December 2024 Newsletter - Latest News, Updates, & Stories

The Streets Won’t Love You Back: The Journey of Tarell Jones

Tarell Jones, 38, grew up in Asbury Park during the late 80s and 90s—a time he recalls as a mix of joy and hardship. “I actually had a lot of fun as a young kid being out in the neighborhood,” he says. In those early years, his home life was stable. Tarell lived with his parents and siblings, and life felt whole.

That changed in an instant when Tarell was 10 years old. While playing at her grandmother's house, his 4-year-old sister was fatally shot. “My sister getting shot did a lot of damage to all of us,” Tarell remembers, his voice heavy with emotion. “I still remember that day like it was yesterday.” This tragedy marked a turning point, casting a long shadow over his family.

In his early teens, Tarell’s life began to shift. Around 13, he started skipping school, smoking marijuana, and getting into trouble with friends. “I was just being out in the neighborhood more, fighting and getting into mischief. Nothing crazy,” he says. But, the seeds of a dangerous lifestyle were being sown. At 16, Tarell was arrested for robbery, earning a reputation as someone not to be crossed. “I ran some guys' pockets,” he admits. “They were scared of me, so I robbed them.”

Prison hardened Tarell. By the time he was released at 17, Asbury Park had become more dangerous, and Tarell found himself carrying a gun to feel secure. “When I got out of jail, the area just seemed to be getting more dangerous,” he explains.

On a cold December night in 2004, Tarell’s life took another dramatic turn. “I was out at that time of night when nobody should be outside in Asbury Park. There's a reason they call it ‘Dark City’,” he says. What began as a fight escalated into a near-deadly encounter. “We started tussling for the gun, and I just pushed him away and tried to run. He shot me.”

The bullet hit Tarell’s spine, instantly paralyzing him. “It felt like a movie,” he recalls. “Time slowed down. I crawled, turned over, and then he walked up to me, put the gun to my head. Then he lowered it and shot me in my knee.”

Miraculously, Tarell survived, thanks to a nearby police officer and his brother, who arrived within moments of the shooting. But the aftermath was life-changing. “After I fully woke up, I lifted my gown, and I felt like I couldn't feel my legs or feet,” he says. “Everybody was looking around, trying to figure out how to tell me I was paralyzed.”

Nearly 20 years later, Tarell reflects on the life he has built since that day. “I’ve been paralyzed longer than I was walking,” he says. “I’m used to it now. My nonprofit organization helps.” In 2014, Tarell co-founded Epic Will Power alongside his cousin and a friend, both of whom are also paralyzed due to gun violence. The nonprofit focuses on speaking engagements with schools and churches, as well as running community initiatives like toy drives, food banks, and back-to-school events.

“I still remember the first time we talked to kids about violence, and they were so locked into what we were saying,” Tarell says. “The weight of our words meant something.”

In recent years, Tarell connected with Project HEAL, seeking assistance with housing and mental health support. “Dom put me in touch with Randy, and he went to work helping me out. He did a great job,” Tarell shares, highlighting Randy Scales’ persistence as Project HEAL’s Case Management Supervisor in securing handicap-accessible housing for him. Alongside Randy and Krista Peoples, a Trauma-Informed Clinician at Project HEAL, provided ongoing emotional support to ensure Tarell’s overall well-being. “Krista was great too, just staying checked in with me, making sure I was all good,” he adds.

Tarell’s partnership with Project HEAL also included him serving as a guest speaker at their annual Gun Violence Awareness Day event, where he shared his story to inspire others.

Today, Tarell uses his experiences to guide others away from the path he once walked. “That’s what I tell these kids now; 17, 18, 19 - you’re not yourself yet. Being in the streets is not worth it. If I could go back now, I’d stay in school, go to college.”

Through his work with Epic Will Power and Project HEAL, Tarell continues to be a voice of change in his community. “With time, things get better,” he says. “Stay on the course, stay on the right path. The friends you think are going to be there, won’t be. You can love the streets, but guess what? The streets won't love you back.”

Gun Violence Awareness Day 2024

In its third year partnering with the Jersey Shore University Medical Center’s (JSUMC) Trauma Department, Project HEAL hosted a truly impactful Gun Violence Awareness Day event. This year’s gathering continued the tradition of combining powerful visual displays with meaningful dialogue to raise awareness about the devastating impact of gun violence. As always, the goal was to provoke emotion and inspire action—and this year’s event succeeded in every way.

