Shining a light on homelessness in and around Trenton,

thestreetlight.pages.tcnj.edu Winter 2018-19 . I ssue 15. FREE New Program Offers Care to Pregnant Woman Experiencing Homelessness By Hannah Keyes The opioid epidemic has been services, basic needs such as food and reaching astronomical levels, as it has clothing, and child care for dependents. been categorized as one of the worst Susan Lougherty, the Director of drug crises in the United States to date. Operations for CCDoT, mentioned According to the Trenton Health Team, that the program is open to anyone, a collaborative program that addresses regardless of their insurance status and health care in Trenton, “New Jersey operates all twenty-four hours of the day. continues to be a national leader when it After receiving a two-year $4 million comes to opioid addiction – both in the grant, CCDoT was able to expand scope of the impact on the state, and in its Certified Community Behavioral the public and private response to the Health Clinic (CCBHC) program disease. More than 1,600 state residents in underrepresented areas of Mercer died of opioid related issues in 2016.” and Burlington Counties. With this Within this population of drug significant funding, the agency plans to addicted individuals, pregnant women extend its outreach to those who need it have not received much attention or care the most, specifically certain populations due to a lack of coordination between of people who have repeatedly been maternal health and addiction medicine. denied the help that they need. Not However, there are now programs that enough recovery programs accept are desperately trying to fight this. pregnant women due to the complex and In January 2018, Capital Health, specialized care that they require, which Catholic Charities Diocese of Trenton can lead to women becoming fearful and (CCDoT), the Trenton Health Team, unwilling to seek help. the Rescue Mission of Trenton, Henry While there are similar programs such J. Austin Health Center, and HomeFront “Queen” as Mother Child in Camden County that introduced a new program called For by Warcheerah Kilima assists pregnant women experiencing My Baby and Me (FMBM) that focuses homelessness, FMBM is unique in its on addressing the needs of addicted FMBM receive plenty of care throughout addiction treatment, peer recovery pregnant women who are homeless or at their stay. Clients receive medical care and relapse prevention counseling and Continued on Page 2 risk for homelessness. through all stages of pregnancy, birth support, mental health services, housing The women who are enrolled in and postpartum, medication-assisted assistance, transportation, employment

Pages 6 & 7 For My Baby and Me Continued from Page 1 approach since it explicitly aims to help here. I was really scared once I found out Poetry Campuses Across NJ Begin pregnant women overcome their drug I was pregnant again, especially since I Library addiction in order to become healthy for found out so late,” Sabrina explained. Nour Addressing Food Insecurity both themselves and their babies. She discovered that she was having By Marriana Asavero, Jared Kofsky, and Joshua Trifari FMBM uses a holistic partner a baby 23 weeks into her pregnancy. I want to cry A recent report in NPR stated lingering effects of the recession approach that allows pregnant women Before coming to FMBM, she stated that My head between my hands Tears fill my eyes that 36 percent of college students all increase students’ vulnerability to get the best treatment possible. she experienced a lot of judgment from My fingers confused For example, HomeFront provides nurses and doctors at some hospitals. When I look back. nationwide say they are food to food insecurity, Wilson said to How I can get shelter and housing, CCDoT provides However, Sabrina was referred to All this quiet insecure while nine percent Rutgers Today. My mind quiet. substance abuse treatment and has the FMBM and although she was at first Here and in imagination identify as homeless. The report The Daily Targum reported in All this quiet here lead on case management, and Rescue skeptical due to it being so different from cited a survey published by September 2018 that $2 million Yes, I’ve tried to get myself Mission answers the 24/7 hotline a generic rehab center, she believes it has Close to me. Temple University and Wisconsin would be donated to extend the and provides peer support. Different saved her life. I would cry HOPE Labs that found that in services that Rutgers already I put my head between my hands services are provided by different “My quality of life has improved My years of addition, 36 percent of students provides for its students in need, The noise follows me partners, which makes it a collective tremendously. The program is just great. The street-suffering noise, face housing insecurity. In the fall such as food pantries. Around the beauty, effort for a common cause. The nurses here are awesome and very Children, children of 2016, Rutgers University-New In order to increase the The color traditional. “The program [FMBM] is able supportive. Without everyone’s support In the middle of the night. Brunswick took the initiative to accessibility of the pantry, Life teaches me to achieve results through the holistic here and my family, I couldn’t have done I try to get myself lighten the burden for students improvements have been suggested How I breathe the quiet partner approach. Each community all of this,” stated Sabrina. My power. struggling to put food on their to the program, including an Inside me partner brings strength to this model The women who go through the I’m weak dorm room tables. extension of hours, particularly through their expertise in their specific program have to work extremely hard To make art. For a university like Rutgers on the weekends, for student who area and their ability to rapidly scale to recover. At FMBM they receive “Afro” in nearby Middlesex County, the spend most of their week in class to meet the individualized needs of all a tremendous amount of support to by Warcheerah Kilima largest college in New Jersey, or at work. of those we are serving through this help get them to a healthy state of it is not surprising that there is a Rutgers University is not the system,” Lougherty stated. mind and being. need for the school to provide only Garden State institution that FMBM began as a collaboration of In regards to the women who have aid for a population of students has a food pantry. Locally, in healthcare and social service providers successfully completed the program, Man in Mind Poetry facing these crises. The Rutgers Mercer County, in the Trenton area. Doctors at Capital nursing supervisor at CCDoT for Derrick Branch Student Food Pantry (RSFP) is also has a similar resource. Health recognized that the attention and FMBM, Lisa Merritt mentioned that a new operation that is centrally According to Rider’s website, the treatment of the population of pregnant “it’s definitely really rewarding for all Within my mind I see a room located for students, who are not food pantry opened in February of women was being lost. FMBM was of the treatment team because we want Its walls are blind, but made of glass required to make an appointment last year. able to provide support to Capital Health to set them up for success so that they Within these walls there sits a man to take advantage of the facility’s “The pantry responds to the in their initiative to reduce instances of can sustain the home that we put them And that man he wears a mask services. The food pantry offers unmet needs of Rider students, with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). in, or the job that they get at the end filling options, such as pasta and special consideration for homeless The efforts on both ends have produced of the treatment here. You see them He hopes and prays and sits and waits rice, with important supplements and low-income students and those positive impacts on many pregnant slowly grow, even in their appearance For the day he could reveal his face like protein included. Rutgers with food insecurity,” said Ida women’s lives. one month later, three months later, six And what he wants, and what he needs students only need to bring their Tyson, the associate Director of To date, there have been nearly months later. Everything improves: Are on the opposite side of the glass. campus ID upon arrival and fill out Rider’s Educational Opportunity 40 pregnant women who have gone appearance, health, and motivation.” But