The Lakewood Community Coalition held its quarterly August meeting Tuesday at the historic Strand Theater in Downtown Lakewood, bringing together community leaders, health-care professionals, law enforcement officials, faith leaders and other local partners for a discussion focused on community health and mental health resources.

The August 18 meeting was co-chaired by Lakewood Police Captain Steve Allaire and Cori Scotti of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish.

Keynote speakers from Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus presented findings from the 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment and discussed several mental health initiatives, including ongoing collaboration between mental health professionals, the Lakewood Police Department and other law enforcement agencies.

Abby Masiello, MPH, CHES, highlighted findings showing that many Lakewood residents struggle with household expenses, while the township’s continued population growth has increased the need for accessible medical and mental health services.

A major focus of the meeting was Hope Hub, a new mental health facility in Lakewood designed to provide additional local support for individuals and families seeking care.

JoAnn Jason, M.A., and Randi Hershkowitz, MSN, RN, PMH-BC, discussed the Psychiatric Emergency Screening Services and Hope Hub model of care, which aims to reduce the need for conventional hospitalization while connecting patients with mental health professionals, law enforcement, social-service providers, faith communities and other community partners.

The coalition also recognized members of the Lakewood Police Department’s Community Resource Unit, including Sgt. Michael Conrad, Patrolman Jason Yahr and Joseph Soriano, along with D/Sgt. Jeannette Shimonovich, Police Social Worker Caitlin Ciaccio-Soto and Patrick Sample of the Traffic Safety Division.

Conrad highlighted several recent CRU outreach initiatives, including Pizza in the Square, Cops and Bobbers, Showers in the Square, Chill with a Cop and participation in local back-to-school events. Coalition members thanked the unit for its continued work promoting community safety, engagement and cooperation.