 Central Ave. Jersey City. Services include a 30-day hospital diversion program for Hudson County residents. Photo ID and screening call prior to on-site visit is required to access services. Services are provided on a voluntary basis, no involuntary rescue/admissions. All admission and screening requires the consent of the individual. During emergency situations, de-escalation practices are utilized first before resorting to police involvement.



Organization explicitly seeks to avoid engaging police where possible and/or call respondents are trained to actively seek alternatives to engaging police



Organization has explicit guidance & protocols for engaging the police on behalf of callers and/or demonstrates a willingness to engage police outside of clear & immediate danger scenarios



There is less of a regular protocol for engaging the police & organization clearly articulates concerns about engaging police on behalf of callers



Cop Cooperation Assessments

Through our outreach efforts, volunteers have contacted these organizations and have assigned them “cop cooperation assessments”. We want to make sure that everyone using this guide is aware of the resources' relationships with law enforcement. These ratings were made using our best judgement. No matter how much a resource avoids cooperation with police, all organizations are beholden to laws which require the involvement of law enforcement, especially if child abuse or neglect is suspected.

Substance Use Disorder Resources:
Mental Health Services:
See C-Line Community Outreach Services Inc. under Substance Use Disorder Resources

Good Grief

(908) 522-1999

Non-emergency number. Hours of operation vary during COVID-19 restrictions. Volunteer-run organization for children ages 6 to 18 and adults who are currently experiencing or have experienced loss. Offering volunteer-based support groups that meet on a biweekly basis, free to families based in New Jersey. Locations in Morristown and Princeton. Also offering virtual and smaller limited in-person support groups. Programs offered in Spanish, as well. Phone number to enroll in services directly is (609) 498-6674 x8006. For general information, voicemails are encouraged and family coordinator responds soon thereafter.



Primary Crises and Mental Health Hotline of Hudson County

(201) 915-2210

Emergency number and non-emergency number. Hotline open 24/7. Provides screening and mobile crisis services, as well as in-patient and outpatient programs. Primary location is the Jersey City Medical Center. Police are often called for mobile response in the event of a crisis where a person poses a threat to themselves or others. Mobile crisis team cannot enter the home without police presence. Other services that are referred are ambulance services, in the event of an on-site visit. Follow-up treatment dependent case-by-case.



Food Insecurity:

C-Line Community Outreach Services Inc.

(201) 200-1965

Non-emergency number. Hours of operation for phone line and in-person services are 9am to 4pm Monday through Friday and 9am to 12pm on Saturdays. Offering group therapy from 9am to 12pm via Zoom and intensive outpatient services, as well as outpatient substance abuse services. Police are often involved in cases of conflict or disruption. In any case a client becomes ill, ambulances are called, may be accompanied by police as well.




Partners in Prevention

(201) 552-2264

Non-emergency number. Hours of operation are 9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday. Offering education services and works closely with police. This is a prevention program coalition that works with community members/organizations that serve as eyes and ears in drug usage prevention efforts. This organization works with municipal bodies as well. They also help to develop educational material and resources on drug usage/prevention, as well.





Youth Services:

Boys and Girls Clubs of Hudson County: Jersey City

(201) 333-4100

Non-emergency number. Hours of operation for phone line and in-person services are 10am to 6pm from Monday through Friday. A 501(c)3 whose mission is to help young people, especially those most in need. Offering an after-school program for children ages 5 to 18. Activities including homework help, art, STEM, dance, and mentoring. Police rarely ever involved or called. Only in the event of extreme circumstance will police be involved.







The Hoboken Boys & Girls Club

(201) 963-6443

Non-emergency number. Hours of operation for phone line and in-person services are 2pm to 6pm. A 501(c)3 whose mission is to help young people, especially those most in need. Offering an after-school program for children ages 5 to 18. Activities including homework help, art, STEM, dance, and mentoring. Police rarely ever involved or called. Only in the event of extreme circumstance will police be involved.





St. John's Hands On 4 Hunger Food Pantry

(201) 798-0540

Non-emergency number. Located on 155 North Street in Jersey City. Hours of operation are 8am to 12:30pm on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month. Food services available to any Hudson County resident, attendance and potential identification may be required on-site. Police involvement is rare. Best method of contact is in-person during operating hours and dates, and phones are open during these times.



Housing Insecurity:

Highways

(201) 471-2633

Non-emergency number. Hours of operation for phone line are 10am to 4pm. Operating for food pantry hours are Monday through Friday 1pm to 4pm. Thrift store is currently closed. Address is 155 Broadway in Bayonne, NJ. Offering food services. Will ask for credentials such as photo ID, proof of income, proof of residence, birth certificates for minors. Other services include rental assistance and aid for health insurance applications. Also open the first Saturday of every month from 10am to 2pm. Police involvement is rare.




York Street Project

(201) 451-9838

Non-emergency number. Operating hours are 9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday (St. Joseph’s Home). A non-profit organization offering houseless services for families. Offering short-term, long-term, and rapid relief housing, as well as a child care center, where hours are from 7:30am to 5pm. The child care center serves as an alternative to the Urban League, and rates vary. Maternity housing, subsidized housing for single working women, hybrid services, and child development services for young children ages 6 months to 4 years. Have the capacity to house up to 11 families in emergency shelter housing. Police involvement is common for any altercations or disputes that happen within shelters.





St. Lucy's Emergency Shelter

(201) 656-7201

Emergency number. Operating hours are 24 hours and 7 days a week, servicing houseless and/or temporarily displaced individuals. Temporary emergency shelter providing services such as welfare, SSI, and unemployment assistance, as well as job training and education. Other services include mental health/addiction-treatment programs. Shelter provides two meals a day, clothing, and showers. Other outreach services available, as well. Police are involved when there are violent altercations or disputes. For medical emergencies, 911 is called. Located at 619 Grove Street, Jersey City, NJ.





Sexual or Domestic Violence:

Hudson County Rape Crisis Center

(201) 795-8375 ext. 2

Non-emergency number. 24 Hour Hotline offering guidance and support for survivors of sexual assault. Provides services such as immediate crisis intervention, support groups, specialized case management, accompaniments to medical facilities as well as police precincts.


WomenRising
(201) 333-5700
Non-emergency number. Helpline is available 24/7. WomenRising provides counseling, group therapy, emergency housing placement, and legal assistance. They also provide development services such as job training. Police are not contacted with this organization, but police involvement is a byproduct if one wants to pursue legal action. Services are offered in: English, Spanish, Arabic, Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu, Creole, and Marathi.





Animal Control Services:

Liberty Humane Society

(201) 547-4888

Non-emergency number. Hours of operation are 2pm to 7pm on Thursdays, Fridays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Weekend hours are 11am to 4pm, Saturdays and Sundays. Closed on Mondays. The LHS Animal Response Team serves Jersey City, Hoboken, and Bayonne. Emergency services include rescues for injured or sick animals (including wildlife), confined, stray, lost domestic animals, and/or wild animals in living spaces that are unable to escape. Non-emergent inquiries can also be made online. If you are not experiencing an animal emergency please contact the ART during business hours, 8am to 4pm from Monday to Saturday, excluding holidays.




LGBTQ+ Resources:

Hudson Pride Center

(201) 963-4779

Non-emergency number. Hours of operation are 12 pm - 8 pm Monday through Friday. The Hudson Pride Center is the largest and only full service LGBTQ center in NJ, providing health services and referrals, a variety of support groups (now all virtual), and counseling. Individuals can complete an optional intake process to become a member and allow the HPC to more easily find referrals and advocate on their behalf. HPC also holds social events and training sessions for other service providers.