he doesn’t attempt to break through the glass a brief identification form before Program and co-chair for the through the program, including Sabrina being able to take advantage of the pantry’s steering committee. who was able to quit her addictive drug For My Baby and Me Because he fears he may get cut food pantry’s services. In addition to providing food habits and give birth to a healthy child. (609) 256-7801 And if he’s cut then he will bleed “People have an image of what essentials to students, the pantry “I totally hit rock bottom before I came Staff Available 24/7 And if he bleeds then he may die they think a college student is,” also provides toiletries and winter So this man waits for someone else Kelli Wilson, Rutgers’ Director coats. The other three colleges To break through the glass from the opposite side. of Off-Campus Living and in the greater Trenton area, The Artwork in this issue is availiable for purchase Community Partnerships, told College of New Jersey (TCNJ), I know this man I know him well Rutgers Today. “Many college , and Mercer Trenton Community A-TEAM The mask he wears is made of gold students are working multiple County Community College, do not 51 North Stockon Street For this gold he pays a price jobs to pay their way while taking yet have a food pantry for students. The price he pays, his mortal soul classes. A dining plan is probably However, at TCNJ’s Ewing Trenton, NJ 08618 the easiest thing for them to cut out campus, Associate Dean of Long must he wait or will he try or cut short on if they are paying Students Elizabeth Gallus told [email protected] “Botanical Garden” To break through the glass or simply die. their tuition.” The Streetlight that a food pantry (609) 421- 0793 by Sharon Jackson Rising tuition combined is expected to open in the spring with declining financial aid and of 2019. pg 2 . The Streetlight Winter 2018-19 . pg 3 Trenton Soup Kitchen Expands By Joshua Trifari Heroes Poetry An air of excitement looms over the taking place in the original building. By Jared Kofsky Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK). The The expansion will help improve Pervis Upshur many noises that accompany construction many of the programs that the soup Heroes never give up. provide a backdrop to the daily business of kitchen already offers. Classrooms will Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora the soup kitchen and oftentimes interrupts be added, along with a computer lab and Heroes never give up; they always make the right decisions. For the last several months, New temporary shelters. The other thing is A hero can be anyone who has the right vision. tutoring and meal service. The 3,400 a testing center, all of which are expected Jersey’s capital has been under new that we are the state capital so we need square foot expansion was expected to be to greatly improve the adult education leadership. W. Reed Gusciora, a the state and the county to be very much Growing up, I didn’t know the life I wanted to live in, completed by the beginning of the winter. program, though no new programs are former state assemblyman and adjunct a partner because if you look at the other but the life that I got was what boys that like There are some disappointments, as currently slated to be added, according professor at The College of New Jersey, communities that surround us, they offer getting in trouble lead. some eager staff harp lightly about their to Rivera. was sworn into office as Trenton’s 56th very few homelessness services and parking spaces being displaced. Overall, Reed Gusciora, Trenton’s new mayor, mayor in July. With the 2018 Point- they really need to step up to the plate so however, patrons and employees alike are toured the construction site in November. in-Time Count finding that overall that everyone doesn’t just get funneled I used to be one of those boys that wanted to be in big crowds. excited for these new changes, just in time “They’ll have the capacity to serve more homelessness has increased in New into the capital city. Now I know that when I’m around, they are going to look at me Jersey, The Streetlight wanted to know The Streetlight: If you could have it because they feel like I don’t belong. for the festivity of the holiday season. of the homeless population in the near how Gusciora plans to address the issue your way as mayor, what would that “I am very excited,” said Phyllis future,” Gusciora told The Streetlight. on the local level. Here is a preview of look like to have other communities When the police roll up, I stand out because I don’t belong. Blassingame, a longtime patron of the The expansion comes at a time when Managing Editor Jared Kofsky’s Q+A step up to the plate? I stand out like a target because I’m not one of them. I’m stand- soup kitchen. She participates in the the latest Point-In-Time Count of people with the mayor from November. Gusciora: I think that they should ing out in front of the crowd. adult GED program and also volunteers, experiencing homelessness in New The Streetlight: Why do you have an obligation to offer some kind helping with meal service. “I am looking Jersey concluded that homelessness think Trenton has such a significant of temporary housing and bring the forward to having a classroom where we increased between 2017 and 2018. population of people experiencing services to them directly, whether it be I’m thinking about all of the ways to get away from that crowd, can learn.” TASK has been at its Escher Street homelessness? What do you think mental health or addiction services, and I am finding that sometimes people can’t get away all the the cause [of homelessness] might be rather than just give somebody bus fare “Untitled” Dennis, another patron who is location since 1991. Since then, it has time. on the local level? to the capital city. I don’t think that really by Derrick Branch friends with Blassingame, expressed served over a million meals, whilst Gusciora: On the local level, a lot is responsive. a similar sentiment. “I am just looking simultaneously offering programs that of it is mental health and addiction The Streetlight: Is there any plan forward to having more space,” he told are designed to improve the quality of life services are needed. The other thing is specifically for increasing services The Streetlight. of its patrons. that we’re such a transient town. We addressing youth homelessness such Newspaper Serves Italians Experiencing Homelessness However, the path to expansion wasn’t “I’m optimistic that the expansion have four train lines, people can walk as or in addition to Anchor House? By Jahnvi Upreti necessarily easy. “We thought we were will increase our capacity to serve the across the bridge from Morrisville, Gusciora: Well there’s other Editor’s Note: TCNJ Bonner However, not many today realize that the but where they could find solidarity “work” by providing him with a space going to renovate before we expanded,” community,” Rivera said. and because it’s the capital, they feel organizations such as LifeTies. A big Community Scholar Jahnvi Upreti to create his art: specifically jewelry that they can get the most assistance consequence of homelessness are expansive and well-known organization through common experiences like said Melissa Rivera, TASK’s Manager of A grand opening celebration has been is studying abroad in Italy and filed was once only words written on paper. socialization and art. With help from the and mirror designs. here. We have a lot of churches that LGBT youth that seem to be tossed out this report that gives an international Internal Operations. scheduled for May 3, 2019. offer food assistance [and] we have the of their family’s structure and as society In 1993, the first publication of the Municipality of Bologna, Piazza Grande “I find copper on the streets, and I Now, renovations will take place after perspective on media for individuals Trenton Area Soup Kitchen Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, so there gets more tolerant, that will be less of a original Piazza Grande newspaper was created by those who needed it most. make it into rings and bracelets… from expansion. According to Rivera, most of are a lot of outlets that the homeless problem but nonetheless, it’s critical to experiencing homelessness. 