Written with and for individuals experiencing homelessness to break down the walls. thewall.pages.tcnj.edu Issue 12 . Winter 2017-18 Father and Son Reunite at Rescue Mission After 24 Years Apart By Annette Espinoza & Jared Kofsky “I didn’t want to be absent, I didn’t want to be like my father,” Wilson Between his first and second days told The Wall. working at the Rescue Mission of However, in the early 1990s, Wil- Trenton as part of his new job at the son’s struggles with drug use and sub- Mercer Alliance to End Homeless- sequent periods of incarceration end- ness, Trenton Area Soup Kitchen ed up dividing him from his child, but patron and lifelong Mercer County he always knew that Jackson was out resident Morgan Wilson crossed there somewhere. As Wilson moved paths with an individual that shared into transitional housing, a need grew a unique connection to him. within him to reclaim his family and Wilson remembers the echo of reunite with his missing child. this young man’s name that drew In his mind, Wilson was haunted him out to the lobby that day in by an image of his deathbed and his September 2015. There, in the en- wondering of who would carry his trance where many young men like casket. Who would attend his funeral? him walk in and out for the ser- And what would be said about him? vices at the Rescue Mission, was This rang a need to leave a legacy; a someone named Morgan too. legacy of positivity and hope, and a “I’m sitting down and I’m look- legacy for his sons to carry on. ing at him like a baby,” Wilson rec- Now, Wilson, who has a four-year- ollected in an exclusive interview old son as well, describes himself as a with The Wall. man with so much more at stake and “I said ‘your name’s Morgan? so much more to live for. that he is My name’s Morgan too,” before proud of his story and his efforts to be stepping outside to continue con- “Peaceful Images” a better, more positive person for the versing with the other man. Ethel Mack people that depend on him. As he soon realized, that day, af- Wilson and Jackson were insepa- ter searching for him for over two As Jackson spoke about how he and I realized that this was my son,” rable after their encounter. Although decades, the young man who Mor- was adopted at a young age, and nev- he explained. the feeling of being called ‘dad’ by gan had run into was none other than er knew his father, Wilson became Twenty-four years filled with a 24-year-old man was taboo to Morgan West Jackson, his long lost increasingly confident. trepidation and loss had separated first son. “I listened to his story that day Wilson from Jackson. Continued on Page 2

