Category Archives: News

News

Amy Flynn Brings Innovation, Decades of Nonprofit Leadership as New TASK CEO

By Rebecca Heath

Amy Flynn, Chief Executive Officer of the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, first learned the importance of giving back while growing up food insecure on a dairy farm in the midwest.

“There were times when we didn’t have heat in our home except for a wood burning stove,” Flynn said in an interview with The Streetlight. “I can remember my mom just piling blankets on top of us at night, waking up in the morning and being able to see my breath.”

Despite their own struggles, Flynn said her family always found a way to support their neighbors, a common practice in her rural community that sparked her decades-long passion for service.

“We never had so little that we didn’t have something that we gave away,” she said. “Whether it was going to a neighboring family’s home to help because someone was sick. … . I can
remember our neighbors coming to help us in similar ways.”

Flynn said she has always been particularly inspired by her grandparents, who often brought her along to help neighbors in need as a child.

“Both of them were just so dedicated to giving back. They truly set the example for all of us in the family,” she said. “Even in service now so many of our friends and neighbors are just one paycheck away from experiencing, it could be homelessness, it could be going without a meal.”

Motivated by her upbringing, Flynn has dedicated her life and career to serving her community. Following nearly two decades of non-profit leadership, including a recent two-year tenure as the CEO of Meals on Wheels of Mercer County, Flynn officially took the helm of TASK in January. The long-standing organization provides meals daily and offers a variety of programs and services to people facing homelessness and food insecurity in Mercer County.

Flynn’s appointment at TASK followed the retirement of Joyce Campbell, who led the organization for eight years before announcing her plans to step down as CEO in May 2024.

As Flynn maps out her goals for her tenure, she said she aims to
“figure out how TASK can continue to be innovative in its approach to tackling the issue of food insecurity, and to engage and involve our community partners.”

“Joyce Campbell was a visionary leader of this organization, and so
I felt very fortunate,” Flynn said. “I’m standing on her shoulders right
now. I mean, she and the board and this amazing staff here have already built so much, and so it’s important to me to keep that momentum moving forward.”

As one of her initiatives, Flynn said she hopes to expand training programs at TASK, such as Emilio’s Culinary Academy. The program,
which is the only one of its kind in Mercer County, teaches culinary
skills to aspiring chefs for free, and helps them land jobs in professional kitchens.

“I think there’s a lot of opportunity to grow around that space,” Flynn said. “There’s lots of culinary training programs, but I think what
makes Emilio’s Culinary Academy stand out is it’s a really small group, a specialized approach. … We have students in the program that have a lot of barriers, and so what’s wonderful is that they have the benefit of our case management team around
them.”

Flynn said the success of the culinary academy has sparked “the potential for us to feed into other training and skills programs,” including workforce readiness and development initiatives.

“We know that there’s always going to be individuals that need the soup kitchen…but if we have the opportunity to help people lift out
of needing this type of support, to find meaningful employment that
has generational impact…that piece really excites me,” Flynn said.

In addition to serving patrons from its flagship Escher Street location, Flynn said TASK has expanded to various satellite locations across Mercer County, and recently celebrated the one year anniversary of launching its food truck.

“We’re working hard to be innovative and get out into communities, to individuals that can’t come to the soup kitchen,” Flynn said. “I think it takes all of us working together to kind of cover our community and surround the community, with care.”

Since starting her role, Flynn said she has met with various board
members, staff members, volunteers and community partners to better understand the barriers the organization is facing and how to effectively address them.

“There’s always going to be challenges, and there’s nobody better to learn from than the people that are on the front lines every day,” Flynn said.

With recent federal policies jeopardizing programs such as SNAP benefits and Medicaid, Flynn said TASK has been working to
ensure the organization can continue serving their patrons. She anticipates the demand for TASK’s services to increase while donations may decrease.

“That presents a layered challenge because we’re going to have to provide more food, with the same amount of resources that we have, or perhaps we’ll have more limited resources because more families are experiencing financial challenges,” she said.