At the heart of the event was the art installation titled 91 of US^©, created in 2017 by Caileigh Nerney, daughter of JSUMC’s Trauma Injury Prevention Coordinator Tracy Nerney. The display illustrated the staggering number of lives lost daily to gun violence in 2017: 57 red t-shirts represented lives lost to suicide, 32 blue t-shirts symbolized those lost to homicide, and two yellow t-shirts represented victims of unintentional shootings. Additionally, chairs with orange sashes were included to reflect the rising death toll, which has increased from 91 fatalities per day in 2017, to 134 fatalities per day as of 2023. The display is both a sobering reminder and a call to action, leaving a lasting impression on all attendees.

This event saw increased support and representation from leaders across local, state, and federal levels. Among the notable attendees were Kristina Rose, director of the Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime; Patricia Teffenhart and Steven Campos, executive leaders of the Division of Violence Intervention and Victim Assistance under the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, Office for Violence Intervention and Prevention; and Robert Garrett, CEO, Hackensack Meridian Health. Their presence underscored the importance of collaboration in addressing the epidemic of gun violence.

Garrett expressed Hackensack Meridian Health’s dedication to this mission, stating that we are deeply committed to saving lives and building stronger communities. It's really part of our mission, which is to transform healthcare and be the leader of positive change.” He also highlighted the tragic statistics; “As the exhibit in the courtyard reminds us sadly, 134 Americans are killed by guns each day. That's more than 41,000 people each and every year.”

Director Campos offered a heartfelt reflection on his experiences in social services and the power of community collaboration. “Growing up in inner cities and working 20 years in social services, it’s been incredible to witness firsthand the power of hope we’ve been talking about,” he shared. “So, we’re going to continue to see these chairs minimize and get smaller, and we’re going to continue to see true potential and growth in our communities that we can lift up and celebrate together.”

Director Roses’ remarks focused on the role of hope and action in combating gun violence. “Optimism cannot wish things into existence. Hope requires someone to take responsibility for what they want, and then take action to achieve it. In other words, hope is a pathway to achievement,” she said. “Optimistic people see the glass half full, but hopeful people ask how they can fill it. And that perfectly describes the team here at HMH and the team at Project HEAL.”

Celebrating Community: Project HEAL’s Eventful Season in Asbury Park

As always, Project HEAL was honored to participate in the vibrant array of annual community events in Asbury Park, and this season did not disappoint! From cultural celebrations, to health and wellness outreach, the team connected with hundreds of residents while supporting causes that matter most to the community. While Project HEAL attended more than 12 events, a few highlights stood out: Juneteenth, the HMH Community Health Fair, and Asbury Park Quality of Life Community Festival.

Juneteenth has become one of Asbury Park’s most beloved events of the year. This impactful day honors the emancipation of enslaved African Americans while uplifting black culture through music, art, and community gatherings. The festivities included; live bands, spoken word poetry, cultural merchandise vendors, and free food, culminating in a powerful march that began in Neptune and concluded at Springwood Park.

More than just a celebration, Juneteenth has become a cornerstone event in Asbury Park, fostering connection, pride, and reflection. Project HEAL is proud to support this significant holiday and looks forward to its continued growth in years to come.

The HMH Community Health Fair, hosted at the Jane H. Booker Family Health Center, was another highlight of the season. This event brought together physicians, team members, and local partners to provide essential health screenings and resources for the community—all free of charge. Screenings included blood pressure, total cholesterol, glucose, stroke risk assessments, and BMI evaluations.

Additionally, HMH team members provided education on healthy nutrition, social work consultation, and other vital services. Partners at Fulfill Food Bank contributed food donations, ensuring those in need left with not just health guidance but also tangible support. Project HEAL was honored to collaborate with HMH and its partners to promote wellness and meet the needs of the Asbury Park community.

Wrapping up the summer and ushering in the fall, the Asbury Park Quality of Life Community Festival was a perfect celebration of connection and care. This lively event featured bouncy houses, food trucks, a DJ, free haircuts for kids, and healthcare screenings—all in a festive atmosphere designed to uplift and remind residents of the resources available to them. Project HEAL joined other local organizations in sharing services and engaging with the community, creating a joyful and impactful day for all involved.