Rise in Hightstown New Permanent Housing Resource Guide Artist Feature Page 3 Page 5 Pages 6 & 7 Page 8 Organization Women’s Information on Demond shelters, hu- Williams reaches housing man and health contributes to 50 year coming to services, and TCAT from milestone. Trenton. food pantries. Georgia. member when Wilson shared the Father and Son Reunited news with them back in 2015. His Continued from Page 1 two sons, despite being from differ- Wilson, it introduced him to a love ent marriages and having a 22 year like no other—a love that stemmed age gap between them, play togeth- from an understanding and forgive- er and are mentors to each other. He ness from Jackson. hopes that his sons will continue to “He is a good kid,” Wilson re- strive for positive and healthy rela- marked, “better than me when I tionships, and that they will remain was his age.” family oriented and protective of The more that Wilson spoke with one another. his son, the more he learned about the Wilson’s case manager at Oaks son’s life over the previous 24 years. Integrated Care since 2014, Rose Jackson had been adopted by a sub- Bernard, remembers the text mes- urban Philadelphia family as a young sage she received from Wilson that child. He later lived in both New York fall day two years ago. He wrote and New Jersey, before recently re- that something “unbelievable” had turning to the Keystone State, settling occurred to him and that she had to in Scranton and finding a new job as meet with him immediately. They a hotel dishwasher. met outside of Trenton City Hall that “Working hard is in the bloodline,” day and Wilson explained the heart- according to Wilson, “I am so proud warming news. “Country” of him for never giving up.” “I’m supposed to help him, but John Jacobs Although Scranton lacks direct I think he’s helped me more,” said public transportation to Trenton, and Bernard, describing Wilson’s story visits between Wilson and Jackson as one of inspiration. are rare, both speak frequently, espe- “Although you go through some cially since Jackson’s adoptive moth- hellish situations sometimes, there’s Poetry er, Frances, passed away in 2014. always light at the end of the tun- The Soup Kitchen Lillian Doughtery “He is very protective of me, nel,” says Wilson. “You’ve just got- said Wilson. “I am the only person ta’ keep pushing.” he has left.” So what does the future hold for Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, Wilson describes how his son “got Wilson and all of his relatives? an inspiring place to be. me in the loop” by signing him up After putting himself together again Facebook, and speaks fondly of Jack- “like a puzzle,” Wilson is enjoying the It’s full of surprises and there is so much to see. son coming to the capital city recently joys of life with his sons and his en- You’ll meet all kinds of people without any strife. to sleep over, share drinks and stories, tire family by his side. In fact, Wilson Who come in and out from all walks of life. and discover additional commonali- is ready to grow the family and hopes ties between the two of them. As it to be a grandfather. For now, though, Some of them homeless, lonely, and abused. turned out, both Wilson and Jackson Wilson looks forward each year to Some of them addicts whose minds are confused. had overcome a variety of obstacles March when both of his sons celebrate in their lives, developed an interest in their birthdays and Jackson comes Some are still struggling. boxing, and shared a sense of ambi- back to his birthplace, Trenton. Some find their way. tion to be better men. “The bond that we have is incred- “When he heard about all of ible,” said Wilson. “I just wish he But they all have been blessed to be here today. the things I had overcome, he said wasn’t so far away.” Some just eat lunch and some share their stories, ‘Dad, you’re the greatest’,” Wil- from a world full of violence they let go of their worries. son recalled. Although in the two years since Rescue Mission of Trenton The people who work there will put a smile on your face. their first reunion, Wilson continues 98 Carroll Street They give a positive influence that affects the whole human race. to miss Jackson, he is not the only Trenton, NJ 08609 one to. Wilson’s four-year old son So if you would like to meet our family, we invite you to come. asks for his brother consistently, as Phone: (609) 695-1436 What we do is for many not just for some. do his sisters, his cousins, and his grandmother, who were equally www.rescuemissionoftrenton.org excited about regaining a family pg 2 . The Wall Missing Love Poetry Hightstown Organization Alice Evans Celebrates 50 Years of Service There is quiet in my life only your whispers bring. By Kristen Frohlich rector Leslie Koppel, the Holiday I listen in silence to the music your heart sings. Gift Program has tripled from I rest upon your loving thoughts, enjoying this peace of mind, In 1967, a small group of com- 300 to 1,000 kids over the past inside that peacful tenderness only with you I’d find. munity stakeholders opened the several years. doors to the organization, Com- “Rise has a really strong pro- There are no hidden feelings, everything is very clear. munity Action Service Center, gram in place to fulfill the basic We ride the truth together, there is no hurry and no fear. Inc. (CASC) in an ongoing effort needs of those we serve, but our Just living in the moment for whatever it may bring. to fight poverty. Transportation future goals involve trying to go No thoughts of any other thing. services, however, posed a chal- more in-depth with each of these This moment is where I live. lenge to many of CASC’s clients, efforts,” Koppel said. More spe- therefore turning their work into cifically, Rise has plans to expand You have another life. that of a lifeline and essential ser- their Rise to College Readiness Another true reality. vice agency. program, an initiative that helps We both accept that is how it is. After 40 years of work across local students obtain the supplies It is the same for me. four locations in Mercer County, that they need before college. But when I need that quiet space to let my feelings roam, the name CASC was changed to Rise also wants to increase the the whispers of your loving heart are there to take me home. Rise, A Community Service Part- impact of their yearly Commu- nership in 2008. Today, Rise is a nity Dinner, a dining event held private, non-profit organization the Tuesday before Thanksgiving that serves residents in Hight- during which local restaurants stown, East Windsor, and the sur- donate food. For the cost of one rounding community. dollar, the Community Dinner Recently, the organization has served over 200 people ev- celebrated the success of their ery Thanksgiving since its begin- 50 years of service to the local nings in 2010. community. One of their great- Koppel and her team are look- est successes would be the Rise ing forward to this work: “Rise is Food Pantry, which supplies non- looking forward to creating new perishable groceries to families relationships in the local com- every month. munity. Our 50th anniversary is The Pantry was formed in 2010 an opportunity to expand and to to supply 200 qualified families reflect upon all of the work we with groceries but quickly ex- have already done and plan to do. panded to serve over 325 quali- We appreciate all of the passion- fied families in 2015. In order to ate donors and volunteers that be qualified, one must meet the have gotten us here.” federal poverty guidelines. Open for three nights during the week, the Rise Food Pantry has proven Rise, A Community Service to be beneficial to all families in Partnership the surrounding area. 116 North Main Street Although their Food Pantry Highstown, NJ has shown success over the year, the organization’s Adopt-A-Child Food Pantry or Family Program is expand- 225 Franklin Street, ing. The Holiday Gift Program Hightstown, NJ involves a sponsor “adopting” a local child or family for the holi- Greater Goods Thrift Store “Two Face” days and providing the child or 114 Rogers Avenue, Nour Galil family a gift that they registered Hightstown, NJ for. According to Executive Di- Winter 2017-18 . pg 3 When the Soup Kitchen Closes, Mobile Canteen Fills the Void By Annette Espinoza, Jared Kofsky hats in the winter. It serves approxi- covered with The Salvation Army’s a good meal that night makes the ini- & Engy Shaaban mately 150 Trenton residents every logo, pulled up to one of its four stops, tiative impactful to us and those we Friday. crowds of Trentonians, including chil- serve.” said Taliaferro. While a number of innovative or- Over the past several months, the dren and senior citizens, approached, After many months of successfully ganizations and programs are working service has become a vital resource hoping for a warm meal. serving Trenton residents, the team to provide food services to individuals for individuals experiencing food and At each of the locations, which in- is looking to expand its impact in the experiencing homelessness and food home insecurity in Trenton. The initia- cluded Walnut Avenue, Carroll Street, community. “Our current goals are to insecurity, one newly implemented ef- tive was first started in response to a Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, identify those who are in need and to fort stands out: The Salvation Army’s need in the Mercer and Trenton com- and the corner of Oakland Street and try to help them the best we can. While Mobile Canteen. munities: the most prominent soup Hoffman Avenue, a variety of items providing a nice meal once a week is The initiative first began in- Oc kitchen in Trenton is closed on Friday were distributed, from cheeseburgers a good start, it is our long-term goal to tober 2015 through the combined nights, leaving a number of city resi- to copies of The Wall. provide the tools and opportunities for efforts of the then Corps Officers of dents without access to their final meal After each stop, the group linked those who are reliant on us to become the Trenton Citadel Corps, Captains of the day. arams with community members who independent and contributing mem- Moises and Jackie Rivera as well The Mobile Canteen works to meet stopped by, said a prayer together, and bers of society,” said current Corps as Salvation Army employees, Sha- this need, “It is a great way to supple- moved on to the next neighborhood. Officer Major Elijah Kahn. nique Taliaferro and David Simmons ment the efforts of the other hard- In a short period of time, the proj- and two dedicated volunteer chefs, working non-profit organizations in ect has made a significant impact in The Salvation Army’s Chris and Nico Cappuccino. the area. It is also a great way to do the Trenton community. For those Trenton Citadel Corps Today, the initiative is comprised of community outreach, identify needs, working the canteen, they are not only To learn more about the Mobile a service unit truck that travels around and to try to implement a plan to help serving food, they are also engag- Canteen and volunteering for The Trenton on Friday nights to deliver an individual or family,” said Danielle ing and building relationships with Salvation Army, contact Shanique a warm meal to residents. The can- Focarile, the Special Events and Com- neighbors and community members. Taliaferro: shanique.taliaferro@ teen serves hot, nutritious meals and munication Manager of The Salvation “The initiative has impacted the Tren- usa.salvationarmy.org gives access to information regard- Army of Mercer, Hunterdon and Som- ton community by showing them we (609) 599-9373 x114 ing social services/programs offered erset Counties (West Central Region). care. We are accomplishing our mis- by the Corps on a consistent, weekly The Wall recently accompanied sion of ‘doing the most good’ in these To see photos from The Wall’s basis. When available, it also provides the Mobile Canteen as it travelled neighborhoods. A child running up to ride on the Mobile Canteen, visit residents with personal items such as through the capital city on a frigid Fri- our canteen each week happy, excited thewall.pages.tcnj.edu. grooming kits, books, and socks and day evening. Every time the vehicle, knowing that they are going to have

Loved Ones Poetry Carla Coleman

Life has many turns and bumps in the road. Be honest and caring and you’ll bear the load. You can always rely on the ones you love most.

Cuz’ the ones who don’t care will disappear like a ghost. So keep yourself focused and you’ll find a way to succeed.

Surrounded by good people and the loved ones you need, they love you unconditionally in your time of despair.

Because when they’re down and out, they’re going to need you to care. So cherish your loved ones right down to the minute.

Do your best with your life, “Panama Love” and be grateful they’re in it. John Hayes