As Flynn and her team navigate uncertainty, working to ensure
the organization has “long-term sustainability” remains their
“number one priority.”

“Obviously what would be wonderful is if we could put ourselves out of business, that nobody was hungry. But we know that that’s not going to be the case for a while,” she said. 

Flynn said TASK will continue its efforts to “meet people where
they are,” and emphasized that food insecurity can affect anyone.

“I think it’s important for us to always understand that our neighbors, we have no idea what they might be going through, Flynn said. “It’s always important to me to pay it forward and give back.”

News

Trenton’s Medical Respite Center Offers New Hope for People Experiencing Homelessness

By Mika’il Malik

The Rescue Mission of Trenton has opened its Medical Respite Center, a facility designed to provide temporary care for individuals experiencing homelessness who have been recently discharged from a hospital.

According to Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs, this initiative is a collaboration with the New Jersey Coalition to End Homelessness, and is already making a significant impact in addressing gaps in post-hospital care for Trenton’s unhoused community since its opening on November 1, 2024.

The idea for the center was spearheaded by Ben Harris, a second-year Master of Public Affairs student at Princeton University, during his internship with the New Jersey Coalition to End Homelessness.

Harris played a pivotal role in establishing the center, helping develop its business plan, budget and operational model.

“A lot of what we’re doing is infection control and infection prevention,” Harris said in an interview with The Streetlight. “If someone comes out [of the hospital] with a wound or some sort of stitching and they go out into the street, that’s gonna have a high propensity to become infected.”

The Medical Respite Center offers a clean, stable environment for individuals to recover in while receiving assistance in transitioning to stable housing or shelter. The facility currently operates with four beds, and has a Licensed Practical Nurse and a case manager on staff.

Patients admitted to the center must be ambulatory, meaning they can still move independently or with assistance, and are encouraged to leave during the day to attend follow-up medical appointments, visit family or seek housing.  However, patients return in the evening to sleep and continue their recovery.

“The LPN helps with basic clinical supervision, like ensuring they take their medications or coordinating their follow-up care,” Harris said. “The case manager is there to help them plan what’s next — whether it’s finding housing or securing documents.”

The goal, Harris said, is to help patients fully recuperate before reintegrating into their everyday lives.

According to DuEwa Edwards Dickson, chief of supportive services at the Trenton Rescue Mission, patrons are typically referred to the Medical Respite Center directly from hospitals. Once admitted, individuals may stay for up to 90 days, though most tend to leave before reaching the 60-day mark. The facility also offers private rooms when necessary, providing additional flexibility based on patients’ needs.

Funding for the center initially came from the state, recognizing its role in infection control and reducing hospital readmissions. Mercer County has also contributed funding. However, Harris noted that securing long-term financial sustainability remains a challenge.

“We’re trying to make it a well-oiled machine that’s fully operational, but we’re still working on long-term funding,” he said.

Beyond its practical benefits, the center is helping reshape public perception of homelessness in Trenton. Harris emphasized that
facilities like this not only benefit individuals in need but also serve the broader community by reducing hospital costs and encouraging long-term recovery.

News

Public Safety: Combating Violence Through Community Outreach in Mercer County

By Alexus Twyman

As an everyday issue, safety is often at the forefront of people’s minds, either while commuting to work or school. In Trenton, New Jersey, various nonprofits and community-led organizations are working to address some of the contributing factors of crime and strengthen community ties in the process.

An organization hoping to create positive change is the Trenton Community Street Team, which has a mission to provide “public
safety for the people by the people” through supporting local families to end cycles of abuse.

The Trenton Community Street Team, also known as TCST, uses a variety of intervention practices to provide crucial services for communities in need. A few of these services include allocating
resources for victims of violence, creating a safe school environment for children, and providing space for community members and local officials to discuss methods for addressing responses to conflict.

Other organizations that are working to find a solution to the root causes of crime include the Mercer County-based New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence, or NJCEDV, which focuses on creating a society “free from oppression, injustice, and violence,” according to its website.