72 1/2 Escher Street was released in Bologna. The paper’s Piazza Grande provides a number something thrown away, I create life.” the operations will be transferred into the population can take advantage of. offer those services as well but there are While The Streetlight has been Trenton, NJ intention was threefold: to allow of servces to people in the margins Since the start of the Piazza Grande new building while renovations will be The Streetlight: The Rescue other organizations that are willing to serving local communities for nearly a (609) 695-5456 Mission is the only general population step up to the plate such as LifeTies. marginalized individuals within of Bologna, such as housing, social publications in Bologna, the newspaper decade, this publication is far from the emergency shelter in Mercer The Streetlight: Do you think Bologna to express themselves through services, vocational support, counseling, has slowly shifted from a platform world’s only media outlet published County. With Newark adding seven then that homelessness should art and writing, to provide them with a and more. Its sub-organization, Happy designed solely by the homeless shelters, are there plans to open be addressed by non-profits or for and with people experiencing means of financial self sustainability, and Place, was designed as a community communities of Bologna to one co-opted a city-run shelter in the Trenton? should the city government play homelessness. In Bologna, Italy, more of a role? to battle social exclusion and affirm the laboratory for individuals experiencing by greater newspaper organizations, Gusciora: We can look at that but another outlet not only serves as a we’re focusing on transitioning to more Gusciora: Well the problem is that rights of the homeless population. Those homelessness, but open to anyone. such as the Bologna Press. In order to newspaper for the city’s population permanent housing. I don’t think just the City doesn’t have the resources who contribute to the newsletter include Happy Place provides a space where revamp the publication and focus on offering more temporary shelters is to handle the problem itself so it does experiencing homelessness, but has the voiceless once more, experts in individuals experiencing homelessness, people can participate in group activities, necessarily the answer. have to rely on faith-based initiatives as become an institution for local residents. social journalism will be working with The Streetlight: What projects are volunteer journalists, and professionals such as English-Italian language well as general non-profits. If the State Within the heart of Bologna’s town members of Piazza Grande to recommit you envisioning as part of an increase of New Jersey paid dollar-for-dollar in from the social services field. exchanges on Wednesdays and musical center, at the corner of Via Antonio di to the initial goals of tackling social in transitional housing? their property taxes because of all the Since 1993, the grassroots newspaer sessions on Fridays. Happy Center Gusciora: The Rescue Mission has tax-exempt properties that they occupy, Vincenzo and Via Francesco Albani, exclusion. They will be placing the has evolved from a platform for individual also allows individuals to simply a good model where they have rooms they would give the City $45 million, lies a small storefront with a brightly voices of marginalized individuals at the self expression and sustainability to the utilize the space, no participation in for temporary shelter but then they have but yet last year, we got $9 million in decorated chalkboard reading “Happy forefront of the newspaper. a long-term temporary shelter where transitional aid, so we can’t keep going established organization recognized specific group activities are required. Place.” A social space provided by The publications have also adapted [people experiencing homelessness] back to our own tax base to pay for such today. Though these chronicles were Salvatore, a frequent visitor at have actual rooms assigned to them programs so we really need for the state the municipality of Bologna, Happy to include a new goal: to fight racism, a step towards greater autonomy, they the Hapy Center, elaborated further and they actually have apartments that and the county and even the feds to step Center is managed by the Piazza specifically in regards to migrants. were not enough to allow for greater on the importance of spaces such as they can stabilize long term until [clients up to the plate. Grande cooperative. Piazza Grande is Leonardo Tancredi, editor of the experiencing homelessness] are able to Q+A has been slightly condensed agency within society. These individuals those provided by Piazza Grande an incredibly respected organization for marginalized populations. As Piazza Grande publications, states that get off on their feet. The Rescue Mission for spacing purposes. Visit our website, decided to pursue the resources needed to in the city of Bologna that actively an individual who has experienced “...Piazza Grande could be the first “Meadow Lake” is not strictly temporary overnight thestreetlight.pages.tcnj.edu, to read more of create a space where they could not only housing and that’s something that we Mayor Gusciora’s Q+A with The Streetlight. provides social spaces and services homelessness, Salvatore delineated newspaper in the world [that is] the result by Sharon Jackson share ideas and stories through a paper, have to look for rather than just offering for Bologna’s homeless population. how Happy Place allows him to of a participatory process.”

pg 4 . The Streetlight Winter 2018-19 . pg 5 Emergency, Health, & Addiction Services Mount Carmel Guild Robert Wood Johnson Hospital at Hamilton Catholic Charities, Behavioral Health Services 73 North Clinton Ave., Trenton, NJ. (609) 392-5159. Limited Utility and One Hamilton Health Pl., Hamilton, NJ. (609) 586-7900 10 Southard St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 396-4557. Prescription assistance. Home Health Nursing Services: visits for medication Clinics, Medical Care, General Acute Medical Care Accepts Medicaid, Medicare. Integrated behavioral health and physical health services. management, vital sign checks, pre-filling syringes, adminster injections for economically disadvantaged, medically frail elderly. Free and do not accept third St. Francis Medical Center party payments. 601 Hamilton Ave., Trenton, NJ. (609) 599-5000 Capital Health Medical System at Hopewell Clinics, Medical Care, General Acute Medical Care. Accepts Medicaid, Medicare. 1 Capital Way, Hopewell Township, NJ. (800) 637-2374. New Horizons Treatment Service, Inc. The Salvation Army’s Trenton Adult Rehabilitation Center Clinics, Medicaid, Medical Care, General Acute Medical Care. 132 Perry St., Trenton, NJ. Appointment: (609) 394-8988. 436 Mulberry St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 503-5124 Provides an array of medical, clinical and special services, i.e. substance Abuse Capital Health Regional Medical Center treatment, detoxification, methadone maintenance, methadone detoxification. Trenton Department of Health and Human Services - Clinical Services 750 Brunswick Ave., Trenton, NJ. (609) 396-6722 Mon-Fri 6am-8pm. Accepts Medicaid, WorkFirst NJ, and self-pay. 218 N. Broad St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 989-3242 Health Promotions and Clinical Services; Health Incentive Program for Women Where You Can Turn For Help Mental Health Crisis Assistance. Accepts Medicaid, Medicare Oaks Integrated Care (HIP4W), Children’s Health Services. All information is subject to change without notice. Call before visiting each location. Check thestreetlight.pages.tcnj.edu for more listings and a map of all resources. 31 Lexington Ave., Ewing, NJ. 609-583-1900. For My Baby and Me 1001 Spruce St. Suite 205, Trenton, NJ. 609-396-6788 Trenton Treatment Center (Part of United Progress, Inc.) 609-256-7801 1320 New Willow St., Trenton, NJ. 609-396-8877 56 Escher St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 392-2822 Emergency Shelters & Transitional Housing Hotline that will provide services to drug addicted pregnant women who may be 314 East State St., Trenton, NJ. 609-396-4258 Trenton Treatment Center offers residential (for men only) and outpatient pro- experiencing homelessness 2550 Brunswick Pk., Lawrenceville, NJ. 609-396-8877 grams for those addicted to drug and alcohol. Accepts referrals, client walk-ins, Amani House Escher Street SRO & Transitional Housing Rescue Mission of Trenton Linkage to mental health services, medical services, entitlements and housing. and uninsured Mercer County residents. 