KarunaNews Story

When temperatures drop below freezing in Monmouth County, New Jersey, the local sheriff’s office issues a “Code Blue” alert to activate warming centers for unhoused people. Trinity Church in Asbury Park runs the county’s largest drop-in overnight warming center for adults and employs four social workers each winter to run it throughout the night. Trinity always has hats, gloves, hand warmers, foot warmers and other necessities available to help people stay warm during the day and runs a soup community meal on Saturdays and a food pantry on Tuesdays. Its Radical Wellbeing Program helps unhoused people find affordable housing and jobs. It also provides financial coaching, mental health support, medical support and more. In 2025, Trinity served more than 400 people over 98 “Code Blue” nights, including one night when 105 people stayed at the warming center.