Formed in 1980, originally under the name New Jersey’s Coalition for Battered Women, NJCEDV focuses on leading “collaborative community and systemic responses to domestic violence” through various initiatives to increase public awareness and provide support for survivors.

One initiative hosted by NJCEDV is the New Jersey Men of Courage Network, which has multiple branches in the northern, southern
and central regions of New Jersey.

The goal of the Men of Courage Network, as stated on its website, is to prevent domestic violence through unpacking patterns of toxic masculinity and “engag[ing] men and boys as allies” to end cy-
cles of abuse.

More recently in January, Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora and the Trenton Police Department announced a 45% decline in homicides in January 2023.

Despite the decline in violent crime incidents, many questions remain regarding the most efficient way to curb crime throughout Trenton.

Since the death of George Floyd in May 2020, the involvement of law enforcement has come under scrutiny nationally due to accusations of racist policies and practices that occur in more segregated areas.

According to a 2021 Department of Justice Report, African Americans made up 33% of people arrested for non-fatal violent crime despite making up 13% of America’s total population.

These statistics may be explained through various systemic issues that can make people more prone to crime, such as poverty, familial relationships and unemployment.

Systemic factors are often underlooked when considering the reasons behind crime.

In more segregated and urban areas, law enforcement may be viewed as a source of contention due to the history of racial and economic discrimination. Differences in expectations of police can differ between communities.

According to the Council on Criminal Justice, a city located in a business district would be more likely to have a positive view of law enforcement compared to the residents of an urban neighborhood.

Differences in perceptions of police not only vary by economic standing but also by racial background. One example is the history of “stop-and-frisk,” a tactic commonly used to find potentially dangerous weapons. These searches are typically carried out in cities deemed high-crime neighborhoods that often have a higher proportion of people of color, the Associated Press reported.

Violence prevention groups, such as the New Jersey Men of Courage Network, strive to dismantle the structures in place that allow for domestic violence to occur. These programs aim to start a conversation and uplift unheard voices through providing a safe space for many in their local communities.

Not only can crime prevention initiatives help ensure safety in local communities, but they also serve to reinforce and improve community bonds.

News

Mobile Outreach Project: The Rescue Mission’s Van Offers Addiction Recovery Services

By Rebecca Heath

The Rescue Mission of Trenton — armed with a variety of resources and support from local non-profits — provides addiction recovery services through a mobile outreach initiative designed to meet people where they are.

The initiative supports individuals who are struggling with addiction in the Mercer County area, in partnership with Catholic Charities, Henry J. Austin Health Center and Iron Recovery & Wellness Center.

Staffed by peer recovery specialists, the van hits the road six days per week.

The specialists, some of whom have recovered from addiction or faced homelessness themselves, aim to build relationships, while serving as role models to individuals at all stages in their recovery.

The van primarily travels early in the morning to places where people experiencing homelessness tend to congregate.

Since its inception in 2022, the initiative has created a profound impact, and has grown to be an established and trusted resource
in underserved communities throughout the county.

According to The Mission, the initiative delivers coffee, food and clothing, dispenses Narcan kits, provides addiction treatment, ar-
ranges medical treatment and transports individuals in need of
housing assistance to The Shelter.

The Mission’s Behavioral Health Center, which is a state-licensed
treatment facility, offers both short-term and long-term support for individuals battling addiction, according to the organization’s website.

“With the vast capabilities of our unique partnerships, this outreach program is allowing us to provide what is needed, for individuals struggling with addiction — engaging this in their healing process,” said Barret Young, CEO of The Mission.

According to Chalia Perry, peer recovery specialist, the team aims to empower the individuals they serve through consistency and compassion.

“Showing up every single day, I think that plays a big part. … I’m
not in a fancy suit. I’m just me in rare form,” Perry said. “They take
me with all my aspects the same way I take them.”

For Perry, sharing her own experiences with homelessness allows her to develop trust and meaningful relationships with patrons.

