Sen. Vin Gopal, D-Long Branch applauded Governor Phil Murphy this week for his inclusion of $250,000 in his state budget proposal last week for Covenant House, the Asbury Park nonprofit that helps youth facing homelessness.
“Covenant House provides sanctuary and support for youth ages 18-21 facing homelessness or human trafficking. They help young people transform their lives and get back on a path to independence,” Gopal said. “At a time when we are trying to address a spike over the past few year in youth depression and suicides, Covenant House provides essential services that save young lives.”
Gopal, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, has made youth mental health a priority and has sponsored numerous bills to make mental and behavioral health services more widely accessible by young people.
“Covenant House is a great partner in my Senate district and their work over the past 10 years has had a major impact on young people in need of housing and guidance,” Gopal said.
Covenant House Executive Director James White issued a statement thanking Gopal for his efforts to have the funds included in the budget.
“We would like to give a special thank you to Senator Vin Gopal for his continued advocacy and long time support of our organization,” Covenant House Executive Director Jim White said. “The senator has been a tireless champion of Covenant House Asbury Park and was instrumental in getting us $250,000 for operational costs in the governor’s budget for our 2023 fiscal year. This funding will allow us to keep serving the most vulnerable young citizens in Monmouth County.”
