Hackensack churches come together to address drug addictionLast updated: Sunday August 7, 2011, 10:22 PM
BY MONSY ALVARADO
STAFF WRITER
The Record
HACKENSACK — There was plenty of prayer Sunday in the south end of the city where hundreds gathered to hear about the perils of drugs and alcohol addiction, and places to seek help.
TYSON TRISH / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Deborah Torres of Hackensack performing during Sunday's CityServe outreach event, sponsored by a number of churches in Hackensack.
CityServe, an event sponsored by several Hackensack churches, was held in the front yard of the Mellone and Marinello Recreation Center on Holt Street, where a stage was erected and the audience heard songs from local performers with religious messages and testimony from those who have overcome addictions.
Attendees included parishioners of the churches that organized the event, volunteers, neighborhood residents with their young children, and several representatives of social service agencies located in Hackensack. Organizers said the aim was to reach out to teens at risk for gang violence and to those who struggle with chemical dependencies.
"This provides an answer for them to come out of their addictions," said the Rev. Gary Schmidt, a pastor at The Summit Church, one of the congregations that organized the event. "It’s up to them to seek help, but if it helps one person, then that is good."
The Rev. Arthur Shadwick, senior pastor at The Gathering Church, said organizers also want to provide assistance to family and friends of those with addictions.
"This could be a place where they can find hope for their family and their loved ones," Shadwick said.
CityServe was held in a 1st Ward neighborhood where residents have long complained about drug problems and inebriated adults on the streets. In 2009, a 20-year-old Teaneck man was found stabbed near the recreation center. He died of his injuries a week later. Authorities arrested two alleged gang members in the killing.
The Rev. Bill von Husen from The Summit Church said CityServe had its roots from a conversation he had with Jairo Daza, of Faith Fellowship in Sayreville, a former Hackensack resident who was interested in starting an outreach program. The same day, the Rev. Brian Laffler of the Church of St. Anthony of Padua in Hackensack called him about drug problems in his congregation and neighborhood.
Laffler also told von Husen about a book he was reading on the creation of Teen Challenge, an international service organization providing help to drug addicts. Laffler suggested the churches do something similar.
"We saw a God movement coming together," von Husen said.
Laffler, president of the Hackensack Clergy Association, said the churches in that group had already talked about starting an outreach program in the city. He called Sunday's event a success, saying that at least three people from his church who need help to overcome addictions attended.
Daza, a Staten Island resident and the keynote speaker, spoke about his 20-year addiction to cocaine, crack and alcohol, and urged residents to pray and look to God for help. Teen Challenge in Brooklyn sent participants of its recovery program and they also talked about their battles with drugs and alcohol.
Before the event ended, more than 1,000 free hot dogs were doled out and more than 100 bags of food pantry items were distributed to the needy.
Several social service agencies were on hand to distribute literature in English and Spanish about the programs they offer for families, youth and those with addictions.
Juan Sebastian Marin, 20, said the event was a good way to promote young performers, and listen to good messages.
"The theme out of it is very inspiring, and that's to promote a safe environment for the town of Hackensack," he said.
Other sponsors include New Canaan Worship Center, The River Church at the Church on the Green, Trinity Baptist Church, St. Francis R.C. Church, The First Presbyterian Church of Hackensack, Holy Trinity R.C. Church and The Salvation Army.
CityServe was attended by Mayor Jorge Meneses and council members John Labrosse, Karen Sasso and Marlin Townes.
E-mail: alvarado@northjersey.com