pg 4 . The Wall Coming Soon to S. Clinton Avenue: Permanent Housing for Women supportive housing for single adult By Jared Kofsky men before, but this is our first in the For the last several years, the his- arena of permanent supportive hous- toric house at 300 South Clinton Av- ing for women.” enue at the edge of Trenton’s Cham- Although he acknowledged that bersburg neighborhood has been an due to the small size of this building, eyesore in the community. there are not a lot of units inside, The three-story property has Young pointed out how this rehabili- stood on the corner of Tyler Street in tation project will have a significant the North Ward for well over a cen- impact on the lives of the selected tury, according to NJ Parcels data; five Trentonians who no longer are but those who walk by the building forced to sleep on the streets of the today will often see the first floor city or in the shelter. windows boarded up and covered He hopes that this will lead to with weeds and garbage scattered larger projects of this type in Tren- across the front sidewalk. Even the ton. “It shows that the Rescue Mis- front door is no longer visible. sion is committed to servicing the This house was once occupied homeless residents in the Mercer by Dr. Arthur M. Barrows, accord- area,” said Young, ing to an early 20th century medi- According to the Rescue Mis- cal directory, a 1920 Trenton City sion’s Director of Administration Directory, as well as local students Regan Mumolie, funding is being and professors. It was later home to provided by Mercer County Depart- the Lifeline Emergency Center, but ment of Human Services Homele- the home has continued to sit va- sness Trust Fund, the City of Tren- cant over the years. However, The ton, and the Rescue Mission. Wall has learned that the days of 300 Women experiencing homeless- South Clinton Avenue remaining in ness must fill out an application if its current state are numbered. they are interested in residing at 300 In September 2016, with assis- South Clinton Avenue once the reha- tance from Mercer County, the City bilitation project is completed. of Trenton sold this property for $1 Even though there is still signifi- to the 112-year-old Rescue Mission cant work that must be completed of Trenton in an effort to increase before the first residents can move in, housing for individuals experiencing those who are interested in learning Untitled homelessness in the capital region. more about the application process John Jacobs Now, the Rescue Mission’s plans can reach out to the Rescue Mis- for this five-bedroom 4.5 bathroom sion’s Manager of Permanent Hous- house have been revealed. provide a sense of hope and perma- Trenton Transit Center, the Roe- ing and Supportive Services, Sheila According to Barrett Young, the nency for the women who will be bling Market Food Bazaar, and New Scott in person or over the phone. Rescue Mission’s Chief Operating living there.” Jersey Transit buses. Although the Should an applicant be accepted, Officer, the house is slated to be Bids for general contractors for property is several blocks away from “they can stay forever,” according rehabilitated and converted into a the project were accepted in Sep- the Rescue Mission’s main emergen- to Young. shared living space once again with tember, according to a legal notice, cy shelter on Carroll Street, residents one bedroom for each of the five res- and Young told The Wall that con- will still have access to services and Rescue Mission of Trenton idents. The one-bedroom units will struction was expected to begin in resources like mental health or sub- 98 Carroll Street, be reserved for women who are cur- November or December. The reha- stance abuse treatment from the Trenton, NJ rently experiencing homelessness in bilitation process is expected to last organization or its community part- Mercer County. between eight and nine months. ners, which will be provided on a Sheila Scott “There is a great need for per- The house is located in a very case-by-case basis. (609) 695-1436 x208 manent supportive housing in the walkable community, and is situated Young said that “this is a pilot [email protected] Mercer area,” Young stated, adding within a few blocks of Arm in Arm’s project,” explaining that “the Rescue that he thinks that this project “will new location on Hudson Street, the Mission has done some permanent

Winter 2017-18 . pg 5 Where You Can Turn For Help All days and times are subject to change without notice. Call before visiting. Updated December 2017. Check thewall.pages.tcnj.edu for more listings and map. * = Not located in Mercer County Trenton & Mercer County Homeless Shelters Amani House Social Services or New Jersey Department of Corrections. United Progress Inc. (UPI) – Trenton Treatment Center 518-520 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Trenton, NJ. 56 Escher St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 392-2822 and Fax: (609) 392-3215 Transitional housing (24 single adult males between the ages HomeFront New Jersey Family Campus Providing 22-bed transitional housing service for single homeless males of Mercer of 18-65). Call for appointment. Tel. (609)-393-3168 ext. 13. 101 Celia Way, Ewing, NJ. (609) 989-9417 County. Accepting transitional housing referrals from Mercer County Board of Emergency Shelter, Transitional Housing, and Permanent Housing are available. Social Services. Anchor House, Inc. LifeTies 482 Center St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 396-8329 Womanspace Triad House & Administrative Offices: 2205 Pennnington Rd., Ewing, N.J 24-hour program for runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth ages 10-17 1530 Brunswick Ave., Lawrenceville, NJ. (609) 394-9000 (609) 771-1600 Anchor House Shelter, school Outreach Program, (609) 396-8329 Emergency services designed to assist victims of domestic violence and sexual Mary’s Place/T.L.I.T.: 1901 North Olden Ave., Ewing, NJ. (609) 671-0040 Anchorage Transitional Living Program, (609) 989-1625 assault immediately following the initial crisis. 24-hour hotlines (1-800-572- Providing 24/7 shelter for homeless LGBTQ youth ages 12 to 21 at four houses in Anchor Link Street Outreach Program, (609) 218-5630 SAFE) and Spanish-speaking staff available. Short-term emergency housing in a Mercer County Anchor Line, (609) 218-5630 confidential location for victims of domestic violence. Rescue Mission of Trenton Better Community Housing Trenton – Doorway to Hope 98 Carroll St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 695-1436 827 East State St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 396-5579 Emergency Shelter: Overnight shelter, meals and clothing for single adultsSoup Emergency shelter for homeless families in an apartment setting for up to 90 days. Kitchen: Every Sunday and 1st Saturday in 5-Saturday month

Addictions Treatment: Outpatient, Intensive Outpatient Program, Long-Term Escher Street SRO & Transitional Housing Residential, Halfway House 50 Escher St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 392-4599 Housing: Transitional Housing; Rooming and Boarding House; Permanent Sup- Single Occupancy Rooms for single men and women (Project Specific Section 8); portive Housing Transitional Housing for single men (26 beds) and women (8 beds). SRO accepts Other Services: Adult education, job training, thrift store, courtesy store, and Day transitional housing clients and walk-ins. Referred by Mercer County Board of Center services for homeless patrons Food Banks & Meal Services Princeton Deliverance Center Abundant Life Christian Fellowship Food Pantry Hamilton Township’s J. O. Wilson Neighborhood Center 301 Southard St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 392-9161. Wednesday (not 1st of month) 1440 Pennington Rd., Ewing, NJ. (609) 883-9780 169 Wilfred Ave, Hamilton, NJ. (609) 393-6480. Open Mondays from 10 am – 12 12:30 am – 1:30 pm, Friday 9 am – 12 pm pm, Wednesdays 1 pm – 3 pm. Arm in Arm Princeton United Methodist Church 123 East Hanover St., Trenton, NJ. Open Monday – Thursday 9:30 am –12 pm Holy Apostles’ Episcopal Church 7 Vandeventer Ave., Princeton, NJ. (609) 924-2613. Free community dinner, 48 Hudson St., Trenton, NJ. Open Monday – Thursday 9:30 am – 12 pm 1040 Yardvillve Allentown Rd., Yardville, NJ. (609) 208-0228. Dinner Tuesday, 5 Wednesdays 5 pm – 6:30 pm 61 Nassau St., Princeton, NJ. Open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 1:30 pm – pm – 6:30 pm 4pm and Tuesday 1:30 pm – 7 pm. Rescue Mission of Trenton (609) 396-9355. Food pantry, emergency financial assistance (rent, utilities, secu- HomeFront Pantry 98 Carroll St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 396-2183. 1st Saturday of a 5-Saturday month rity deposit, mortgage) for low income families and individuals in Mercer County. 1880 Princeton Ave., Lawrenceville, NJ. (609) 989-9417. Open Tuesdays 12 pm – and every Sunday. 11 am – 12 pm Pantry visits require photo ID and proof of Mercer County address. 8pm, Mondays and Thursdays 9 am – 5 pm. Resurrection Lutheran Church Food Pantry 4315 Nottingham Way, Hamilton, NJ. (609) 586-3355 Bethel Seventh Day Adventist Church Holy Trinity Catholic Church Food Pantry* 203 Hillcrest Ave., Trenton, NJ. (609) 393-2224 201 North Pennsylvania Ave., Morrisville, PA (215) 295-3045 Rise Food Pantry Open third Sunday of the month 8 am – 12 pm 225 Franklin St., Hightstown, NJ. (609) 443-4464. Jerusalem Baptist Church Open for limited food distribution on Monday through Wednesday from 9 am – 12 Bethel World Outreach Ministries International 150 N. Clinton Ave., Trenton, NJ (609) 394-9816. Third Saturday of a five Satur- pm Please call the office for requirements and information. 931 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Trenton, NJ. (609) 956-9228. day month and the first Saturday of a four Saturday month. 11:30 am – 1 pm. Call Community dinner Wednesday nights 5 pm - 6:30 pm for details on other services. Sacred Heart Church 343 S. Broad St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 393-2801. Soup Kitchen: 4th Sunday Lunch Cadwalader Asbury United Methodist Church Food Pantry Lawrence Community Center from 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm. Food Pantry: 3rd Tuesday of the month. 2 pm – 6 pm 900 Stuyvesant Ave., Trenton, NJ. (609) 392-1037 295 Eggerts Crossing Rd., Lawrenceville, NJ. (609) 883-3379 HomeFront-managed food pantry provides food bags on the first and thirdThurs - Samaritan Baptist Church Catholic Charities Community Food Pantry day of the month. Various programs for all ages and computer access for visitors. 531 Dr. ML King Blvd., Trenton, NJ. (609) 393-0016. Saturday 9 am – 11:30 am 132 N. Warren St., Trenton, NJ (609) 394-8847 ext. 2504 Open Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 9 am – 12:30 pm Lutheran Church of the Redeemer Food Pantry South Trenton Area Soup Kitchen 189 South Broad St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 396-2411 First Baptist Church, 128-140 Centre St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 393-8810. Monday, Celestial Church of Christ Food Pantry Last Thursday of month. Opens at 8 am on a first come first serve basis. Tuesday, Wednesday Dinner from 4 pm – 5:30 pm. 46 Weber Ave., Ewing, NJ. (609) 771-9227 Meals on Wheels of Mercer County St. James AME Church Christ Presbyterian Church (Ginny’s Pantry) 320 Hollowbrook Dr., Ewing, NJ. (609) 695-3483 413 Summit St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 448-7855 726 Klockner Rd., Hamilton, NJ. (609) 587-0751 Provides nutritious meals to homebound individuals throughout Mercer County. Community dinner, Wednesdays 5 pm - 6:30 pm

