Agapé House

Address: 122-128 East Main Street, Somerville, NJ 08876

Phone:  (908) 707-9753

Program Description: Agapé House is an emergency shelter providing temporary housing, residential, case management and youth services to homeless families with children, single men and women.

Facility Description: Agapé House is a side-by-side duplex that contains 16 private bedrooms, three (3) communal kitchens, and six (6) communal bathrooms. Agapé House is equipped with a youth enrichment center which is equipped with a large playroom, library, and homework/study area. Additionally, Agapé House has an outdoor playground area and jungle gym.  

Capacity: Agapé House is a 60-bed facility and serves approximately 200 residents annually. 

Admission Criteria: Clients must be homeless and receive public assistance. Agapé House receives client referrals through the local boards of Social Services (i.e. Somerset, Middlesex, Morris, Warren and Hunterdon Counties). Most clients receive emergency assistance. Agapé House also accepts referrals from other agencies such as Division of Youth and Family Services, Adult Protective Services, and parole boards.  

Services Provided: Residents receive 24-hour staff support and supervision, case management, workshops, housing, supplemental food, clothing and household items as well as youth enrichment activities.

Each adult is assigned a case manager who is trained to offer counseling in the areas of housing, education, employment, domestic violence, mental health, and family and legal issues.  A case manager conducts assessments on each resident to determine the level and types of services they require.  After assessing the needs of the clients and the factors contributing to their homelessness, the case manager works with the individual to create a service plan. This list of prioritized goals enables the clients to work towards self-sufficiency and independent living.  The case manager assists in job search and placement and provides professional insight and emotional support.  The case manager serves as an advocate for the family with the local social service agencies and school systems.

Specifically, families are assigned to a case manager who additionally assesses the needs of all the children upon intake.  The case manager ensures the needs of each child (i.e., academic, medical, physical and emotional) are met.  The case manager coordinates academic and recreational activities for the children such as tutoring, mentoring and field trips.  The case manager also implements volunteers from the community to assist in the above activities, when available.

All residents must complete 20 hours of activities a week, such as job search, educational training, volunteering and attending workshops (i.e., nutrition, budgeting, parenting, and/or drug and alcohol education). Educational assistance is provided for those who have begun work on their GED.

Staffing Pattern: Agapé House is a 24-hour supervised facility. The Agapé House staff consists of a Program Director, a Program Manager, 3 Case Managers, an Administrative Assistant and 9 Program Assistants. The shifts are 8 am – 4 pm, 4 pm – 12am, and 12am – 8 am. 

Funding Sources(s): Agapé House receives Emergency Assistance funding based on client referrals through the local boards of Social Services (i.e. Somerset, Middlesex, Morris, Warren and Hunterdon Counties). Agapé House also receives funding through the Somerset County Department of Human Services, Somerset County United Way and United Way of Central Jersey. 

History: Volunteers of America Delaware Valley established Agapé House in 1988 as the first shelter for homeless families in Somerset County.

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