The Project HEAL team extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who interacted with our team menmbers this year. These events remind us why we do what we do—to empower and connect with the people who make our community so special. We can’t wait to see you all out and about next summer as we continue to build stronger, healthier communities together!

Project HEAL Wraps Up the Year with 24 Stop the Bleed Trainings and Kit Distributions

This year, Project HEAL achieved a significant milestone with its Stop the Bleed initiative, completing 24 training sessions and distributing life-saving kits to organizations and businesses across Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

Stop the Bleed was first introduced to Project HEAL by Tracy Nerney, the Trauma Injury Prevention Coordinator at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. After collaborating with Tracy on various projects, it became clear there was a need to bring these trainings and kits to high-crime areas where they could save lives.

With the support of grant funding and community partnerships that provided valuable data, Project HEAL secured 50 kits and identified key high-need locations for their placement. Initially aiming to place 10-12 kits by the end of the year, the team far exceeded expectations, training 14 organizations and providing each with a Stop the Bleed kit. Some organizations had multiple locations, bringing the total number of kits distributed to 24 for the year.

The kits were placed in organizations and businesses located in communities such as Asbury Park, Long Branch, Red Bank, Lakewood, Freehold, and Neptune, NJ. Each training session equipped participants with the skills needed to respond to bleeding emergencies, potentially making the difference between life and death in critical moments.

As the year comes to a close, Project HEAL is planning a few final training sessions before shifting focus to expand the initiative in 2025. This life-saving program continues to make a profound impact in the communities that need it most.

If you or your organization is interested in hosting a Stop the Bleed training session, please contact Chris Kuhn, Content & Outreach Coordinator for Project HEAL, at Christopher.kuhn@hmhn.org. Our team will work with you to accommodate your schedule and location, ensuring your group is trained and certified.

CCR Rounds Out the Year with an Impactful Final Meeting

In an effort to address violence at a macro level within the communities served by Project HEAL, the Coordinated Community Response (CCR) initiative has made significant strides this year. Spearheaded by Project HEAL and in partnership with Montclair State University (MSU), CCR is committed to using data-driven and evidence-informed strategies to drive meaningful change and create safer communities. The ultimate goal of CCR is to bring gun-related deaths in Monmouth County to zero.

The CCR held its first official meeting in February 2024, launching a quarterly series of discussions and actions involving over fifteen organizations across Monmouth County. These meetings provided a platform for stakeholders to engage in tough but necessary conversations and, more importantly, take tangible actions against violence.

Throughout the year, stakeholders explored key initiatives such as cross-training, the Stop the Bleed program, the establishment of safe spaces, and the development of a credible messenger program.

The proposed credible messenger program aims to develop an academy where participants can receive training and tools to help both their communities and themselves. This innovative approach hopes to foster trust, reduce violence, and empower community members to lead change from within.

The final CCR meeting of the year, held on December 3, 2024, at Blackbird Community Commons, was one of the most impactful yet. The session featured an inspiring talk by Project HEAL standout “Lil Randy,” who shared his personal journey and fielded questions from community members and CCR stakeholders.

When asked how to reach young people on the streets and steer them in the right direction, Randy’s words silenced the room:

“You gotta come out and meet us where we are—on the corners, on the basketball court, places where we’re getting into trouble. I can’t tell you how many assemblies at school I fell asleep for. You gotta come out and be raw, meet us where we’re at, and mean what you say. That’s how you’re going to change minds.”

Project HEAL staff beamed with pride at Randy’s powerful message, viewing it as a catalyst for future action. His insights underscored the importance of the credible messenger program and the need to get it off the ground in the coming year.

The meeting also featured guest speaker Brother Daamin, former director of the Newark Community Street Team and current Training Coordinator for the Community Based Public Safety Collective. His expertise in violence intervention practices and program development provided CCR partners with valuable insights into how credible messengers can work in tandem with law enforcement and strengthen referral systems for community members in need.

As CCR moves into 2025, it aims to sustain its momentum through quarterly meetings, deepening partnerships with community organizations and governmental entities. By prioritizing collaboration and proactive strategies, CCR is committed to creating safer, more resilient communities where violence is effectively addressed and mitigated.