A $1 million gift from a New Jersey businessman will help two rescue missions combat homelessness.
NEWARK -- A gift to a New York rescue mission has allowed the shelter to team up with a similar non-profit in Newark to benefit the homeless in the city, according to a press release issued by the organization.
In April 2016, the release said, The Bowery Mission received a $1 million gift from New Jersey businessman Vivek Garipalli--founder of local hospital system CarePoint Health--to join forces with the Goodwill Rescue Mission in Newark.
The gift will allow The Bowery Mission to assume control of the operations of Goodwill Rescue Mission, yet the majority of the money, the release said, is to be used "exclusively for the benefit of the homeless in Newark."
"The Bowery Mission brings a 137-year track record of excellence in compassionate care and life transformation programs for the homeless and poor of New York City," said Jan Nagel, chairwoman of The Bowery Mission and interim chair of the Goodwill Rescue Mission. "The Bowery Mission will carry forward Goodwill's 120-year legacy of service with the poor, homeless and addicted of Newark."
Goodwill, Nagel said, will be better positioned to meet the increases in poverty and homelessness with the management resources of The Bowery Mission.
David P. Jones, president and CEO of The Bowery Mission, now leads both operations, but each organization, the release said, will continue to operate as separate nonprofits, "distinctly branded and...wholly supported by donations from its own donor base."
The exception being Garipalli's gift.
This latest mega-donation isn't Garipalli's first. Earlier this year, it was reported that the 38-year-old, who is also the co-founder of Clover Health, was behind a mysterious $1 million donation to a Super PAC that was connected to Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop.
The news that Garipalli made the seven-figure contribution was included in a campaign finance report filed in June by the Super PAC, Coalition for Progress. CarePoint owns three hospitals in Hudson County, including Christ Hospital in Jersey City.
According to the release, Garipalli has been a supporter of The Bowery Mission since he witnessed the organization's efforts during Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
"Vivek Garipalli has demonstrated philanthropic leadership to The Bowery Mission over the past four years and is now leading the way with a $1 million investment to extend the outcomes-based strategies of The Bowery Mission into Newark," said Jones. "It is our hope that this gift will inspire others to get involved with Goodwill Rescue Mission. With this generous help, we plan to reach the more than 5,000 people who are homeless in Newark and its immediate neighbor communities."
Michael Anthony Adams may be reached at madams@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MichaelAdams317. Find NJ.com on Facebook.