Concerned Citizens of Ewing Inc. Food Pantry Medallion Care Behavioral Health St. Mary’s Cathedral (Loaves and Fishes Food & Soup Kitchen) 320 Hollowbrook Dr., Ewing, NJ. (609) 882-0856 1 Electonics Dr., Suite 105, Hamilton, NJ. (609) 586-0766. Lunch Monday - 151 N. Warren St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 396-8447. Last two Saturdays of the month. Open Monday through Friday from 9:30 am – 1:30 pm Friday from 12 pm – 1 pm Lunch is 11 am – 2 pm

Divine Mercey Parish, St. Stanislaus Church Mercer Street Friends The Food Center at Morrisville Presbyterian Church * 60 Randall Ave, Trenton, NJ. (609) 393-4826. Thursday dinner, 4:30 pm – 6 pm 824 Silvia St., Ewing, NJ. General inquiries (609) 396-1506. Food Bank inquiries 771 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Morrisville, PA (215) 295-4191 (609) 406-0503 First Baptist Church of Princeton Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Food Pantry John Street & Paul Robeson Pl., Princeton, NJ. (609) 924-0877. Dinner Tuesday Mount Carmel Guild 801 W. State St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 392-3805. Food Pantry. Every other Saturday from 5 pm – 7 pm. 73 North Clinton Ave., Trenton, NJ. (609) 392-3402. Operates a food pantry Mon- 9 am – 11 am. Services via the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen are also available. Fri. 9:30 am – 11:30 am and 1:30 am – 3:30 pm First Haitian Church of God Food Pantry Trenton Area Soup Kitchen 1501 Greenwood Ave., Trenton, NJ. (609) 695-3708 New Covenant United Methodist Church 72 Escher St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 695-5456. Mon. – Fri. Lunch from 11 am – 1 1965 South Broad St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 393-4725 pm; Monday – Thursday Dinner from 4pm-5:30pm. Call for other services. First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown 320 North Main St., Hightstown, NJ. (609) 448-0055 New Hope Church of God Turning Point United Methodist Church Rise to the TASK Community Supper on Mondays from 4 pm – 5:30 pm 400 Hamilton Ave., Trenton, NJ. (609) 393-3293 15 S. Broad St., Trenton, NJ. Dinner served / Food Pantry. 3rd Sun. 1 pm – 3 pm.

