Ocean’s Harbor House Helps Young People Build Stable Futures Beyond Homelessness

For a young person between the ages of 16 and 24, the transition into adulthood can be challenging even with a stable home, dependable family support and access to resources.

Now imagine trying to navigate that same transition without knowing where you will sleep, without reliable adults to turn to and without many of the basic life skills most people learn gradually from parents, teachers or family members.

That is the population Ocean’s Harbor House serves every day.

In this episode 27 of the Shop Jersey Shore Podcast, host Lisa Mazzuca speaks with Donna Carlson, RN, Chief Operating Officer; Jenny Allen, Director of Programs; and Dawn Samaritano, Chief Financial Officer of Ocean’s Harbor House in Toms River, New Jersey.

Their conversation provides a detailed look at how this longtime Ocean County nonprofit helps young people move beyond homelessness and housing instability by building the skills, financial foundation and support systems they need to live independently.

More Than a Place to Sleep

Ocean’s Harbor House serves young people ages 16 to 24 and describes its mission as creating a safe harbor where they can find security, guidance and the skills needed to navigate life’s challenges.

That mission is important because homelessness affects much more than housing.

Young people facing unstable housing may also be dealing with trauma, interrupted education, untreated health conditions, mental-health concerns, unemployment and the absence of adults they can consistently depend on.

Ocean’s Harbor House works to address that larger picture.

The organization’s goal is not simply to provide temporary shelter. It is to help young people create a future they can sustain after they leave.

A Supervised Transitional Living Program in Toms River

Ocean’s Harbor House operates a 12-bed supervised transitional living program at its Conifer Street location in Toms River.

Eligible residents can stay for up to 18 months, generally until shortly before age 22. During that time, they receive much more than a bedroom.

Residents participate in individualized case planning and learn the practical skills required to live independently. That can include preparing meals, managing money, maintaining a home, finding employment, completing an education, navigating transportation and learning how to interact with landlords, employers and other institutions.

The organization also provides aftercare once residents leave.

Former participants continue receiving regular check-ins, employment leads, referrals and support because the relationship does not end simply because someone moves out of the house.

Many Young People Reach Out for Help Themselves

One important point raised during the podcast is that young people do not necessarily need to come through a complicated referral process to ask for help.

Ocean’s Harbor House operates 24 hours a day, and approximately 70% of its referrals are self-referrals.

Young people frequently call directly and say they are in a bad situation, need a safe place to stay or simply need help figuring out what comes next.

The organization also receives referrals from schools, churches, nonprofit organizations and other community resources.

The program is voluntary, and prospective residents go through an interview process to determine whether they qualify and whether the program is a good fit for them.

Participation comes with expectations. Residents agree to take an active role in their own progress and work toward the goals identified in their individualized plan.

Learning That Failure Does Not Have to Be Final

One of the most memorable ideas in the episode comes from Jenny Allen, who describes Ocean’s Harbor House as the “last safe place” where young people can fail.

That does not mean failure is encouraged.

It means residents have an opportunity to make mistakes while there are still dependable adults around them who can help them understand what happened, regroup and try again.

For young people who have repeatedly experienced rejection, instability or adults who were not dependable, that can be transformative.

The program emphasizes accountability without treating every mistake as a final verdict.

Residents work at their own pace through individualized case plans. Staff members provide structure, but the young person still has to participate, make decisions and eventually take control of the direction of his or her own life.

A History of Helping Young People at the Jersey Shore

Ocean’s Harbor House has deep roots in the local community.

The organization’s story goes back to the 1980s, when local law enforcement and public officials began seeing increasing numbers of young people coming to the Jersey Shore without stable homes or family support.

An emergency youth shelter eventually opened on Windsor Avenue in 1988.

As approaches to youth homelessness evolved, the organization shifted away from short-term emergency shelter toward longer-term transitional living designed to create more lasting stability.

The current Conifer Street facility was built in 2004 specifically for that purpose.

Since then, more than 700 young people have come through the program.

Education, Employment and Health Are Part of the Plan

Stable housing is only one piece of independent living.

Ocean’s Harbor House also helps residents address the other areas that can determine whether they are able to sustain that independence.

Education is a priority. Residents are expected to complete a high school education or equivalent.

Employment is another major focus, but the organization encourages young people to think beyond simply finding the first available job.

