Thank you to all who joined the New Jersey Association of Counties (NJAC) for captivating discussions on “Homelessness” on Friday, December 15, 2023.
Special thanks goes to our corporate sponsor, JCT Solutions; luncheon sponsor, PSE&G; breakfast sponsors – MRA International, Primepoint LLC, PKA Technologies, CFG Health Systems, and Genova Burns; vendors – Nationwide, AshBritt, Google Cloud, Slalom, Solix Inc., Yorktel, NJ Coalition Against Human Trafficking, and Volunteers of America Delaware Valley.
This event took place at the historic Trenton Country Club located in West Trenton and commenced at 10:00 a.m. with a warm welcome from NJAC Executive Director John G. Donnadio, Esq. After the flag salute, Jayleen Alvarado, a student from Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School, beautifully performed the National Anthem. Prior to the start of the Summit, Mr. Donnadio recognized Gloucester County Commissioner Deputy Director and Assemblywoman-Elect Heather Simmons for her dedication, commitment, and service to county government, Gloucester County, and NJAC. Commissioner Simmons was awarded with the NJAC Board of Directors Lifetime Achievement Award. Kathy Lockbaum, Salem County Board of Social Services Director, was also acknowledged for her long and distinguished career in public service as someone NJAC has always relied on for her leadership, support, and friendship. Ms. Lockbaum will retire at the end of this year. Mr. Donnadio presented her with a bouquet of flowers.
Eric Scott of NJ 101.5 FM was introduced to moderate both panel discussions. He asked the audience to give a special welcome to the first set of panelists:
- Michael Callahan, Office of Homelessness Prevention Director
- Connie Mercer, NJ Coalition to End Homelessness Executive Director
- Meghan Leigh, Covenant House Action Research Tank Senior Director
- Kathy Lockbaum, Salem County Board of Social Services Director
For the next hour, the panelists discussed the root causes and inescapable challenges of being homeless in the State of New Jersey along with recommendations on necessary structural reforms to enhance critical services.
After a fifteen minute break, Mr. Scott introduced the next set of panelists:
- Kevin Donahue, NJ 211 Chief Operating Officer
- Debbie-Ann Anderson, Union County Department of Human Services Director
- Frank Mazza, Hudson County Department of Housing and Community Reintegration Director
- Amanda Leese, Volunteers of America Delaware Valley Reentry/Navigator Services Senior Vice President
These state, county, and non-profit authorities emphasized coordinated efforts to provide vital assistance, essential resources and support, and innovative solutions to those in need.
Once the panel discussions concluded, Mr. Donnadio welcomed Philadelphia tax attorney and Ms. Universe of 2021-2022, Nikki Johnson-Alfano, Esq. as the keynote speaker. She shared her remarkable journey of being homeless as a young child to owning a thriving law practice. Ms. Johnson-Alfano, Esq. was born into poverty in Detroit to a young single mother. As a young child, her family moved to California. At the age of nine, her family suffered financial difficulties and became homeless. She eventually went on to live with her maternal grandmother, which proved to be an important step in providing stability in her young life. Although they lived on the limited means of public assistance, her grandmother instilled in her a thirst for education and a drive to work hard to achieve the American dream. Ms. Johnson-Alfano, Esq. thrived under the supportive although impoverished care of her grandmother and flourished in her public school environment through which she gained a scholarship for college. After moving across the country to attend St Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, she faced additional adversity. Struggling with the transition to college life among more affluent peers, she failed out of school after her first year. Determined to achieve her dreams, she went back to attend St. Joseph’s night school program while working full time as a nanny for Main Line families. She successfully completed her studies, earning her Bachelor of Science degree in 1998. After spending time in the working world, she continued to be reminded of her childhood desire to become an attorney. She decided to fulfill that goal and attended Temple University’s Beasley School of Law. Ms. Johnson-Alfano, Esq. was honored to graduate with three degrees, including her JD, MBA, and LLM in Taxation, which she earned in just four years. She is currently the founder of The Law Office of Nikki Johnson-Huston,Esq. LLC, a law practice focusing on Philadelphia City tax disputes for businesses and individuals. Before founding her own firm, she spent over six years as an Assistant City Solicitor for the City of Philadelphia Law Department within the city’s Major Tax Unit. She serves on multiple committees and boards and is dedicated to providing access to education opportunities to Philadelphia’s youth through her numerous community activities. She has been very active in the community and legal activities over the years due to her strong belief in paying it forward. Daily, she seeks opportunities to be an example of uplifting and empowering through her law-related and community service activities. Ms. Johnson, Alfano, Esq. has been honored with numerous awards such as Ms. Universe in 201-2022. She has also had the opportunity to speak about her background and educational upbringing all across the country.