First United Methodist Church of Hightstown NJ Conference Adventist Community Services Center United Progress, Inc. 187 Stockton St., Hightstown, NJ. (609) 448-0041. Rise to the TASK Community 2160 Brunswick Cir., Lawrenceville, NJ. (609) 392-7131 62 West State St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 392-2161. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Supper on Thursdays from 4:30 pm – 6 pm. Friday 9 am – 12 pm. Primera Iglesia Pentecostal (Alpha and Omega Inc.) Hamilton Township’s Bromley Neighborhood Civic Center 347 Second St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 571-9135. 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the West Trenton Soup Kitchen 1801 East State St, Hamilton, NJ. (609) 587-8100. Open Tuesdays from 9:30 am- month. 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. 801 W. State St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 902-042. Thurs- 11:30 am and Thursdays from 3 pm – 4 pm. day Dinner, 5 pm – 6:30 pm Health Services Catholic Charities, Behavioral Health Services Henry J. Austin Health Center (Chambers) 2000 Pennington Rd., Eickhoff Hall, Ewing, NJ (609) 771-2110 10 Southard St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 396-4557. 317 Chambers St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 278-5900. Services: Abortion Services, Birth Control Services, Emergency Contraception, General Health Care, HIV Testing, LGBT Services, and more. Integrated behavioral health and physical health services. Adult Medicine and other services. The satellite centers are open Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Appointments are encouraged. experiencing drug and alcohol addiction. Capital Health Medical System at Hopewell Henry J. Austin Health Center (Ewing Street) Rescue Mission of Trenton 1 Capital Way, Hopewell Township, NJ. (800) 637-2374. 112 Ewing St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 278-5900. 96 Carroll St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 393-3533. Residential and Outpatient Treatment Clinics, Medicaid, Medical Care, General Acute Medical Care. Adult Medicine and the above services and dental care. Open Monday through for addictions and co-occurring disorders. Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. Appointments are encouraged. Robert Wood Johnson Hospital at Hamilton Capital Health Regional Medical Center Mount Carmel Guild One Hamilton Health Pl., Hamilton, NJ. (609) 586-7900 750 Brunswick Ave., Trenton, NJ. (609) 396-6722 Clinics, Medical Care, General Acute Medical Care Accepts Medicaid, Medicare. Mental Health Crisis Assistance. Accepts Medicaid, Medicare 73 North Clinton Ave., Trenton, NJ. (609) 392-5159. Limited Utility and Prescrip- tion assistance. Home Health Nursing Services: visits for medication management, St. Francis Medical Center Carrier Clinic* vital sign checks, pre-filling syringes, adminster injections for economically disad- 601 Hamilton Ave., Trenton, NJ. (609) 599-5000 252 County Route 601, Belle Mead, NJ. 1-800-933-3579 vantaged, medically frail elderly. Free and do not accept third party payments. Clinics, Medical Care, General Acute Medical Care. Accepts Medicaid, Medicare. Access Center (24/7), Specializing in psychiatric and substance abuse treatment. New Horizons Treatment Service, Inc. The Salvation Army’s Trenton Adult Rehabilitation Center Accepts Medicaid (mental services only) and Medicare. 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 Family Guidance Center – Outpatient Care treatment, detoxification, methadone maintenance, methadone detoxification. Trenton Department of Health and Human Services - Clinical Services Behavioral Healthcare Services and Primary Health Care: Mon-Fri 6am-8pm. Accepts Medicaid, WorkFirst NJ, and self-pay. 218 N. Broad St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 989-3242 2210 Hamilton Ave., Hamilton, NJ. (609) 587-7044 Health Promotions and Clinical Services; Health Incentive Program for Women Oaks Integrated Care (HIP4W), Children’s Health Services. Substance Abuse Recovery Programs / Family Preservation & Recovery Programs: 31 Lexington Ave., Ewing, NJ. 609-583-1900. 946 Edgewood Ave., Trenton, NJ. (609) 393-1626 1001 Spruce St. Suite 205, Trenton, NJ. 609-396-6788 Trenton Treatment Center (Part of United Progress, Inc.) Consumer Credit / Counseling Service: 1320 New Willow St., Trenton, NJ. 609-396-8877 56 Escher St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 392-2822 314 East State St., Trenton, NJ. 609-396-4258 Trenton Treatment Center offers residential (for men only) and outpatient pro- 1931 Nottingham Way, Hamilton, NJ. (609) 586-2574 2550 Brunswick Pk., Lawrenceville, NJ. 609-396-8877 grams for those addicted to drug and alcohol. Accepts referrals from MCBOSS, Children’s Day School / Children’s Day Treatment Program: Linkage to mental health services, medical services, entitlements and housing. client walk-ins, and referrals from other service provider agencies, and uninsured 1925 Pennington Rd., Ewing, NJ. (609) 882-2288 Call for appointment. Mercer County residents. Services include: outpatient mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, Oxford House family preservation services, a school for children with emotional difficulties, 1065 River Rd., Ewing, NJ. (301) 587-2916, Toll Free: (800) 689-6411 University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro* housing counseling, financial counseling and education. Halfway houses to transition from rehab to independent living for individuals 1 Plainsboro Rd., Plainsboro, NJ. (609) 853-7000 Clinics, General Acute Medical Care. Accepts Medicaid, Medicare. Henry J. Austin Health Center (Main) Princeton House Behavioral Health 741 Mount Lucas Rd., Princeton, NJ. (1-800) 242-2550; (609)- 497-3347 Inten- United Progress Inc. (UPI) 321 North Warren St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 278-5900 sive outpatient, partial hospitalization. Accepts Medicaid, Medicare. 162 W. State St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 392-2161. Offers fast track, pediatrics, adult medicine, OB/GYN care, social services, podia- Provides substance abuse treatment, HIV/AIDS counseling, employment and job try, eye care, behavioral health care, dental services, HIV and Hepatitis C testing Planned Parenthood development counseling, emergency food, utility, housing services and homeless and treatment. Have ID. Accepts Medicaid, Medicare. Monday through Friday 8 Trenton Center - 437 E. State St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 599-4881 prevention. am – 5 pm and Saturday 9 – 1. Hamilton Center - 2279 State Hwy 33, Hamilton, NJ. 689-4964 Human Services A Better Way Family Guidance Center - Outpatient Care Mercer County Office on Aging 65 Prospect St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 392-1224 Behavioral Healthcare Services and Primary Health Care: 640 S. Broad St., Trenton, NJ Specializes in mentoring, re-entry & gang reduction. 2210 Hamilton Ave., Hamilton, NJ. (609) 587-7044 Information for Seniors (877) 222-3737, (609) 989-6661 Substance Abuse Recovery Programs / Family Preservation & Recovery Programs: Mercer County Office for the Disabled Arm in Arm 946 Edgewood Ave., Trenton, NJ. (609) 393-1626 640 S. Broad St., Trenton, NJ (609) 989-6663 123 East Hanover St., Trenton, NJ Consumer Credit / Counseling Service: 48 Hudson St., Trenton, NJ 1931 Nottingham Way, Hamilton, NJ. (609) 586-2574 Mercer County Veterans Residence 61 Nassau St., Princeton, NJ 2280 Hamilton Ave., Hamilton NJ. (609) 989-6120. (Must apply in advance) (609) 396-9355 Children’s Day School / Children’s Day Treatment Program 1925 Pennington Rd., Ewing, NJ 08618. (609) 882-2288 Food pantries; emergency financial assistance (rent, utilities, security deposit, New Jersey Department of Labor One-Stop Career Center mortgage); workforce development, and driver’s license restoration assistance. Services include: outpatient mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, family preservation services, a school for children with emotional difficulties, 26 Yard Ave., Trenton, NJ. (609) 989-6200. housing counseling, financial counseling and education. Offers workforce readiness services and career resources. Referrals from MC- Catholic Charities – Emergency & Community Services BOSS, unemployment. Walk-ins accepted. (Monday-Friday), 8:30 am – 5 pm,

