MORRISTOWN, N.J. (Morris County) — Morris County officials marked the ninth anniversary of the Hope One mobile outreach program with a community resource event highlighting its role in addressing addiction and mental health needs.
Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw joined Sheriff James M. Gannon and Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll at Calvary Baptist Church for the event, which brought together more than 30 service providers to connect residents with support services.
Originally launched in 2017, Hope One is a mobile unit that travels throughout the county to provide resources for individuals and families facing substance use and mental health challenges.
“It is remarkable to reflect on how this effort began in 2017, starting out of a repurposed vehicle and growing into a program now recognized far beyond Morris County,” Director Shaw said. “Hope One introduced a new approach by meeting people where they are, with zero judgment and zero stigma. That approach has made it possible to build trust and open doors to recovery. Its success is driven by strong partnerships across county government, law enforcement and community organizations working toward a common goal.”
This year’s anniversary event was held as a resource fair rather than a traditional symposium, allowing attendees to engage directly with organizations offering services such as housing assistance, mental health support and addiction recovery programs.
County officials said the Board of Commissioners has supported the initiative with more than $820,000 in opioid settlement funding over the past two years, along with additional allocations in the 2026 budget for homelessness assistance and prevention.
“This celebration of Hope One on its nine-year anniversary is very special,” said Sheriff Gannon. “We saw a need for outreach and created a program on the fly, with no blueprint. The impact has been tremendous. There have been so many connections made, lives touched and people saved. The outreach will continue, and Hope One will be there to help lift people out of darkness and into the light of hope.”
Since its launch, Hope One has made more than 71,700 contacts with residents, distributed over 13,600 naloxone kits and facilitated more than 2,100 referrals to services. Officials said naloxone administered through the program has been used in 193 instances to save or attempt to save lives.
“I thank all of the organizations here for what you do. The impact you have saves lives,” said Prosecutor Carroll. “These programs give people another option that didn’t exist before and help ensure individuals are guided toward the right path. By working together, we’re continuing to expand opportunities for recovery and successful reintegration, and we’re continuing to build up our communities.”
Hope One is staffed through a partnership among the Sheriff’s Office, the Morris County Department of Human Services, the Mental Health Association and the Center for Addiction Recovery Education and Success. The team includes a law enforcement officer, a certified peer recovery specialist and a mental health professional.
Officials said the program has also led to additional initiatives, including Hope Hub, the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative, and Community Connections, all aimed at expanding access to services and reducing risks for vulnerable populations.
The model has been adopted by nine other counties across New Jersey.
During the event, Sheriff Gannon recognized several individuals involved in the program, including Cpl. Chelsea Whiting, who now leads Hope One, and Madine Despeine-Udoh of the Mental Health Association, both of whom are set to receive recognition from the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.
More information about the Hope One program is available through the Morris County website.