“Where somebody else might shy away from them, from giving them a hug or saying hello, we’re there,” Perry said. “This is not just my job,
this is my family. This is what we get up for every day.”

News

Rising Costs, Rising Seas: Climate Correlation in New Jersey

By Giada Schwam

Climate change continues to be a pressing issue for many vulnerable areas around the world. People who do not have access to adequate housing, food, water and other crucial resources are the most affected by pollution and climate change, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Over 20 million people are displaced around the world each year because of natural disasters and other extreme climate change events. Hurricanes, wildfires and mudslides can leave many peo-
ple without homes. Rebuilding or buying a new home is not accessible for everyone, so many are forced into homelessness after natural disasters.

Those who are migrating from areas that are inhabitable due to natural disasters and climate change are also susceptible to homelessness. People without stable housing are most affected since they are not protected from the elements.

“Climate just adds to the challenges of being homeless,” said Diane Bates, a TCNJ environmental studies professor.

People who are homeless during the climate crisis are less likely to hear about public health threats from an incoming natural disaster, and therefore may not be able to evacuate in a timely manner. Weather exposure also makes homeless people vulnerable to hypothermia, dehydration and heat exhaustion.

“Because of the greater instability of winter storms and places in New Jersey getting more concentrated rainfall events, those things are more likely to put people who are living outdoors at greater lev-
els of risk,” Bates said.

A staggering 91% of homeless people who live in urban or suburban areas are susceptible to the heat island effect, which makes heat waves more intense. The heat island effect occurs when a com-
munity is surrounded by densely populated buildings that trap heat
and cause temperatures to rise. Temperatures all over New Jersey have been rising for longer periods of time.

During the summer of 2024, it was 90 degrees in Mercer County for a 14-day span. Higher temperatures cause stronger heat waves that can make chronic health conditions worsen with longer exposure.

“Large urban unhoused populations in New Jersey are also subjected to urban flooding, which is increasing,” Bates said, adding another layer to the environmental threat unhoused individuals are
facing.

According to Monarch Housing Associates, the homeless population has risen by 17% in New Jersey over the past few years. As of January 2024, around 12,000 people are homeless in New Jersey.

A report conducted on the affordable housing situation in New Jersey revealed that counties such as Atlantic, Hoboken and Camden are more exposed to sea-level rises, which is expected to increase along with the negative effects of global warming.

Rising sea levels and flooding not only displace people from their
homes, but also drive up housing costs.

“The cost of housing is increasing…part of that due to climate change,” said Bates. In high-risk areas like the Jersey Shore, regulations under the Coastal Area Facility Review Act (CAFRA) further complicate the housing crisis.

“Any area that is subject to CAFRA, from the Garden State Parkway to the ocean, have different housing standards for constructions. It’s more expensive to build in those areas because you have
to adhere to CAFRA standards,” Bates said.

As climate change intensifies, its intersection with housing instability must be addressed urgently, according to the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report. This report emphasized that solutions should balance environmental protection with equity, ensuring that the most vulnerable are not left further behind.

News

Trenton Health Team Web Application Connects Residents With Food Resources

By Tori Duym

The Trenton Health Team, one of several regional health hubs in the state dedicated to improving health and well-being, has developed the “Mercer County Free Food Finder,” an application created to address the increased need for food across the county.

In 2023, Trenton Health Team found that “74% of respondents in Trenton screened as food insecure.” Community Food Bank of New Jersey, which provides services to 15 counties, including Mercer County, saw a 26% increase in need for food assistance in 2024.

Based on these statistics and the growing need for food resources, a team of individuals developed the free food finder. Roosevelt Scaggs, Amir Touli and Liam Esparraguera, who are former Princeton University students in the computer science department, developed this app on behalf of the Trenton Health Team.

Princeton University’s advanced programming class approached the Trenton Health Team, offering to help with any projects they had in mind. This proved to be the optimal opportunity to get the app up and running.

The app is meant to provide resources for community members of all ages, and its mission is to improve health equity in the region. Staff at the Trenton Health Team maintain and update information on the app. 