132 N. Warren St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 394-8847. Tuesdays, 8:30 am – 8:30pm. Provides support related to housing, food and mental health. Helping Arms 50 Escher St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 396-7500 Opportunities for All CEAS (Coordinated Entry and Assessment Services) Center Provides counseling, employment placement services, housing and other social services to low income people, and operates a prison re-entry initiative in Trenton. 1701 S. Broad St., Hamilton, NJ. (609) 394-7013 509 Perry St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 989-3722 Referrals from Dept. of Corrections. Training and employment opportunities to a diverse group of job seekers. We Monday-Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm specialize in working with applicants with disabilities. Operated by the City of Trenton, this center strives to provide services like hous- HomeFront ing, identification, and information about benefits eligibility. Administrative Offices Rise – A Community Service Partnership 1880 Princeton Ave., Lawrenceville, NJ. (609) 989-9417 Main Office, 116 N. Main St., 2nd Floor, Hightstown, NJ. (609) 443-4464. Providing case management to individuals in the East Windsor/Hightstown area. Central Jersey Legal Services, Inc., Homelessness prevention (rent/security); permanent service-enriched affordable Main office is open: Mondaythrough Friday 9 am – 4 pm 198 West State St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 695-6249. housing; food pantry; FreeStore; Furnish the Future. Monday – Friday 9am-5pm. (Closed for lunch from 1 pm – 2 pm daily) Will discuss legal issues with individuals, landlord/tenant or issues and will make Except Tuesday 12 pm – 8 pm appointments. Call for appointment (9 am – 4:30 pm). Social Security Administration Mercer Alliance to End Homelessness Child Care Connection 1001 Spruce St., Ewing Township, NJ. (609) 599-99762 635 S. Clinton Ave., 2nd Floor, Trenton, NJ. (609) 989-2254; 1-800-772-1213. 1001 Spruce St., Suite 201, Ewing, NJ. (609) 989-7770. Assists clients with social security card replacement, Disability info, questions and Resource and Referral agency assists families in their search for quality child care Mercer County Board of Social Services (MCBOSS) assistance in applying for SSI and SSDI. Call or walk-in. and provides access to child care subsidy funds. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 200 Woolverton St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 989-4320. Friday 9 am – 5 pm., Thursday 9 am – 6 pm Complaint Line: (609) 989-4400. Social Services: (609) 989-4451. Assist Trenton Area Soup Kitchen individuals with General Assistance, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, 72 1/2 Escher St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 695-5456 City of Trenton – Health & Human Services Supplemental Security Income and other services. Hot lunch and dinner; adult education; computer classes; job search assistance. 319 E. State St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 815-2160 M-F, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, T 8:30 am – 8:30 pm. Can call or walk-in. Monday to Friday Lunch from 10:30 am – 12:50 pm; Monday to Thursday Dinner Can provide emergency assistance for back rent, first month rent for the from 3:30 pm – 5 pm homeless and/or at-risk homeless, assistance for Senior Citizens, and other ser- Mercer County Clerk’s Office vices from its City Hall office. 240 W. State St., Floors 6 and 7, Trenton, NJ. (609) 989-6494 Ujima Urban Women’s Center ID’s- Voter registration forms, Mercer County photo ID, passport. 1001 Pennington Rd., Ewing, NJ. (609) 882– 2098 Providing compassion, advocacy, and training to urban women residing in Trenton Community Health Law Project Monday – Friday 8 am – 4 pm; Wednesday until 6:45 pm. Walk-ins accepted. and surrounding areas. Call for Appointment. 225 East State St., Suite 5, Trenton NJ (609) 392-5553. Mercer County Connection Discusses legal questions with those with disabilities. Offers a low-cost fee-for- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Trenton Vet Center service legal service program. Will make appointments. 957 Route 33, Hamilton, NJ County ID card and passport services. Mon, Wed, Fri. 10am – 6pm. Tuesday & 934 Parkway Ave. Suite 201, Ewing, NJ. (609) 882-5744 Thursday, 10 am – 8 pm. Saturday, 10 am – 3 pm. Community Justice Center U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Hamilton Outpatient Clinic 310 West State St., Trenton, NJ (609) 218-5120. Walk-ins accepted. 3635 Quakerbridge Rd., Hamilton, NJ. (609) 570-6600 Encouraging the empowerment, resiliency and rights of those struggling with Mercer County Department of Housing and Community Development General Medicine for veterans. disabilities by providing the essential ingredients of legal education, outreach, ad- 640 S. Broad St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 989-6858 vocacy and representation. Will discuss legal questions with veterans and disabled Provides heating/cooling assistance, first-time homebuyer assistance, residential U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Homeless Intervention Program and will make appointments. rehabilitation assistance, and affordable housing. Hotline is intended to assist homeless Veterans and their families, VA Medical M-F 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Centers, federal, state and local partners, community agencies, service providers Community Options, Inc and others in the community. 16 Farber Rd., Princeton, NJ (609) 951-9000 Mercer County Department of Human Services (1-877) 4AID VET (877-424-3838) (National) Provides housing and employment services for individuals with disabilities. 640 S. Broad St., Trenton, NJ. (609) 468-8296 Scott: Visits to Princeton Inspire HomeFront Artists By Essence Scott with our homework, and participated made my attendance possible. To my knowledge, the Triumphant in job-readiness workshops. It was in In addition to résumé building and Teens program no longer exists; and I was in the inaugural group of this program that I created one of my other professional development skills, this saddens me. There is a critical Triumphant Teens when the program first résumés. the program taught me the impor- need for such programs for adoles- first started over ten years ago in 2005. This invaluable learning expe- tance of hard work and true grit and cents growing up in particularly chal- I knew very little about high school at rience, along with my first job at the rewards that come of this. I also lenging circumstances. In addition the time; and I knew less about what to HomeFront’s main office on Princ- learned this from my parents, who to providing them with the support do when I graduated. The purpose of eton Avenue and, later, at their Fam- have worked tirelessly to provide for to move forward with their academ- the program, originally implemented ily Preservation Center (formerly my siblings and me. ics, the program disperses important by HomeFront, is to give at-risk teens at the Katzenbach School of the I learned how to come to work on information and practical life skills a vision of a life that includes college Deaf, now called HomeFront Fam- time, how to dress for an interview, related to ethics in the workplace, ré- and mainstream employment and to ily Campus on Celia Way in Ewing) what to say at an interview. While a sumé building, and SAT or ACT prep- prepare them for such opportunities. and prepared me to work and social- computer literacy class my freshman aration, among others. I am the first in my family to gradu- ize in a professional setting. year of high school jumpstarted this It provides teens with a safe, wel- ate from high school—a fact that I am The program also helped prepare all, I still needed to learn about other coming environment in which they incredibly proud of. Had the Trium- me for college. I am the first per- things with individuals who shared can realize their goals and cultivate phant Teens program not been around, son in my family to attend college, my experiences growing up. the educational, vocational, and re- I feel that I would have dropped out of and there was so much that I did not While the majority of the students lational skillsets that they need to school at age seventeen, at the begin- know at the time. In all honestly, I in my freshman year computer lit- achieve these. The Triumphant Teens ning of my senior year of high school. did not enjoy college as much as I eracy class could seek help with their program helped me tremendously in My younger brother and sister probably should have because of résumés from their parents and would receiving the jobs that I have gotten were also Triumphant Teens. In the my mental health; still, however, I have no problem getting a job, I could over the years. Perhaps, more impor- program, we prepared documents and am grateful for the experience and not. Triumphant Teens provided me tantly, it has given me the confidence applications for college, received help to the resources that I received that with this advantage and filled the void. and motivation that to pursue these.

Breeze from South Poetry Nour Galil

Sing a little Southern girl. For Love and Peace. You are a golden bright star. To the coming generation. Tell them the story. How it started. And how it’s done. To a beautiful end. Singing. Singing. Singing. It’s a new morning. After a long, star-less night. Dancing. Dancing. Dancing. To the rhythm. All the tribes’ rhythms. And dialects. Humming. Humming. Humming. Your favorite hymns. And play your sweet guitar. Singing. Singing. Singing. “Medusa” Today is a new day. John Jacobs pg 8 . The Wall Poetry How This Paul Norris

How this love? With curse and fist. How this love? The dummy list. How this love? With broken bone.

How this love? In menaced tone. How this love? See blackened eye. How this love? Alone to cry. How this love? Afraid to sleep.

