SHIP, the Samaritan Homeless Interim Program, began operations on March 5, 1984 in response to the unheeded cry of the many women, children and men who are in desperate need of emergency housing and associated services.
SHIP is a faith based, interfaith and community funded, assisted and supported, grassroots organization.
Our clients are the homeless, near-homeless, working poor families, and individuals in Somerset County Regions who are not able to obtain assistance from government or other private agencies, and are therefore denied a opportunity to receive the basic humane assistance they need and deserve. Clients coming to SHIP, in desperate need of help, include many that suffer from substance abuse dependency, HIV/AIDS, mental health issues, the homeless and near homeless working poor, hunger or isolation. Services tailored to each individual's need, and vary in duration according to each individual or families situation. We provide this unique population with critically needed emergency interim housing opportunities, interim counseling, and support services, that greatly enhancing their chances of regaining their self-sufficiency again.
SHIP is dedicated to improving the quality of life for the poor. Clients are eligible to apply for all SHIP's Programs and Services.
THERE ARE NO FEES CHARGED FOR SERVICES.
SHIP is a registered charitable agency in the State of New Jersey and operates as a tax-exempt corporation within the scope of the Internal Revenue Code 501-C-3. SHIP services are primarily funded by donations received from area churches, groups, and individuals. SHIP does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, or handicapped status in employment or provision of services.
Meet the Team
Tom O’Leary, LCADC, CCJS
CEO/Executive Director
John Grebeck
Managing Director
Board of Trustees
CHAIRMAN
Craig Voorhees, Esq.
Craig is an associate with the local Somerville Law Firm of Liberman, Ryan and Forrest. He was born and raised in Somerset County. He currently resides in Hillsborough with his wife Eleanor, who is a fine artist and muralist. Her artwork can be found in residences throughout the State of New Jersey and Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
EDUCATION: Albany Law School of Union University, Albany, NY J.D. Candidate, May 1997. Seton Hall University Law School, Newark, NJ Visiting student, 199697, Rutgers College, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ B.A. Political Science, May 1993. Admitted into practice in New Jersey and New York.
SOMERSET COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE, Somerville, NJ Assistant Prosecutor, June 1998 to present Assigned to screening, juvenile, domestic violence and appellate sections. Legal advisor to municipal police departments. Represented the State’;s interest in a variety of criminal proceedings including juvenile prosecutions, domestic violence complaints, probation violation hearings, sentences, pleas and municipal appeals. Legal research and writing in numerous areas of criminal law. He also performs legal research and writing in areas of real property, contracts, municipal and school law. Drafted briefs, pleadings, motions, and interrogatories. Court appearances; attended depositions and arbitrations. He performed real estate closings. Daily client contact.
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT, Newark, NJ Law Intern for Honorable Nicholas H. Politan, Summer 1996 Researched in habeas, social security, motions and other related civil litigation matters and the preparation of memoranda in connection thereto.
LAW PROJECT OF PENNSYLVANIA, Philadelphia, PA Jesuit Volunteer Corps, fulltime, August 1993 to August 1994 Intake and client services. He interviewed potential clients. Worked closely with staff attorneys in resolving an assortment of legal problems that impoverished HIV+ individual’s encounter. He referred clients to legal counsel and social service organizations.
VICE-CHAIRMAN
Father Joseph Lugo
Father Joe is a long-time resident of Bridgewater, NJ where he currently resides with his mother. He attended Boston College, Mount Saint Mary’s College and Seaton Hall University and received his BA in 1956. He received an M.S. in Psychology from Seaton Hall in 1967 and his M.Div. from Seaton Hall in 1980. He has held teaching assignments at the United States Air Force Academy, College of Saint Elizabeth, Bayley Ellerd High School and Immaculate Conception Seminary.
Father Joe has performed his duties a chaplain at many military bases throughout the world. His Chaplaincies include instruction in substance abuse, individual counseling, personal issues counseling, crisis intervention and referrals.
He clerical affiliations include Holy Rosary Church - Dover, Saint James Church in Totowa, Saint Joseph’s Church in Patterson, Holy Family Church in Florham Park, Saint Lawrence Church in Chester, Sacred Heart Church in New Brunswick, Saint Elizabeth’s College in Convent Station, Bayley Ellard High School in Madison, Saint Madeline’s Church in Flemington and Saint Ann’s Church in Raritan.
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
John W. Mooney
John and his family live in Neshanic Station, NJ. He has been employed at National Starch and Chemical Company in Bridgewater for the past 27 years. He is a Divisional VP, E-Business. John holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from Rutgers College and an MBA from Rider College. He is currently a Board Member of SCCOAH (Somerset County Coalition on Affordable Housing).
SECRETARY
TBD
Carl Spolarich
I retired in 1991 as a manager from NJ Bell / Bell Atlantic / Verizon after working in the Buildings Operations and the Vehicle Operations departments for 35 years. I operated my own business for 15 years until recently retiring again.