Staff members help them consider career development, workplace skills and long-term opportunities.

Residents may also arrive with healthcare needs that have gone untreated because of unstable housing.

The program helps young people connect with medical care, mental-health support, dental care, eye care and other resources when needed.

Teaching Financial Independence Through Real Experience

Financial literacy at Ocean’s Harbor House goes beyond worksheets or classroom lessons.

Residents who are working are required to place 60% of their earnings into custodial savings accounts.

The remaining money becomes an opportunity to learn how to budget discretionary spending while understanding that income also has to cover housing, food and other necessities.

The results can be substantial.

According to the team, some residents who remain in the program for 18 months to two years leave with approximately $10,000 to $15,000 in savings they earned themselves.

That money can provide a crucial cushion when they move into independent housing and begin paying rent, utilities, food, transportation and other expenses on their own.

Ocean’s Harbor House Is Expanding Beyond Its Residential Program

The organization’s physical facility has a limited number of beds, but its ability to help young people is expanding beyond those walls.

Ocean’s Harbor House has introduced additional street outreach, school outreach, day services and drop-in support.

Young people who already have somewhere to live but need additional structure can still access case management and life-skills programming.

Services can include mock interviews, job preparation, financial literacy, housing education, lease readiness and connections to medical and mental-health services.

The team is also working directly with schools so students who need additional support can connect with Ocean’s Harbor House before their circumstances become a larger crisis.

Community Partnerships Make the Program Stronger

Ocean’s Harbor House actively invites local businesses, professionals and community organizations to participate in its work.

The staff cannot be experts in every skill a young person needs to learn.

Instead, they bring the community into the process.

Professionals may teach residents about home maintenance, finances, careers, relationships, workplace expectations or other practical skills.

Businesses can offer tours, job shadowing, internships, externships or volunteer opportunities.

These experiences expose young people to careers they may never have considered and allow them to build relationships with adults working in those fields.

For local business owners, it is an opportunity to make an impact that goes far beyond writing a check.

Opportunities for Businesses to Help

Ocean’s Harbor House is specifically looking for additional businesses and organizations that can provide volunteer opportunities for its residents.

Community service is part of the residential program, and participants have different schedules and interests.

The organization is also interested in businesses willing to offer job shadowing, internships, externships or other opportunities that introduce young people to viable career paths.

As Jenny explains during the episode, these young people are not looking for handouts. They are looking for opportunities.

Why Donations Remain Essential

Ocean’s Harbor House receives state and federal funding, but those sources do not cover the full cost of operating a 24-hour supervised transitional living program.

According to the organization, government funding accounts for approximately 60% to 65% of its budget.

The remainder must come from foundation grants, fundraising and private donations.

At the same time, the cost of operating the program continues to increase while some government funding has remained relatively stagnant.

That makes individual donors and local business supporters an important part of keeping the program available to young people who need it.

One way to help is by becoming a recurring donor through the organization’s Harbor Lights program.

Even a modest monthly contribution becomes meaningful when many members of the community participate consistently.

November Is Youth Homelessness Awareness Month

Ocean’s Harbor House is also inviting the community to participate in an upcoming event designed to raise awareness about youth homelessness.

The organization will host a walk on the Asbury Park Boardwalk on November 8 as part of Youth Homelessness Awareness Month. Register for the Walk >

The walk will begin near the historic Carousel, with registration beginning at 8:00 AM and the event running approximately 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

Participants are encouraged to put together teams and join Ocean’s Harbor House for a morning focused on awareness, community and support for young people facing homelessness.

The Ocean Avenue Stompers are scheduled to help lead the walk, and community supporters from throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties are expected to participate.

Support Ocean’s Harbor House

There are several ways individuals and businesses can support the work happening at Ocean’s Harbor House.

Visit oceansharborhouse.org to learn more about the organization, make a donation or explore ways to get involved.

Local businesses can also consider providing volunteer opportunities, internships, job shadowing, career education or practical life-skills instruction for young people participating in the program.

And if you are able to provide financial support, consider becoming a recurring monthly donor. Consistent community support helps Ocean’s Harbor House continue providing housing, guidance and opportunity to young people working toward stable, independent futures.

For young people who arrive without a dependable safety net, Ocean’s Harbor House is working to become one.

Need Help? Call 732.281.0822 Ocean’s Harbor House 24-Hour SHORE House office contact number