How this love? This I weep. How this love? How this love? How this? “Living Life Golden” How this? Dolores Frails Scott: What I Learned from Being a Triumphant Teen By Essence Scott hope that we very well could be ac- much stuff and not enough room; the volved Cinderella as her sister. I put tors and actresses. It also helped me art space soon became my respite a grim spin on the text and spilled my Children experiencing homeless- learn a great deal about the world and from all this. negative feelings and thoughts onto ness do not always feel safe within perceive it as one big stage—full of One night, I remember visiting the page. themselves. When I was homeless, I opportunity, rehearsals, reruns, and a mural near the Arts Council with The experience of doing so was experienced this uncomfortable re- final performances. my class. I felt something stir in me euphoric and I felt much better after- ality. When I moved to Connecticut Attending these art classes also when I looked at the mural; it in- wards. I needed to confront the hurt Avenue, I still felt like I was home- helped me escape for a little bit. In spired me to write one of my first and anger that I was feeling and had less; I had to readjust. school, I was exceptional, but intro- poems. Much like the images on it not been for the particular focus There was one place where I felt verted and I did not make friends eas- the mural, I felt safe, insulated by of class that night, I may have suc- my absolute safest: the Arts Council ily. While I felt purposeful at school, this world that someone else made. cumbed to my mental torment. In of Princeton on Witherspoon Street. I did not exactly fit in. When I was I knew that I could express this with this instance and many others, the I went there with HomeFront on with HomeFront, I was still on edge my writing—something that I had art class provided me with a safe and Thursday nights for art class. because I was usually one of the old- found comfort and solace in for productive outlet to challenge and A lot of the time, I was the oldest est in the group—people of my age years—and so I began to write and I cope with the hurdles in my life. one there, but that did not matter to tended to be volunteers—but the op- have not stopped since then. Right now, there is much that me. On Thursday nights, we worked portunities that these art classes af- The class at the Arts Council I want to pursue in life. I want to with a number of different artistic forded me made it all worth it. I was helped me to find myself. One time write, play sports, and be an actress. mediums—painting, clay, and the learning to be present with myself and after a nighttime excursion with a The art classes that I attended as a performing arts, among others. practicing new and constructive ways person that I thought I trusted went teen and a young adult gave me a I have many fond memories of to express my feelings and thoughts. horribly wrong, I felt lost and isolat- safe haven to work through some of being swept into the world of A The Thursday night art classes ed. I could barely write anything, and my most difficult experiences grow- Christmas Carol at McCarter The- quickly become a staple—something I was so afraid of everything around ing up; they taught me to take con- atre in Princeton. I loved the times that I could look forward to every me. At class that week, we were do- trol of my thoughts and emotions in when McCarter performers came to week. I did not always like being at ing fairytale retellings. I wrote a ways that make my dreams realistic teach us a little something; it gave me home, a small motel room with too Sleeping Beauty retelling that in- and attainable today.

Winter 2017-18 pg 9 From Lead to Leaks: Problems Continue With Trenton’s Water By Annette Espinoza, Jared Kofsky However, in October 2016, it & Joshua Trifari was revealed that in 20 of Tren- ton’s older school buildings, includ- I’m Excited Poetry How is lead contamination im- ing Daylight/Twilight Alternative Pervis Upshur pacting Trenton residents? Over a High School and Grant Elementary I’m excited because I have good people around me. year after high levels of lead were School, there were levels of lead in I’m excited because I’m doing things in my life found in the water of most of the the water that were above the US that I thought I could never do. capital’s public schools, the answer Environmental Protection Agency’s to that question remains unclear. recommended guidelines. I’m excited cuz’ I have people to help me with stuff that I don’t know In recent years, there have been The extent of the problem in how to pronounce, but I am earning how to pronounce. widespread concerns across the New Jersey’s cities today is quite I’m excited because the sun comes all the way out, United States with aging infra- unclear. Rosenblatt stated some cit- and the sky is bright. structure, particularly in regards ies contain water mains “that can to lead levels in the water supply date back to the Civil War,” and that I can come out of my house and eat ice cream and talk to my neighbor. systems and paint in some of the part of the reason why many recent I’m excited because I’m starting to do things by myself, nation’s metropolitan areas. In discoveries of water contamination without help. 2014, over 100,000 residents of have been in cities is because ”ur- And I’m excited because I’m helpful to elders. Flint, Michigan, a small city that ban centers are where some of our They talk to me. They tell me things that I need to hear. like Trenton, was once a riverside oldest infrastructure is.” industrial powerhouse, were dis- In response to these crises, several I’m excited cuz’ I can go out and work, covered to have been exposed to New Jersey organizations and agen- and do somethin’ to earn money when I need it. excessive levels of lead. cies are calling for improvements. “This is an issue that has been Rosenblatt is one of the leaders of I’m excited because I’m myself. on people’s radars for decades,” Jersey Water Works, a 300-member I’m excited because nobody can take that away from me. Jane Rosenblatt, a program man- statewide organization dedicated to And I’m excited just to be excited. ager at Downtown Trenton-based upgrading New Jersey’s wastewa- I’m excited because I have another chance to keep myself first. New Jersey Future, told The Wall in ter, drinking water, and stormwater the spring. However, as a result of infrastructure. Members range from the recent revelations, ”people are local organizations like Isles to en- starting to pay attention to some of gineering films, according to Rosen- the daily impacts of our antiquated blatt, who stated that ultimate goal is water infrastructure, so we’re likely “investing in cost-effective sustain- to see something happening in the able solutions that benefit the com- coming years as far as investments,” munities served by these systems.” she explained. Jersey Water Works has partnered In the years that followed, New with New Jersey Urban Mayors As- Jersey schools began to test their sociation to develop policy recom- drinking water for high lead lev- mendations as to how to best update els, and the results in some dis- water infrastructure. tricts shocked many parents. In Meanwhile, Environment New the state’s largest city, dozens of Jersey is also seeking similar im- schools were found to have elevat- provements to prevent future crises. ed levels of lead, prompting New- Doug O’Malley, the organization’s ark students to be forced to drink director, stated that “obviously, most from bottled water. people can’t shell out the thousands A few weeks later, according of dollars that you can use to replace to The Trentonian, Trenton Water it, but a lot of what we want to do Works General Superintendent Jo- is start up with testing to be able to seph McIntyre testified that “we expose the extent of the problem and don’t have a lead issue” in Trenton, then use long-term state funding to and that “we’ve never had a lead- try to ultimately replace our pipes.” “My Waxy House Plant” based problem here in the water.” Randy Harms Continued on Page 12