The app includes many advanced features, like an interactive map display, a searchable directory, filtering ability and more, even including accessibility of locations thanks to the Inclusive Healthy Communities grant. The grant was created by the Department of Human Services Division of Disability Services, and aims to support communities.

The application also includes translation support, as Google Translate has been embedded into the website for easy communication ability in many languages. This feature allows the website to reach more individuals, as language barriers may have prevented use of resources in the past.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, “approximately 44.7% of residents aged 5 and over in Trenton, New Jersey, speak a language other than English at home,” so this translation feature gives nearly half the population clearer access to the application. 

This idea was given not only by the community partners, but by individuals who rely on these resources, as their feedback is requested and integrated. 

Matthew Broad, director of programs at the Trenton Health Team said that there is a large population of people who speak Spanish, Haitian Creole and Polish. “That was really important to us that the app was available in multiple languages,” he said.

This project began in 2020 amid the drastic lack of access to food during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has continued on ever since. The idea for the app was sparked by the Community Care Team, as people “found it challenging to find food because all of the pantries were changing their hours, they were closing, and a lot of that was based off of the fact that they usually rely on volunteers to run things,” Broad added.

Community partners are in constant communication with the Trenton Health Team. If you know of a free food location that is not yet listed, you may contact the organization for the location to be added to the directory. The free food finder is a comprehensive and accessible directory that has proven to be helpful and reliable during and after the pandemic, Broad said.

He explained that in surveys from the surrounding areas, it is clear that the “biggest barrier to accessing food resources is access to information. Folks don’t know what’s out there and what’s available to them, so Food Finder is one of our projects to help point them in the right direction.”

For questions, suggestions or updates, contact Broad at mbroad@trentonhealthteam.org, or call 609-256-4555.

News

Trenton Makes Bridge: The History and Legacy of the City’s Iconic Landmark

By James Kerr

When you think of Trenton, what comes to mind? People might think of the golden dome on the state capital building that can be seen while entering the city, Trenton Thunder Stadium, where legends like Aaron Judge played, or the historic parts of Trenton where the American Revolutionary War took place.

One piece of architecture that has been standing for 219 years that lights up the night sky and reflects off the Delaware River is the Lower Trenton Bridge, or the Trenton Makes Bridge, as referred to by locals.

The Lower Trenton Bridge was originally operated by the Trenton Delaware Bridge Company and was the first bridge to go across the Delaware River. The bridge links Trenton, New Jersey to Morrisville, Pennsylvania, and is a popular tourist attraction.

Beyond the physical purpose of the bridge, it has become a symbol of Trenton for visitors and residents of the city. Filmmakers, photographers and artists capture the bridge in their art. The bridge was featured in two romance movies, one from 1988 titled “Stealing Home” starring Jodie Foster and in “Baby It’s You,” starring Rosanna Arquette.

In 2018, the lights were updated with a new LED system, featuring a multi-colored lighting system. The colors change based on holidays or events. When the Philadelphia Eagles won the 2025 Super Bowl, the bridge was green. Recently, the bridge was illuminated with yellow and blue lights to represent the colors of Ukraine. But most nights, the bridge’s letters are red.

The famous phrase, “Trenton Makes, The World Takes” was coined by S. Roy Heath, who was the secretary of the Trenton Chamber of Commerce in 1910. The phrase represented the industrial power that Trenton was known for. Trenton produced goods such as steel, rubber, wire and ceramics. Many of these items were used in World War II and sent overseas, which represents “The World Takes” piece of the phrase.

In an interview with The Streetlight, Darren “Freedom” Green, a Trenton native, shared his perspective on the bridge and its impact on the city. Green spoke about the significant role Trenton once played in manufacturing goods, and how it brought prosperity to the nation and the city itself.

“‘Trenton Makes, the World Takes’ was Trenton exchanging what it was making so that the world could take it and know that Trenton was an amazing place to visit, so it was almost like an outreach component,” Green said.