518-520 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Trenton, NJ. 50 Escher St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 392-4599 98 Carroll St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 695-1436 Henry J. Austin Health Center (Main) Call for appointment. Single Occupancy Rooms for single men and women (Project Specific Section 8); Emergency overnight shelter: day center, meals and clothing for single adults 321 North Warren St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 278-5900 University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro Transitional housing (24 single adult males between the ages Oxford House of 18-65). Call for appointment. Tel. (609)-393-3168 ext. 13. Transitional Housing for single men (26 beds) and women (8 beds). SRO accepts Housing: Transitional Housing; Rooming and Boarding House; Permanent Sup- Offers fast track, pediatrics, adult medicine, OB/GYN care, social services, podia- 1 Plainsboro Rd., Plainsboro, NJ. (609) 853-7000 1065 River Rd., Ewing, NJ. (301) 587-2916, Toll Free: (800) 689-6411 Clinics, General Acute Medical Care. Accepts Medicaid, Medicare. transitional housing clients and walk-ins. Referred by Mercer County Board of portive Housing try, eye care, behavioral health care, dental services, HIV and Hepatitis C testing Halfway houses to transition from rehab to independent living for individuals Social Services or New Jersey Department of Corrections. Other Services: Adult education, job training, thrift store, and courtesy store. and treatment. Have ID. Accepts Medicaid, Medicare. Monday through Friday 8 Anchor House, Inc. United Progress Inc. Trenton Treatment Center am – 5 pm and Saturday 9 – 1. Princeton House Behavioral Health 482 Center St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 396-8329 HomeFront New Jersey Family Campus 56 Escher St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 392-2161. 24-hour program for runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth ages 10-17 United Progress Inc. – Emergency Shelter 741 Mount Lucas Rd., Princeton, NJ. (1-800) 242-2550; (609)- 497-3347 101 Celia Way, Ewing, NJ. (609) 989-9417 56 Escher St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 392-2822 and Fax: (609) 392-3215 Henry J. Austin Health Center (Chambers) Intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization. Accepts Medicaid, Medicare. Provides substance abuse treatment, HIV/AIDS counseling, employment and job Anchor House Shelter, school Outreach Program, (609) 396-8329 development counseling, emergency food, utility, housing services and homeless Emergency Shelter, Transitional Housing, and Permanent Housing are available. Providing 22-bed transitional housing service for single homeless males of Mercer 317 Chambers St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 278-5900. Anchorage Transitional Living Program, (609) 989-1625 prevention. County. Accepting transitional housing referrals from Mercer County Board of Adult Medicine and other services. The satellite centers are open Monday through Planned Parenthood Anchor Link Street Outreach Program, (609) 218-5630 LifeTies Trenton Center - 437 E. State St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 599-4881 Social Services. Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Appointments are encouraged. Anchor Line, (609) 218-5630 Triad House & Administrative Offices: 2205 Pennnington Rd., Ewing, NJ Hamilton Center - 2279 State Hwy 33, Hamilton, NJ. 689-4964 Womanspace (609) 771-1600 Henry J. Austin Health Center (Ewing Street) Services: Abortion Services, Birth Control Services, Emergency Contraception, 1530 Brunswick Ave., Lawrenceville, NJ. (609) 394-9000; (800)-572-SAFE Better Community Housing Trenton – Doorway to Hope Mary’s Place/T.L.I.T.: 1901 North Olden Ave., Ewing, NJ. (609) 671-0040 112 Ewing St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 278-5900. General Health Care, HIV Testing, LGBT Services, and more. Emergency services designed to assist victims of domestic violence and sexual 827 East State St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 396-5579 Providing 24/7 shelter for homeless LGBTQ youth ages 12 to 21 at four houses in Adult Medicine and the above services and dental care. Open Monday through assault immediately following the initial crisis. Spanish-speaking staff available. Emergency shelter for homeless families in an apartment setting for up to 90 days. Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. Appointments are encouraged. Rescue Mission of Trenton Mercer County 96 Carroll St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 393-3533. Residential and Outpatient Treatment Food Banks & Meal Services for addictions and co-occurring disorders. Holy Apostles’ Episcopal Church Abundant Life Christian Fellowship Food Pantry 1040 Yardvillve Allentown Rd., Yardville, NJ. (609) 208-0228. Dinner Tuesday, 5 Resurrection Lutheran Church Food Pantry 1440 Pennington Rd., Ewing, NJ. (609) 883-9780 pm – 6:30 pm 4315 Nottingham Way, Hamilton, NJ. (609) 586-3355 Government Agencies & Human Services 531 Dr. ML King Blvd., Trenton, NJ. (609) 393-0016. Saturday 9 am – 11:30 am Arm in Arm HomeFront Pantry A Better Way Helping Arms New Jersey Department of Labor One-Stop Career Center 123 East Hanover St., Trenton, NJ. Open Monday – Thursday 9:30 am –12 pm 1880 Princeton Ave., Lawrenceville, NJ. (609) 989-9417. Open Tuesdays 12 pm – Rise Food Pantry 65 Prospect St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 392-1224 50 Escher St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 396-7500 26 Yard Ave., Trenton, NJ. (609) 989-6200. 48 Hudson St., Trenton, NJ. Open Monday – Thursday 9:30 am – 12 pm 8pm, Mondays and Thursdays 9 am – 5 pm. 225 Franklin St., Hightstown, NJ. (609) 443-4464. Specializes in mentoring, re-entry & gang reduction. Provides counseling, employment placement services, housing and other social Offers workforce readiness services and career resources. Referrals from 61 Nassau St., Princeton, NJ. Open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 1:30 pm – Open for limited food distribution on Monday through Wednesday from 9 am – 12 services to low income people, and operates a prison re-entry initiative in Trenton. MCBOSS, unemployment. Walk-ins accepted. (Monday-Friday), 8:30 am – 5 pm, 4pm and Tuesday 1:30 pm – 7 pm. Holy Trinity Catholic Church Food Pantry pm Please call the office for requirements and information. Arm in Arm Referrals from Dept. of Corrections. Tuesdays, 8:30 am – 8:30pm. (609) 396-9355. Food pantry, emergency financial assistance (rent, utilities, secu- 201 North Pennsylvania Ave., Morrisville, PA (215) 295-3045 123 East Hanover St., Trenton, NJ HomeFront rity deposit, mortgage) for low income families and individuals in Mercer County. Sacred Heart Church 48 Hudson St., Trenton, NJ Opportunities for All Administrative Offices Pantry visits require photo ID and proof of Mercer County address. Jerusalem Baptist Church 343 S. Broad St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 393-2801. Soup Kitchen: 4th Sunday Lunch 61 Nassau St., Princeton, NJ 1701 S. Broad St., Hamilton, NJ. (609) 394-7013 1880 Princeton Ave., Lawrenceville, NJ. (609) 989-9417 Training and employment opportunities to a diverse group of job seekers. We 150 N. Clinton Ave., Trenton, NJ (609) 394-9816. Third Saturday of a five from 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm. Food Pantry: 3rd Tuesday of the month. 2 pm – 6 pm (609) 396-9355 Homelessness prevention (rent/security); permanent service-enriched affordable Bethel Seventh Day Adventist Church specialize in working with applicants with disabilities. Saturday month and the first Saturday of a four Saturday month. 1:301 am – 1 pm. Food pantries; emergency financial assistance (rent, utilities, security deposit, housing; food pantry; FreeStore; Furnish the Future. Monday – Friday 9am-5pm. 203 Hillcrest Ave., Trenton, NJ. (609) 393-2224 Call for details on other services. Samaritan Baptist Church mortgage); workforce development, and driver’s license restoration assistance. Except Tuesday 12 pm – 8 pm Rise – A Community Service Partnership Open third Sunday of the month 8 am – 12 pm 531 Dr. ML King Blvd., Trenton, NJ. (609) 393-0016. Saturday 9 am – 11:30 am Main Office, 116 N. Main St., 2nd Floor, Hightstown, NJ. (609) 443-4464. Lawrence Community Center Catholic Charities – Emergency & Community Services Housing Initiatives of Princeton Providing case management to individuals in the East Windsor/Hightstown area. Bethel World Outreach Ministries International 295 Eggerts Crossing Rd., Lawrenceville, NJ. (609) 883-3379 South Trenton Area Soup Kitchen 132 N. Warren St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 394-8847. 