BARNEGAT Marty Weber, the founder of Jeff’s Camp, was incensed to find out that the Barnegat Planning Board had approved the development of a storage facility one mile from his Route 72 property. Weber intended to utilize his land to accommodate homeless veterans, and both lots are located within the Pinelands.
Melissa Snock, who took over as President and CEO of Jeff’s Camp after Weber, recalled that Marty was excited when they started construction. He went over there with Weber’s husband, Dan, and Marty made a video expressing his disgust at what transpired.
The original plan for Jeff’s Camp, a veteran-focused project based on Weber’s own tale of love, sorrow, and service, was doomed, and the land-clearing at 1490 West Bay Avenue represented a stark contrast.
But zoning differences turned out to be crucial. Additionally, even though Weber’s land is near the new storage facilities, something is different. According to Pinelands Commission standards, the proposed Jeff’s Camp is located in the most restricted area. It is in the Preserved Forest (PF) zone.
Jeff’s Camp announced in October 2022 that they will be working with Design-Matter/NJIT’s Place of Dwelling Design Team to create a site plan. Later, Jeff’s Camp filed an official application that was created in conjunction with the NJIT team; however, at a preliminary hearing, the Pinelands Commission denied it. The problem? There are too many buildings in the PF (Preserved Forest) zone.
A Promise Initiated Through Sorrow
Weber was in the Army when he first met Jeff Poissant decades ago. Together, they established a life in Barnegat, running YoBuck Landscaping before eventually acquiring 36 acres tucked away in the heart of the Pinelands. Over their ranch-style home, an American flag continues to fly.
Weber never forgot the agony of what he says was witnessing the VA’s delay in giving necessary treatment after Poissant passed away in 2017. Weber’s sorrow gave way to resolve. In 2020, he sought to represent veterans’ problems in Congress. Despite losing, he formed an alliance after speaking with now-Senator Andy Kim. In 2021, Kim stood next to Weber as he unveiled the designs for Jeff’s Camp.
A seven-bedroom sober living facility, a small village of tiny homes to house homeless veterans, and a commercial structure with wraparound services like addiction rehabilitation and mental health as well as a thrift store to sustain operations were all part of the initial, ambitious plan.
However, reality struck hard.
Weber collaborated with Paul Hulse, the CEO of Just Believe, prior to Jeff’s Camp Help for Heroes being a nonprofit organization. In order to guarantee that the land will always be Jeff’s Camp and support Ocean County veterans in need, the two even agreed to a 99-year deed limitation.
The idea of constructing something for veterans received a lot of media coverage. Weber was adamant on introducing compact houses. Hulse stated that he had explicit feedback during initial discussions that a tiny home concept would not be permitted under the current zoning, even though Just Believe never formally submitted an application to the Pinelands Commission.
In light of this, Hulse recommended switching to a single service building and set up a property survey to back up the revised strategy. In 2021, Weber revealed that he was leaving Just Believe after digging his heels in on the tiny dwellings.
Hulse has devoted his life to assisting those in need of shelter as a homeless advocate. His search has become more personal since he lost a friend who was a veteran and passed away from an overdose. Just Believe started construction on donated land last year. Nearing complete, Larry’s Home in Little Egg Harbor will provide four bedrooms in a supportive, sober setting.
Hulse expressed his support after learning that Weber plans to further up his efforts.
Since all that transpired four years ago, I haven’t spoken to Marty,” Hulse added. I hope he succeeds; it would be fantastic if he could help the veterans in some way.
From Small Houses to One Large Scheme
After 22 years of service, Snock departed from the US Army and is still employed by the civilian defense industry. She has adopted a more practical stance regarding how Jeff’s Camp may continue to assist veterans while staying within zoning restrictions. Her board, which included lawyer Gabe Franco, started coming up with ideas.
The solution? Just one structure. One goal. Numerous services.
According to Snock, our board made the decision to generate money for a single-service building. a suitable food pantry, a meeting area, and offices where qualified experts can offer assistance with addiction treatment, mental health, and housing.
They see a place for veterans to congregate and recuperate that includes basketball courts and recreational areas but no residential space.
The board is in discussions to re-engage the NJIT design team, which was initially hired to create site plans, according to Snock. “We want them to take our new vision and return with a proposal that we can present to the Pinelands Commission and Barnegat Township,” she added.
One Backpack at a Time
Jeff’s Camp has not been idle as plans change.
One outreach initiative is the Wellness Backpack Program, which provides veterans and homeless people in Ocean County with personal care supplies like aspirin, shampoo, shaving kits, and snacks. According to Snock, we keep our backpacks in our automobiles. We give one away if we notice someone in need.
In 2023, 50 care kits were sent overseas through Always Supporting Our Military thanks to a collaboration with Operation Chillout.
Despite its limitations, Jeff Camp’s food pantry, which is currently housed in two storage containers on Route 72, is still open. Volunteers and those in need are connected by phone numbers on signs.
In an effort to foster unity and exchange resources, the group is also organizing a free Veterans picnic for October 11 (with a rain date of October 12).
According to Franco, the board initially thought about repartnering with Operation Chillout to cover the services gap, but plans changed when the founder of that organization passed away, leaving a leadership void.
According to Franco, the board is currently working on developing a system that can provide wraparound veteran services on-site. We just hope the Pinelands Commission will accept one structure—no houses.
Every attempt is made in memory of Jeff Poissant and the veterans who deserve more, whether it is by providing accommodation, hot meals, or a helping hand.
Call the numbers listed on their Route 72 signage or visit their Facebook site to learn more about Jeff’s Camp or to donate to their cause.