“What made it special were the factories that were here that produce the rubber, the porcelain and everything that we were doing,” Green added.

He explained that the city is in need of change to be the place it once was. “‘Trenton Makes, the World Takes’ is a rebirth of the city and all that’s going on, but it’s gonna require the depth of the old to have a rebirth of the new,” he said.

Anudeep Deevi, a 2021 TCNJ alumnus who spent a lot of time in Trenton engaging in community service in college, shared his view of the bridge.

“The bridge shows the pride of a city that is not afraid to let the world know what they’re about,” Deevi said. “The shift from a production economy to a service economy also showed the shift from manu- factured goods to talented people in the arts, healthcare, technology and many more who call Trenton home.”

When asked about his perspective of the bridge’s meaning to the city, Deevi said “it’s a reminder of the immense potential that they have for enacting change both within their own communities and within the world.”

Deevi said the bridge “is a symbol to motivate students to achieve and dream big, for residents to find the issues wrong with the city and to fix them, and the community to never forget their roots.”

The bridge stands as a shining light glimmering over the Delaware River and can be seen by many when traveling through Trenton. The bridge will forever stand as a symbol for the city, representing its rich history and growing culture.

News

Where Play Meets Purpose: The Fan Favorite Club’s Community Impact

By Sakinah Ahmed

Every week, young athletes in the Trenton area learn more than jump shots and defense strategies at the Fan Favorite Club. They build their confidence and character through the innovative youth basketball program and a community that believes in their potential.

Founded in 2013 by professional basketball player and entrepreneur La’Keisha Sutton, the program has grown from humble beginnings to an organized operation in Hamilton. The organization now works with a core team including Director of Operations Romone Dunnagan and Coach Jeff Allen.

In an interview with The Streetlight, Allen said that the Fan Favorite Club worked out of public parks and gyms for the first few years. In 2019, they opened up their facility in Hamilton. Allen first learned about the program when Sutton came to speak at his high school. He said his biggest inspiration is the children who come and play from the Trenton area.

“Growing up I didn’t have any resources like this, so for me, it’s to give the kids a mentor to look up to,” Allen said. 

Having gone through the school system in the Trenton area, Allen’s experiences have led him to become a role model who strives to support the youth.

“At the end of the day, I get to work with my friends every day and we get to do what we love. We get to teach our life lessons through basketball,” said Dunnagan.

The club’s offerings extend far beyond basketball. While weekly classes run on Tuesdays and Thursdays, they have open gym on Saturdays. Throughout the day on Saturday, the club offers games for the youth such as chess, checkers, video games and other board games. They also host parties in the gym and holiday clinics for kids to play when they are off from school.

Dunnagan says they want to “be able to give back to them [the Trenton community] because somebody gave back to us.”

“So many gave back to us, and being there for the community and the surrounding communities is really important to them,” he said.

For clients interested in other activities, Simone Bryant, who goes by Monie B, offers music video classes that teach media production and photography. The club also has internship programs for youth to develop their skills in areas like coaching and secretarial work. 

For Dunnagan, the biggest challenge when working with youth is teaching the value of persistence. He says he aims to “get the youth to understand there’s a process. There’s a journey to all this. If you want to be as successful as you say you want to be, you cannot skip steps. You’re go- ing to have to go through something in order for it to mean it, just so it can mean a little more.”

Since its founding, the club has helped place over 20 students in college who have gone through its programs at different levels.

When these students come back during the summer, Dunnagan said “there’s so much energy in the building and it’s just flying around the room.”

Looking ahead, the Fan Favorite Club’s board aims to implement a summer camp program and expand its reach.

“We just want the good news of what we’ve been doing to be put out there,” Dunnagan said. “Hopefully the sponsorships come in.”

For Dunnagan, the club’s success story offers a broader lesson. 

“Anything is possible. You find a group of people that have the same vision as you and … you can move mountains,” he said. “We survived the highs and the lows of the business in general and we’ve made it out on the other side.”