33 Mercer St., Princeton, NJ. (609) 252-1572 Main office is open: Mondaythrough Friday 9 am – 4 pm 931 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Trenton, NJ. (609) 956-9228. HomeFront-managed food pantry provides food bags on the first and third First Baptist Church, 128-140 Centre St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 393-8810. Monday, Provides support related to housing, food and mental health. Serves individuals experiencing homelessness or in danger of experiencing home- (Closed for lunch from 1 pm – 2 pm daily) Community dinner Wednesday nights 5 pm - 6:30 pm Thursday of the month. Various programs for all ages and computer access for Tuesday, Wednesday Dinner from 4 pm – 5:30 pm. less in order to assist with finding affordable housing and resources. visitors. CEAS (Coordinated Entry and Assessment Services) Center Social Security Administration Cadwalader Asbury United Methodist Church Food Pantry St. James AME Church 509 Perry St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 989-3722 Mercer Alliance to End Homelessness 635 S. Clinton Ave., 2nd Floor, Trenton, NJ. (609) 989-2254; 1-800-772-1213. 900 Stuyvesant Ave., Trenton, NJ. (609) 392-1037 Lutheran Church of the Redeemer Food Pantry 413 Summit St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 448-7855 Monday-Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm 1001 Spruce St., Ewing Township, NJ. (609) 599-9762 Assists clients with social security card replacement, Disability info, questions and 189 South Broad St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 396-2411 Community dinner, Wednesdays 5 pm - 6:30 pm Operated by the City of Trenton, this center strives to provide services like hous- Not a direct service provider, but works alongside other Mercer County agencies assistance in applying for SSI and SSDI. Call or walk-in. and organizations to aid people experiencing homelessness. Catholic Charities Community Food Pantry Last Thursday of month. Opens at 8 am on a first come first serve basis. ing, identification, and information about benefits eligibility. 132 N. Warren St., Trenton, NJ (609) 394-8847 ext. 2504 St. Mary’s Cathedral (Loaves and Fishes Food & Soup Kitchen) Trenton Area Soup Kitchen Mercer County Board of Social Services (MCBOSS) 72 1/2 Escher St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 695-5456 Open Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 9 am – 12:30 pm Meals on Wheels of Mercer County 151 N. Warren St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 396-8447. Last two Saturdays of the month. Central Jersey Legal Services, Inc. 200 Woolverton St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 989-4320. 320 Hollowbrook Dr., Ewing, NJ. (609) 695-3483 Lunch is 11 am – 2 pm 198 West State St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 695-6249. Complaint Line: (609) 989-4400. Social Services: (609) 989-4451. Assist Hot lunch and dinner; adult education; computer classes; job search assistance. Celestial Church of Christ Food Pantry Provides nutritious meals to homebound individuals throughout Mercer County. Will discuss legal issues with individuals, landlord/tenant or issues and will make individuals with General Assistance, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, Monday to Friday Lunch from 10:30 am – 12:50 pm; Monday to Thursday Dinner 46 Weber Ave., Ewing, NJ. (609) 771-9227 The Food Center at Morrisville Presbyterian Church appointments. Call for appointment (9 am – 4:30 pm). Supplemental Security Income and other services. from 3:30 pm – 5 pm

Medallion Care Behavioral Health 771 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Morrisville, PA (215) 295-4191 M-F, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, T 8:30 am – 8:30 pm. Can call or walk-in. Ujima Urban Women’s Center Christ Presbyterian Church (Ginny’s Pantry) 1 Electonics Dr., Suite 105, Hamilton, NJ. (609) 586-0766. Lunch Monday - Child Care Connection 1001 Spruce St., Suite 201, Ewing, NJ. (609) 989-7770. 1001 Pennington Rd., Ewing, NJ. (609) 882– 2098 726 Klockner Rd., Hamilton, NJ. (609) 587-0751 Friday from 12 pm – 1 pm The Salvation Army Citadel Corps of Trenton Mercer County Clerk’s Office Resource and Referral agency assists families in their search for quality child care 240 W. State St., Floors 6 and 7, Trenton, NJ. (609) 989-6494 Providing compassion, advocacy, and training to urban women residing in Trenton 575 E. State St. Trenton, NJ 08609 and provides access to child care subsidy funds. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and surrounding areas. Call for Appointment. Concerned Citizens of Ewing Inc. Food Pantry Mercer Street Friends Food pantry and social service department. helping individuals with payment ID’s- Voter registration forms, Mercer County photo ID, passport. Friday 9 am – 5 pm., Thursday 9 am – 6 pm Monday – Friday 8 am – 4 pm; Wednesday until 6:45 pm. Walk-ins accepted. 320 Hollowbrook Dr., Ewing, NJ. (609) 882-0856 824 Silvia St., Ewing, NJ. General inquiries (609) 396-1506. Food Bank inquiries relating to eviction notices and utility shut offs. This Salvation Army gives out U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Trenton Vet Center Open Monday through Friday from 9:30 am – 1:30 pm (609) 406-0503 vouchers for furniture which can be used at any Salvation Army Store. 934 Parkway Ave. Suite 201, Ewing, NJ. (609) 882-5744 City of Trenton – Health & Human Services Mercer County Connection 319 E. State St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 815-2160 957 Route 33, Hamilton, NJ First Baptist Church of Princeton Mount Carmel Guild Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Food Pantry Can provide emergency assistance for back rent, first month rent for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Hamilton Outpatient Clinic John Street & Paul Robeson Pl., Princeton, NJ. (609) 924-0877. Dinner Tuesday 73 North Clinton Ave., Trenton, NJ. (609) 392-3402. Operates a food pantry Mon- 801 W. State St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 392-3805. Food Pantry. Every other Saturday County ID card and passport services. Mon, Wed, Fri. 10am – 6pm. Tuesday & 3635 Quakerbridge Rd., Hamilton, NJ. (609) 570-6600 homeless and/or at-risk homeless, assistance for Senior Citizens, and other ser- Thursday, 10 am – 8 pm. Saturday, 10 am – 3 pm. from 5 pm – 7 pm. Fri. 9:30 am – 11:30 am and 1:30 am – 3:30 pm 9 am – 11 am. Services via the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen are also available. vices from its City Hall office. General Medicine for veterans. Walk-ins accepted. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Homeless Intervention Program First Haitian Church of God Food Pantry New Covenant United Methodist Church Trenton Area Soup Kitchen Community Health Law Project 1/2 Mercer County Department of Housing and Community Development Hotline is intended to assist homeless Veterans and their families, VA Medical 1501 Greenwood Ave., Trenton, NJ. (609) 695-3708 1965 South Broad St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 393-4725 72 Escher St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 695-5456. Mon. – Fri. Lunch from 11 am – 1 225 East State St., Suite 5, Trenton NJ (609) 392-5553. 640 S. Broad St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 989-6858 pm; Monday – Thursday Dinner from 4pm-5:30pm. Call for other services. Centers, federal, state and local partners, community agencies, service providers Discusses legal questions with those with disabilities. Offers a low-cost fee-for- Provides heating/cooling assistance, first-time homebuyer assistance, residential and others in the community. First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown New Hope Church of God rehabilitation assistance, and affordable housing. service legal service program. Will make appointments. (1-877) 4AID VET (877-424-3838) (National) 320 North Main St., Hightstown, NJ. (609) 448-0055 400 Hamilton Ave., Trenton, NJ. (609) 393-3293 Turning Point United Methodist Church M-F 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Rise to the TASK Community Supper on Mondays from 4 pm – 5:30 pm 15 S. Broad St., Trenton, NJ. Dinner served / Food Pantry. 3rd Sun. 1 pm – 3 pm. Community Justice Center Mercer County Department of Human Services NJ Conference Adventist Community Services Center 310 West State St., Trenton, NJ (609) 218-5120. 