pg 10 . The Wall Strokes That Make it Pop with Local Artist Demond Williams Annette Espinoza By creative spaces with other aspiring Our previous few editions have artists including Walter Roberson featured the vibrant and joyous and Susan Darley (among many work of Trenton native Demond Wil- others), who inspired and motivated liams. Here is a look into the life of one another. the man behind the brush. Currently living in Georgia “It all started with graffiti,” Wil- where he copes with Multiple Scle- liams recalls. From the age of 12 rosis, Williams looks back fondly at to 18, the thrill of his one and only his time in Trenton, his youth, and vice was defacing the walls of his his time with TCAT. Art to him is own city. But before that, Williams not just about the completed piece. remembers spending hours drawing In the process of creating his work, as a child. It was a drawing of Mick- William’s can feel his heart racing ey Mouse that assured him and his and his head flooding with memo- parents of an opportunity, a “way ries, emotions, and thoughts. out” of the plights of a troubled city At times he expresses that these limiting black men like him. sensations can get overhwelming to It was Williams artistic nature the point where he is forced to walk that paved a way for him: cultivat- away. And yet, to Williams, this is the ing his skills to explore and express beauty of art—in all its forms: “I love the world around him through col- the moment when you see musicians or, even when it was at its grim- hold a tune, that bliss, and satisfaction mest. The artist’s signature method of holding and controlling this instru- of mixing surrealism with visually ment that manipulates emotions and jazzy and bombastic tones is meant makes people feel sad or good. That’s to convey fluidity and movement in what music and art does.” his work. This and his many other While his style has certainly artistic choices are all deliberate changed over the years, Williams and are meant to take his audience will always return to his artisitic by surprise—they push beyond the roots: on a recent trip to a gal- boundaries of the ordinary. “The Taste of Funk” lery with his wife and children, he But before he was able to press Demond Williams remembers seeing a piece called his tools against a canvas, his first “White on White”. “All I could strokes of colors were on cardboard a city street that he was working from one particualrly challenging think of was how to deface it.” and then the streets of Trenton. “I on. He remembers hiding against and unusal assignment. The assign- Williams continues to make art and don’t know how to be bad, it’s just the floorboards that night. And ment was to paint a brown paper bag often sends it back to TCAT where his not in me, but graffiti was my bad.” although determined to finish his with every color he saw on the bag pieces hang on the wall of the soup Before enjoying the modesty and work, the lights were too daunting with the exception of brown. Wil- kitchen (TASK) and TCAT’s newest safety of being behind a canvas, and he left the peice unfinished. liams knew exactly what his pro- building, Stockton 51. Other pieces Williams remembers a time where “It was time to take it to the next fessor meant. Understanding colors are special orders and inquiries that he art was not as simple. Knowing that level so I began to work on painting through values of hot and cold, the gets from his self-managed Instagram his parents would be disappointed cardboard boxes and then canvas- colors he saw went well beyond just page where he showcases his work. and the high risks of being arrested es,” said Williams. He also worked the earthy brown; he recognized So what does the future hold for and ticketed associated with being to fine-tune his artisitic abilities and deep blues and hot reds and saw into Demond Williams? “I want to have caught vandalizing, young Wil- pursued a bachelors degree in com- the texture of what the bags looked my work in galleries and have my liams was always cautious. Never- mercial art. With increased knowl- like when it was crumpled. work viewed by a wider audience. I theless, it was an exhilarating feel- edge of terminology, technicalities, “It was a language I understood. have a lot to cultivate, I am still a stu- ing for him. and guidelines as to what “good art” It was unorthodox and I could re- dent and I am defintiely still learning.” Williams outgrew the adrena- was, Williams felt boxed in; after late to it,” Williams said. Soon after You can find Demond’s work on line of the graffiti after a piece the death of his father, the young this assignment, the artisit crossed his Instagram account (divinetreeur- was interrupted by the bouncing artist took a sabbatical to make art paths with the Trenton Community ban) and reach him via email at divi- blue and red lights on the wall of his own way. His biggest take away A-TEAM (TCAT). There, he shared [email protected].

Winter 2017-18 . pg 11 Trenton Water Crisis improving the state’s infrastructure. Continued from Page 10 “Yes we have to address the lead in our pipes, and that’s obviously a O’Malley cited Madison, Wiscon- concern, but we want a more com- sin and Seattle, Washington as exam- prehensive approach to infrastructure © 2017 ples of places that are currently “get- investment than that,” said Dan Fat- ting this right.” ton of the Ewing Township-based NJ Mission Statement Yet what actions are being taken Work Environment Council and the The Wall is dedicated to giving a voice to and empowering individuals right now to keep residents safe in recently established Jersey Renews experiencing homelessness, as well as raising public awareness of the Trenton, and should residents continue environmental campaign. “We know various issues facing the homeless population. to trust that their tap water is reliable? that we have to invest big money into Staff: A hydrologist in the United States our pipes underground but also in the Engy Shaaban, TCNJ Bonner - Editor-in-Chief Geological Survey’s New Jersey Wa- things that we see above ground like Annette Espinoza, TCNJ Bonner - Editor/Artwork & Poetry Coordinator ter Science Center who asked not to sidewalks and schools and other build- Jared Kofsky, TCNJ Bonner - Editor/Social Media & Web Coordinator be identified told The Wall that “the ings,” he added. McKenna Samson, TCNJ Bonner - First-Year Student USGS hasn’t collected any samples of The need for investment in infra- Joshua Trifari, TCNJ Bonner - First-Year Student water quality from the Trenton water structure in New Jersey’s capital be- Kristen Frohlich, TCNJ Bonner - Community Journalist Intern system that I know of,” and that he came evident on May 6, when a water Raj Manimaran, TCNJ Bonner - Staff Manager does not know whether or not there is main break caused another flood, this Teressa Price, TCNJ Bonner - Program Coordinator Michael Nordquist, Executive Director, TCNJ CELR significant lead in the city’s water. time in the Wilbur Section. One un- “Most, if not all, drinking water expected consequence of the damage Winter 2017-18 Editorial Review Board: in Trenton comes from the Dela- caused by the incident was displace- Frank Cirillo, Mercer Alliance to End Homelessness ware River and ment for residents in Jaime Parker, Trenton Area Soup Kitchen does not have de- “We know that we the community. Regan Mumolie, Rescue Mission of Trenton tectable lead con- As The Trento- Tarry Truitt, United Way of Greater Mercer County centrations when have to invest big mon- nian reported, the Janet Mazur, TCNJ Instructor it enters, much less ey into our pipes under- Fleming family was Nina Ringer, Director of Writing, TCNJ leaves, the water forced to leave their ground but also in the Contact: treatment plant on residence following Website: thewall.pages.tcnj.edu Route 29,” the hy- things that we see above the hurricane-like Facebook and Twitter: @TheWallTrenton drologist stated, ground like sidewalks flooding, as were Email: [email protected] adding that “any and schools and other other homeown- Phone: (609) 771-2548 lead in water in ers and renters in Trenton is likely buildings.” the area. According Acknowledgements: derived from the to Julie Janis of the A special thanks to the artists from ArtSpace at HomeFront and the municipal (under-the street) pipes Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, many Trenton Community A-TEAM, Montclair State University, and Reveal. and/or building plumbing.” clients of hers who are experiencing This means that it is largely up to homelessness were previously renters, the individual building or shelter to but were forced to leave the properties Artwork in this issue is availiable for purchase test whether their water is safe to drink that they called home following unsafe Trenton Community A-TEAM and that organizations should replace living conditions inside, such as pipe 51 North Stockon Street, old copper pipes or lead pipes with bursts and structural damage. Trenton, NJ 08618 new lead-free solder copper pipes Like the individuals behind Jer- while covering or removing lead paint. sey Renews, New Jersey’s non-profit [email protected] So what can you do for now to see organizations are building up to im- (609) 421- 0793 if your water is safe to drink? In order prove the environment of cities like to find contaminants, the hydrologist Trenton, a goal that, according to and Rosenblatt recommended that you Fatton, “is incredibly ambitious but run the water for at least 45 seconds to eminently doable.” However, consid- A note to our readers... a few minutes before drinking it. If you ering the crisis of elevated lead levels This will be the last issue of The Wall before the notice discolored water, you should and other issues facing cities across advise water or building officials. the state and the country right now, newspaper undergoes a name change. We will return in However, some New Jersey leaders the question is, will that be enough? the spring as The Streetlight newspaper. feel that tackling the lead in the water For updates on this story, please is just the beginning of the solution to visit www.thewall.pages.tcnj.edu. pg 12 . The Wall