News

Mary Gay Abbott-Young Looks Back on Decades of Service as Rescue Mission CEO

By Rebecca Heath

Mary Gay Abbott-Young may have recently retired from a 50-year stint as CEO of the Rescue Mission of Trenton, but the veteran advocate who led the organization through a period of evolution and growth, says she “never worked a day in her life.”

“I’ve had a wonderful career and met some of the most amazing people from our community, from New Jersey, and really, in some cases, from well beyond the New Jersey borders,” Abbott-Young said in an interview with The Streetlight. 

Abbott-Young, who concluded her career at the Mission in June, has always been driven by a passion for service. Following a brief stint as a volunteer with the AmeriCorps VISTA, she landed her first role at the organization in 1978 as a program coordinator, shortly after graduating from Temple University with a degree in social work. “I loved [the Mission] from the day I got there,” Abbott-Young said.

The social justice trailblazer subsequently moved up the ranks, becoming CEO and the first woman to lead the long-standing nonprofit in 1986. 

As a woman asserting her place in the organization, Abbott-Young recalls facing stigma from her male counterparts. While interviewing for her role, she said she was asked if she was married and if she was going to have children, to which she replied, “I don’t think you’re allowed to ask that question anymore.”

“You can imagine this young woman, fighting, coming out of the women’s movement and ready to take on everything,” she said. “And [I] get this conservative guy, who has the nerve to ask a question like that.”

Despite the initial challenges, Abbott-Young said she and her co-workers were united by a common desire: “To make the Rescue Mission the best place it could be for those people we served.”

Throughout her tenure as CEO, Abbott-Young says she was amazed by the resilience of the Mission’s patrons and the collective efforts among nonprofits, government agencies and private sector organizations to address the growing issue of homelessness in Mercer County. Abbott-Young cited initiatives such as the Continuum of Care Program, which has helped alleviate the homelessness crisis through providing funding for efforts by nonprofit providers. 

“The stars have all lined up throughout my career with very, very few exceptions,” she said

However, at the root of the homelessness crisis is economic poverty, which “opens up an entire world of different issues,” Abbot-Young said. In order to create a systemic impact in alleviating poverty, issues like racial, economic and educational inequality must first be addressed, she explained.

“Unless we are willing to move into those areas, all of the wonderful progress that we’re making will continue to be individual based rather than system based,” she said. 

For the Mission, Abbott-Young said the biggest hurdle in effectively serving the community has always been finances. While her predecessor refused government funding, even as the organization was “close to closing,” gaining support from local, state and federal agencies marked a pivotal step in the organization’s history. 

“We had a knock-down fight about it, but I believed we had to accept it to keep serving people,” she said. “Eventually, he agreed to support my direction. That was a pivotal change for the Rescue Mission.”

“The culture changed when we took government funding,” she added. “But the support from the state, business community, and government was remarkable. Instead of pushing people away, they were asking, ‘How can we help you help these people?’”

Since its inception in 1915, the Mission has grown to encompass a shelter, behavioral health center, a thrift store, food pantry and vocational development services. In the last year, the organization has helped more than 4,000 individuals and served nearly 200,000 meals, according to the Mission’s website. 

“The organization has never missed a day of service,” Abbott-Young said. “We never failed to open that shelter door. We never failed to be there for them and to keep our residents who were in treatment for behavioral health issues safe in a residential building. That was not the work of a lone CEO. It is the work of the entire organization’s dedication.”

Despite her decades of service and transformative leadership, Abbott-Young considers her greatest accomplishment to be raising her two children. Her daughter, who is now an attorney, advocates for homeless families at HomeFront, and her son, Barrett Young, has succeeded her as CEO of the Mission.

Although Abbott-Young said stepping down from her post was “more bitter than sweet,” she realized during the Covid-19 pandemic that her “lack of ability to use technology was a deficit to both me and the organization.” 

 “If you could figure out how to make me 50 years younger and I can start my career again at the rescue mission, I’d be happy to do so,” she said. 