640 S. Broad St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 468-8296 First United Methodist Church of Hightstown 2160 Brunswick Cir., Lawrenceville, NJ. (609) 392-7131 Trinity United Methodist Church of Bordentown City Encouraging the empowerment, resiliency and rights of those struggling with 187 Stockton St., Hightstown, NJ. (609) 448-0041. Rise to the TASK Community 339 Farnsworth Ave., Bordentown, NJ. (609) 298-0158 disabilities by providing the essential ingredients of legal education, outreach, ad- Mercer County Office on Aging Supper on Thursdays from 4:30 pm – 6 pm. Primera Iglesia Pentecostal (Alpha and Omega Inc.) Dinner is served Tuesdays from 5 pm – 6:30 pm vocacy and representation. Will discuss legal questions with veterans and disabled 640 S. Broad St., Trenton, NJ 347 Second St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 571-9135. 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the and will make appointments. Information for Seniors (877) 222-3737, (609) 989-6661 Hamilton Township’s Bromley Neighborhood Civic Center month. 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm United Progress, Inc. 1801 East State St, Hamilton, NJ. (609) 587-8100. Open Tuesdays from 9:30 am- 62 West State St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 392-2161. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Community Options, Inc. Mercer County Office for the Disabled 11:30 am and Thursdays from 3 pm – 4 pm. Princeton Deliverance Center Friday 9 am – 12 pm. 16 Farber Rd., Princeton, NJ (609) 951-9000 640 S. Broad St., Trenton, NJ (609) 989-6663 301 Southard St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 392-9161. Wednesday (not 1st of month) Provides housing and employment services for individuals with disabilities. Hamilton Township’s J. O. Wilson Neighborhood Center 12:30 am – 1:30 pm, Friday 9 am – 12 pm West Trenton Soup Kitchen Mercer County Veterans Residence 169 Wilfred Ave, Hamilton, NJ. (609) 393-6480. Open Mondays from 10 am – 12 Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. 801 W. State St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 902-042. Thurs- 2280 Hamilton Ave., Hamilton NJ. (609) 989-6120. (Must apply in advance) pm, Wednesdays 1 pm – 3 pm. Princeton United Methodist Church day Dinner, 5 pm – 6:30 pm 7 Vandeventer Ave., Princeton, NJ. (609) 924-2613. Free community dinner, Wednesdays 5 pm – 6:30 pm Newark’s Government Joins Fight Against Homelessness By Jared Kofsky When it comes to homelessness December, officials cut the ribbon Media. Then, in November, New- for the city, but they will recom- in the United States, it has long on the Homeless Emergency Liv- ark officials announced that seven mend services, evaluate funding been debated whether the crisis ing Partnership (HELP) Center in year- round shelters for people ex- opportunities, coordinate resourc- should be addressed by govern- Newark, a temporary government- periencing homelessness through- es, and conduct advocacy efforts. ment agencies or societal groups. run shelter. out the city would open, receiving Locally, the Trenton/Mercer In the Trenton area, both cat- “As long as they’re in our com- funding from both City Hall and Continuum of Care Program oper- egories have long played a crucial munity, we’re going to service local organizations. ates the Point-in-Time Count and role in homelessness prevention, them,” Newark Mayor Now, Newark is looking to connects government, non-profit, ‘Tis the Season for Unity By Essence B. Scott though non-profit organizations told The Streetlight, referring to address the homelessness crisis and religious partners, though and religious institutions continue people experiencing homelessness. within city limits by creating a the capital region does not have a Every year, usually around month or so leading up to the play October or November, there is a to operate nearly every food pantry, The facility, which was operated homelessness commission. The homelessness commission run di- and do acting exercises with us. flurry of activity in the air. Adults of Another fond memory that stands soup kitchen, and shelter. with the assistance of Emergency board will be made up of be- rectly by a municipality. all stripes are looking to do something out for me is the big Christmas party Although assistance is provided Housing Services, Inc., took over tween 15 and 30 members, at Cities in particular continue to for the children they oversee. For at The Pennington School. It was a to these groups through county, a former halfway house. While the least one of which must have battle the homelessness crisis more some, this is easy. For others, not so time for everyone to get together and state, and federal dollars, often for building was not in pristine con- experienced homelessness. than other regions. Essex County, much. There might not be enough enjoy the holiday, even if a family specific contracted services, a look dition when it opened, it allowed City records obtained by The one of New Jersey’s densest, is money to go around to buy gifts and was low on food or money for gifts. at our Mercer County Resource people to have a place to sleep dur- Streetlight show that all members believed to be home of 24 percent pay rent and other expenses. Some There were games and toys and I Guide will reveal that many of the ing the coldest months of the year. will be tasked with providing “a of New Jersey’s population expe- families struggle to find a job or, in think Karaoke too. Kids could play region’s vital resources for indi- However, the shelter closed its framework and strategy” for bring- riencing homelessness, according some cases, work two jobs to make outside. Parents could talk, and rest “A Day At The Farm” viduals and families experiencing doors in September, forcing its 194 ing an end to homelessness in New- to the 2018 Point-in-Time Count ends meet. assured everyone got a good meal-- homelessness are not run by gov- residents to end up back on the ark. Specifically, the group will not results. In New Jersey, non-profit by Dolores Frails HomeFront does a lot for these usually turkey, mashed potatoes and ernment agencies themselves. streets, according to NJ Advance only lead the Point-in-Time Count resources and major public spaces struggling families. I know. I was gravy, and vegetables. For dessert: For instance, while the City of such as train terminals tend to be in one of those families. Every year, ice cream. Student volunteers, our Trenton does operate the CEAS concentrated in cities. there is a call for donations to build hosts, made sure we were full and Center in order to assist people “You’re not going to get help Thanksgiving food baskets for these content. They worked very hard to experiencing homelessness, the standing on a corner in Millburn,” Poetry families. No one should be hungry at engage both kids and parents alike in capital region’s only emergency Newark Mayor Ras Baraka told At The End of The Day any time during the year. I remember conversation and making sure all was shelter for single adults is oper- The Streetlight, referring to one of Robert Eaton when my family was at the Pine Motel well. HomeFront staff would be there ated by the non-profit Rescue his city’s wealthiest suburban en- in Bordentown. We hadn’t had any to celebrate with the families they Mission of Trenton with the as- claves. “You might go to jail.” food in a few days, when we heard helped over the course of the year or sistance of government funding It remains to be seen what New- At the end of the day you want a place to stay a knock at the door. Food! Someone several years. It really was a fun time, for services such as shelter stays ark’s new commission will recom- A place to sleep that isn’t a train station or a sidewalk had delivered food! My mom thanked and I know it takes plenty of effort and case management. mend and if other New Jersey mu- A place of your own where you can cook food for yourself, take a the kind volunteers profusely. So did from them to send invitations out, Across town, several facili- nicipalities like Trenton will open Shower, read, hang out, watch TV, entertain friends, and call your own. my siblings and I. We fully embraced manage RSVPs, and to just make it a our simple, daily Grace that day. Our ties for young adults experiencing up shelters of their own. good time. It shows beautifully. prayers had definitely been answered. Another tradition that HomeFront homelessness are all operated by Former Governor Emotions were running high. The has is giving out gifts to the children. the non-profit Anchor House, Inc. told The Streetlight that he would But first, it has to be affordable food made us happy. Every year, families fill out a wishlist Other major Mercer County orga- have supported such a move on You can’t live in a house or an apartment if it is out of your price range If you can’t pay your rent, you won’t have a place to live for long At around Christmastime, there with a couple items that volunteers nizations like Rise and HomeFront the municipal level during his ad- are a lot of gifts given out and games go out and buy for the kids. It is a are non-profit groups as well. ministration, though NJ Spotlight It feels good to have a place to live. You have a roof over your Head, shelter from the elements, and there aren’t any cops around played. Every year, we went to see A wonderful feeling to receive gifts, Societal organizations playing has reported that current Gover- to tell you to move along. Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre especially when a child might not get such a key role in homelessness pre- nor ’s new economic in Princeton. At dinner and during the any due to lack of family finances. vention is common throughout the plan calls for having the state gov- show, there is a sense of community There are other things that state and the country. This makes ernment partner with hospitals to Affordable housing seems to be disappearing from the scene these that made the space hum with HomeFront does for the families they the recent moves by the municipal construct housing for individuals days, and that’s a shame. excitement. Some years, we actually serve, perhaps another article’s worth. government in the Garden State’s experiencing homelessness. The How can you have a place to stay if you can’t afford it? met some of the cast of the play and I am beyond grateful to HomeFront largest city quite unique and raises “Father and Mom” future of government’s role in If there’s no place like home, what if you don’t have one? they would sit and talk with us about and what they have done for my questions about whether other New by Warcheerah Kilima homelessness in the Garden State it. A teaching artist from McCarter family. I hope one day that I could Jersey cities could follow suit. Last still remains unclear. would come to our art class in the pay it forward somehow.

pg 8 . The Streetlight Winter 2018-19 . pg 9 Preventing Poverty in Princeton By Joyce Vilson, Alyssa Sedacca, and Joshua Trifari Housing Initiatives of Princeton (HIP) supportive service is available for up to is a non-profit organization that was 24 months, coupled with other job search founded in 2004 to target homelessness programs. The organization also offers and offer low-income housing in the rental assistance through the form of a Princeton area. The group, run entirely by security deposit or first month’s rent. volunteers, provides low-income families HIP works with local institutions such Extreme Weather Continues to Plague Trenton Library a second chance to establish a permanent as Princeton University and Princeton By Jared Kofsky home in the community. Medical Center in order to assist clients. “front line of America’s homelessness According to Carol Golden, chair of There is a plan in the works for HIP to With temperatures in the capital region crisis,” highlighting San Francisco, the Board of Trustees of HIP, Princeton is collaborate with the center in order to this summer reaching as high as 96 a very expensive town to live in, making establish a healthy living program for the degrees, Mercer County residents sought , and Philadelphia as examples homelessness deceptively easy to fall into. families served by the non-profit. shelter indoors during the day from the of municipal libraries that are hiring “People fall on hard times, and often, Aside from rental assistance and excruciating heat. In local suburbs, if their own social workers for individuals there is no one to turn to to prevent them transitional housing, families may also residents lacked air conditioning on experiencing homelessness. from falling into homelessness,” Golden seek assistance from HIP in regards to some of the warmest days of the year, In Trenton, while there are a handful told The Streetlight. permanent housing solutions as well as local libraries were places to spend of other resources that are open to HIP’s transitional housing helps other supportive services. the day indoors. In fact, the New Trentonians experiencing homelessness, families who are struggling financially and To contact HIP, call (609) 497- Jersey 2-1-1 Partnership recommends such as the Rescue Mission of Trenton’s those who are experiencing homelessness 4535 or email them at info@ that “libraries...and other public air- Day Center. This facility, which is by receiving temporary shelter. This housinginitiativesofprinceton.org. conditioned spaces are good alternatives open daily, serves lunch and offers in every county if you are looking for a case management services. However, place to cool down.” the TFPL remains a common place However, for residents of Trenton, for individuals to spend the day safely particularly those experiencing indoors when it is open. homelessness, such an option did not Unlike other similarly-sized cities exist on days when temperatures were in New Jersey, Trenton currently has Black = Housing Iniatives of Princeton at their highest. The Trenton Free Public only one municipal library branch. Although the TFPL used to operate the Blue = HomeFront Library (TFPL) on Academy Street, Briggs, Cadwalader, East Trenton, and Red = Rescue Mission of Trenton part of which was built in 1902, was shut down frequently, with closures Skelton Branches in four of the city’s coinciding with high temperatures. outer neighborhoods, all four were PIT Count: Homelessness Rises Contando la Población sin Hogar An analysis by The Streetlight of online closed in 2010. By Jared Kofsky and Joshua Trifari Traducido por Annette Espinoza announcements by the TFPL found that According to Mayor Gusciora, City Homelessness appears to be on The 2018 Point-in-Time Count La falta de vivienda parece estar muestra que hay al menos 479 personas Hall is figuring out how those libraries the library was closed on 12 days during “Keep on Moving To The Sound of Music” the rise again in the Garden State. The shows that there are at least 479 people aumentando nuevamente en el New sin hogar en el condado de Mercer. Una this summer alone due to concerns over can be reopened. When asked for federally mandated Point-in-Time Count, experiencing homelessness in Mercer Jersey. Según el informe de NJCounts de las principales causas de la falta de heat in the building. On 12 additional by Carol Johnson additional details, the mayor stated held on January 23 and 24, 2018, found County. One of the top causes of publicado por Monarch Housing, el vivienda a nivel local fue la transición days, the TFPL closed early, meaning that the City would require non-profit that the number of people experiencing homelessness locally was found to número de personas que viven sin hogar del encarcelamiento a la reintegración that for nearly an entire month’s worth June until the beginning of September. Gusciora, who stated in an exclusive partners to operate each of the old homelessness in New Jersey has be the transition from incarceration en New Jersey ha aumentado en un en la sociedad. of days, the municipal library in New Following these shutdowns, it interview in late November that the library branches, such as how Howard’s increased by nine percent since 2017, to reintegration into society. nueve por ciento desde 2017, según el Se descubrió que la ciudad de Trenton, Jersey’s capital was either shut down for appeared as though an end to the problem was being addressed. Healthy Choices is operating in the according to the NJCounts report released The City of Trenton, where the informe de NJCounts, que se realizo el 23 donde se basaban los voluntarios, era el all or part of its usual hours of operation. weather-related closures was near, with “We’ve actually been working on former Briggs Branch Library. by Monarch Housing Associates. volunteers were based, was found to de enero y el 24 de enero de 2018. hogar de 75 por ciento de la población Patrons who sought the library’s the TFPL posting online at the end of the the HVAC system and we are making Facility upgrades are needed, Gusciora explained, mentioning that the City The Streetlight participated in the be home to 75 percent of the county’s