Morris County hosts fourth annual Community Resource Exchange to connect leaders and nonprofits
MORRIS COUNTY, N.J. — Nearly 50 organizations joined local leaders and service providers for the fourth annual Community Resource Exchange, a countywide fair and networking event hosted by the Morris County Department of Human Services in partnership with the Morris County Continuum of Care, Family Promise of Morris County, the Interfaith Food Pantry Network, and ARC/Morris.
The exchange is designed to connect government officials and community leaders with nonprofit and public agencies that provide assistance to vulnerable residents, expanding awareness of the wide variety of services available in Morris County.
“This is a perfect example of how we can leverage our resources by partnering with the many nonprofits that provide essential services in our communities. At any moment, anyone can find themselves in crisis. Today’s event helps ensure everyone is aware of the resources available,” said Morris County Commissioner Deputy Director Stephen Shaw.
This year’s gathering drew mayors, council members, administrators, school and public health officials, members of the faith-based community, and representatives from the offices of U.S. Rep. Tom Kean, Jr., U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, and U.S. Sen. Andy Kim.
The program included presentations on New Jersey’s 988 suicide prevention helpline. “In New Jersey, we have four lifeline crisis centers capable of handling calls, texts and chats,” said Karen Wapner, state lead for 988 and regional coordinator for the Office of Community Services, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services. “We are positioned to respond quickly, meeting people where they are and connecting them with the support they need.”
Wapner also highlighted the Mobile Crisis Outreach Response Team (MCORT), launched in March 2025 and operated locally by Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services. “The goal is to deescalate the crisis and link individuals to ongoing services. We’ve even had situations where MCORT helped facilitate hospital care in a safe and supportive way,” she said.
Keynote speaker Adam Weckenmann, LCSW, clinical co-responder for the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office’s ARRIVE Together program, discussed the initiative’s growth since its launch in January 2024. “The program started with 10 towns and four mental health clinicians. It has since expanded to every municipality in Morris County and now has a team of six full-time clinicians. In 2025, ARRIVE has responded to 559 mental health related calls and has received 788 referrals from law enforcement departments for follow-up,” Weckenmann said.
“We hope that this forum expands awareness of the many services available to your neighbors, your constituents, students and parishioners,” said Carolyn Lake, executive director of the Interfaith Food Pantry Network.
“When you go out to network, think of the calls you receive and the people who turn to you for help. The conversations and connections you make here can assist someone today, and someone you may know in the future,” added Kasey Errico, director of the Morris County Department of Human Services.
The event was organized by a steering committee that included Errico; Joann Bjornson and Holly Dinneny of Family Promise of Morris County; Alicia Alvarez, chair of the Morris County Continuum of Care Executive Committee; Carolyn Lake, Shana Baer, and Julia Murtha of the Interfaith Food Pantry Network; and Laura Jennings Pitt of ARC/Morris.
For more information on the Community Resource Exchange and resources available throughout Morris County, visit mccrex.com/morris-county-resources/.