I have been serving as an elected Fire Commissioner in Bridgewater Township for 10 years. I hold the position of Treasurer of the Board. I am also a member of Finderne Engine Company #1 in Bridgewater. My wife Dorothy and I have been married 42 years. Together we have 4 sons and 6 grandchildren.
When I first encountered Tom and SHIP, in 1992, I was serving as a Vestry member and Warden at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Somerville. At that time, I was Chairman of a grants committee and was impressed with the mission and scope of the SHIP organization.
Since that encounter I have been associated with Tom and SHIP in some small way, working in the Soup Kitchen for about the last 9 years. I accompanied Tom to Manhattan with SHIP in October 2001 to provide hot meals to the rescue and recovery workers at the Ground Zero site.
Working in the Soup Kitchen has been one of the most enlightening life experiences I have had. Seeing the services SHIP provides and filling the gaps left by other agencies and organizations has always been a source of amazement. It is without a doubt an honor to serve as a Board member of this organization
Jeannine Cavanaugh
Church of the Immaculate Conception – Social Ministry Director
Jeanine Cossette Cavanagh has extensive experience in Social Ministry and coordinating volunteer efforts. Following graduation from Seton Hall University in 1988, Jeanine furthered her education by obtaining a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Ministry from Seton Hall University, Immaculate Conception School of Theology. During her studies Jeanine worked for Seton Hall University’s Campus Ministry as a student worker, and then a Graduate Assistant.
As Jeanine was completing her studies at the School of Theology, it was becoming obvious that the volunteerism component of Campus Ministry was growing to be more than a Graduate Assistant position. It was at this point that Jeanine, charged with this task, developed and founded a department dedicated to providing students with volunteer opportunities. This was the beginning of Seton Hall’s Division of Volunteer Efforts (DOVE), and in 1990, following graduation; Jeanine took on the full-time position as Director of DOVE. The Seton Hall student’s education was augmented by exposure to service while emphasizing the Catholic experience of the University by introducing them to the virtues of serving others. DOVE was a huge success for the University, the students and the thousands served throughout the years. During this time Jeanine also served on the Board of Directors for Camp Fatima of New Jersey.
In 1994, following the birth of her first daughter, Jeanine resigned from DOVE to dedicate herself to her growing family. In 1996, Jeanine began to work part-time for Immaculate Conception Parish in Somerville as the Director of Social Ministry. Since then, Jeanine has continued to expand outreach ministry at Immaculate Conception Parish, while raising her four children with her husband, Jim.
Immaculate Conception Parish now boasts a vibrant Social Ministry department which connects parish volunteers to local outreach opportunities such as SHIP, Habitat for Humanity, as well as various fundraising efforts, specific ministries that serve the sick, struggling families, women, mothers, the marginalized and an outreach to the poor of Appalachia. Once again, Jeanine’s work has provided many beneficiaries including the Immaculate Conception parishioners, the parish grammar school and high school students, and thousands of persons served by volunteers and ministered to. Jeanine currently serves on the Board of Director’s for SHIP and continues a harried schedule of raising her family, work at the parish, volunteering and ministering too many in a variety of ways.
Paul W. Armstrong, President Emeritus
Honorable Paul W. Armstrong, JSC (ret). MA, JD, LL.M, is a Senior Policy Fellow and Judge in Residence. With over 50 years of experience in law and healthcare, Judge Armstrong has brought distinguished value to healthcare systems across the globe. His passion for helping others through the voice of law has brought freedom and justice to those in need. In 1976, Judge Armstrong fought the landmark case of Karen Ann Quinlan where he pioneered patient rights and brought to light the concept of living wills across the world. His distinguished legal career led him to be nominated to the Superior Court by the State Governor and began his journey as a Judge in the Spring of 2000. As a judge, he has presided over many notable cases in American history, such as the Charles Cullen case. He is currently teaching Healthcare Ethics and Law and the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy where he brings his prolific experiences to the classroom.
Tim Walsh
As a lifelong resident of Somerville, Tim Walsh embodies a deep connection to the community, with family roots stretching back multiple generations. A proud graduate of Immaculate Conception and Immaculata High Schools, he pursued his passion for design at Raritan Valley College and NJIT, majoring in Architecture. Tim’s professional journey began with a successful 30-year career as an Account Representative at a major publication. He then transitioned to a new chapter, following his true passion for buildings and architecture by embarking on a second career in Real Estate. His commitment to community service is exemplified through his involvement with The Somerville/Bridgewater Rotary Club, where he serves as Club Secretary, and the Samaritan Homeless Initiative Program (SHIP). Tim first engaged with SHIP through his church’s soup kitchen, finding the experience both enlightening and rewarding. Outside of his professional and volunteer endeavors, Tim is passionate about landscaping, focusing on plantings that protect and enhance the environment and nourish local wildlife. He also enjoys biking, trail riding, and spending time at the Jersey Shore.