The Streetlight participó en el 2018 del condado sin hogar, con un 21 por services during the day were often greeted summer that a new HVAC system was facility upgrades to the library,” said is in discussions with Mercer County 2018 Mercer County Point-in-Time population experiencing homelessness, Mercer County Point-in-Time Count. ciento viviendo en el municipio de with a sign reading “the library is subject installed, replacing a previous system Gusciora. When asked what was causing that was set up over four decades earlier. the delay, the mayor cited “contractor officials about possibly having Trenton Count. Volunteers from organizations with 21 percent living in Ewing Township. Voluntarios de organizaciones como Ewing. En ese momento, 63 personas to close at any time during the day due to like Oaks Integrated Care and the 63 people were unsheltered at the time the temperature within the building.” On The library also thanked the Trenton challenges” and added that secondary become involved with the Mercer Oaks Integrated Care y Rescue Mission no estaban cubiertas, mientras que el 46 County Library System. Rescue Mission of Trenton traveled while 46 percent of those surveyed were Facebook, there were regular posts this City Council for assisting with funding fixes are on the way. of Trenton viajaron por toda la ciudad por ciento de las personas encuestadas Still, nearly a decade after the branches throughout the capital city and classified as “chronically homeless.” 54 summer warning potential visitors that the new system. “We hope to correct any problems capital y los suburbios circundantes para se clasificaron como “personas sin hogar Yet, just a few months later, extreme with the library facility in the very near were shuttered, when it comes to the surrounding suburbs in order to count people surveyed who were experiencing the library will be shut down for the day contar el número de personas que se cree crónicas”. 54 personas encuestadas que weather impacted the TFPL again. On future,” he explained. TFPL, finances remain a concern. the number of people believed to be homelessness were domestic violence “due to the excessive heat and humidity que viven sin hogar y descubrir cómo se encontraban sin hogar eran víctimas de three frigid days before this winter even The capital is far from the only city “The library budget used to be $8 experiencing homelessness and find out victims, and an additional 18 people in the building.” Although posts on July terminaron sin vivienda permanente. Los violencia doméstica, y otras 18 personas began, the building was closed to the in the United States where residents million. It’s down to $2 million so how they ended up without permanent surveyed were veterans. Slightly 25 and 26 and on August 1, 3, 4, 6, and lugares visitados van desde Delaware y encuestadas eran veteranos. Un poco 9 mentioned that “HVAC engineers are public due to concerns over the climate experiencing homelessness rely you can readily understand why the housing. Places visited ranged from more than one tenth of the people Raritan Canal hasta agencias de empleo más de una décima parte de las personas on-site working on this issue,” there control system on the premises. on libraries for services and shelter branches had to close,” Gusciora told the Delaware and Raritan Canal to surveyed had been experiencing y bibliotecas públicas. encuestadas habían estado sin hogar were closures on excessively hot days The Streetlight took the concerns over during the day. A Washington Post The Streetlight. “The City can’t afford to employment agencies to public libraries. homelessness for more than three years. El Point-in-Time Count de 2018 durante más de tres años. throughout the summer, from the end of the closures to Trenton Mayor Reed investigation described libraries as the do it all.” pg 10 . The Streetlight Winter 2018-19 . pg 11 Beyond Anyone’s Expectations By McKenna Samson Designed with the purpose of taught are hands-on. The staff lets the assisting all students across the state, students make all of the decisions in their especially those who have grown up in projects and fully produce them,” Anglin and aged out of the foster care system, told The Streetlight. Staff: Beyond Expectations is a New Jersey While Beyond Expectations in open Annette Espinoza, TCNJ Bonner - Editor-in-Chief community multimedia organization to all students in Burlington and Mercer Jared Kofsky, TCNJ Bonner - Managing Editor for these students. The group’s goal is to Counties, foster students are able to find McKenna Samson, TCNJ Bonner - Editor teach students marketable skills in film, a support system within the organization. Joshua Trifari, TCNJ Bonner - Editor media, and science–through hands-on “Foster students are an invisible Hannah Keyes, TCNJ Bonner - Editor film projects–which will enable them to group,” Anglin explained. Dr. Stephanie Shanklin, TCNJ Bonner - Center Director use such skills to obtain a career. One of the first projects produced Raj Manimaran, TCNJ Bonner - CEL Coordinator Teressa Price, TCNJ Bonner - Program Coordinator For youth aging out of the foster care by Beyond Expectations, 18 and Out, system, the possibility of continuing highlights the stories of youth aging Winter 2018-19 Editorial Review Board: onto a secondary education or finding a out of foster care. Anglin cites this Nina Ringer, Director of Writing, TCNJ profitable career is slim. Children in the film as one that has resonated with Karen Deaver, TCNJ Instructor foster care system do not always have a her for years, even convincing her to Janet Mazur, TCNJ Instructor stable education or living environment. take a media approach for students in Kim Pearson, TCNJ Instructor In fact, “40-63% [of youth in foster care] Beyond Expectations. Even ten years Donna Shaw, TCNJ Instructor did not finish high school,” according to after the short film was made, Anglin Frank Cirillo, Mercer Alliance to End Homelessness Children’s Rights. references it when providing examples Regan Mumolie, Rescue Mission of Trenton Jamie Parker, Trenton Area Soup Kitchen This lack of a steady education can for newer films. Essence B. Scott, Streetlight Columnist hinder the ability of youth to obtain a Beyond Expectations is working to steady job and income. It is believed reach students all over the Garden State. Contact Us: that between 25-55% of youth that have The organization currently has two Website: thestreetlight.pages.tcnj.edu aged out of foster care are unemployed, office locations–one in Bordentown and Facebook: @TheStreetlightTrenton according to Children’s Rights, and one in Trenton. The program works to Twitter: @TCNJStreetlight those who have found employment support students emotionally, socially, Email: [email protected] have average earnings below the and educationally. Beyond Expectations poverty level. Due to circumstances has five key areas for students to explore; beyond their control, at-risk adolescents media production, service leadership, in and aging out of foster care are set on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and a path for disadvantagement. sports media. These areas allow students Leontyne Anglin, the Executive to diversify their options and find their © 2018 Director of Beyond Expectations, started key area of expertise. Students are as a parent volunteer at the birth of the encouraged and guided to create their organization. Seeing the lack of college own film projects, edit, and screen at preparation resources at her teenage film festivals. daughter’s school events, in 1999, she The success of this media-oriented gathered a group of parents and set out to program can been seen in its results, make opportunities for middle and high according to Beyond Expectations, school students. with students from the program being “50 people showing up to the event accepted to over two dozen colleges and would make it a big deal. 200 people universities. The organization’s Young showed,” Anglin reminisces. As the Professionals Leadership Initiative helps organization continued, Anglin began to build resumes for students, teaching to realize that teaching students skills them about job opportunities and ways to properly market themselves in to market themselves for careers. professional and secondary education settings would best benefit them. “One of my favorite aspects of the Beyond Expectations https://beyondexp.net/ program is the amount of engagement “Wine Grapes” with the students. The skills they’re by Carol Johnson

pg 12 . The Streetlight