As she looks ahead to the future of the organization, Abbott-Young said she hopes whenever someone steps on to the Rescue Mission’s property, the first question will always be, “Did you eat today?” 

“And second, I pray that everyone who interacts with our clients is able to look in that person’s eyes and see not only their pain, but also see their potential.”

News

The Sleeping Ban: How Could the Supreme Court Ruling Affect the City of Trenton?

By Mika’il Malik

The U.S. Supreme Court issued an important ruling on homelessness, in a 6-3 decision on June 28, 2024. The Court upheld the right of cities to ban and penalize outdoor sleeping and camping, even when shelters are unavailable. 

According to NPR, this decision overturned lower court rulings that argued such bans constituted cruel and unusual punishment, sparking debate about the balance between public order and humanitarian concerns.

According to WHYY, homelessness increased 12% nationwide compared to last year, and now people are forced to choose between sleeping and breaking the law. NPR also reported that critics have argued that this ruling “criminalizes” homelessness without addressing its root causes, further marginalizing those in need.

However, supporters claim it is essential for public safety, ensuring that people use the available resources and attempt to maintain order in cities. 

Although not many cities have yet issued a complete ban, some cities have been utilizing this ruling, and are taking action against the homeless community. The town of Grants Pass, Ohio, which won the Supreme Court ruling, is allowed to start issuing a $295 fine to anyone sleeping outside.

Additionally, according to the New York Post, after Atlantic City officials discovered a homeless encampment under its boardwalk over the summer, they have been working on preventing people from setting up any camps. Since the Supreme Court now allows bans, Atlantic City’s council is now considering implementing one.

The City of Trenton and nearby areas are not immune to these problems. As homelessness increased by 31% in the Mercer County area within the last year, according to Anchor House’s website — an organization that provides services for youth facing homelessness this new decision, if implemented in Trenton, could further exacerbate the challenges for many people.

Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora recognizes how impactful this decision is on the Trenton community, stating that the City will “take a more compassionate approach, balancing the need for public safety with the necessity of providing support to those experiencing homelessness,” in an interview with The Streetlight.

Additionally, Gusciora said “it is reasonable to enforce a ban on sleeping in public parks and playgrounds, as these are spaces meant for children and families to enjoy without concerns about safety.” But he affirms that, “Our goal in Trenton is not to criminalize homelessness but to provide the necessary resources and opportunities for people to rebuild their lives.”

Gusciora pointed out that programs like “ARRIVE Together,” help ensure that interactions with homeless individuals are handled sensitively, and pairs police officers with mental health professionals.

Additionally, Trenton benefits from a strong network of organizations, including the Rescue Mission, Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, HomeFront and Arm In Arm.

These organizations work together to provide food, shelter and essential services for those in need, ensuring the homeless community receives dignified care. Gusciora said that the City of Trenton will “remain committed to lifting peo- ple up while ensuring our public spaces are safe for everyone.”

The U.S. Supreme Court issued an important ruling on homelessness, in a 6-3 decision on June 28, 2024. The Court upheld the right of cities to ban and penalize outdoor sleeping and camping, even when shelters are unavailable. 

According to NPR, this decision overturned lower court rulings that argued such bans constituted cruel and unusual punishment, sparking debate about the balance between public order and humanitarian concerns.

According to WHYY, homelessness increased 12% nationwide within the last year. Now, people are forced to choose between sleeping and breaking the law. NPR also reported that critics have argued that this ruling “criminalizes” homelessness without addressing its root causes, further marginalizing those in need.

However, supporters claim it is essential for public safety, ensuring that people use the available resources and attempt to maintain order in cities.

Although not many cities have yet issued a complete ban, some cities have been utilizing this ruling, and are taking action against the homeless community. The town of Grants Pass, Ohio, which won the Supreme court ruling, is allowed to start issuing a $295 fine to anyone sleeping outside.

Additionally, according to the New York Post, after Atlantic City officials discovered a homeless encampment under its boardwalk over the summer, they have been working on preventing people from setting up any camps. Since the Supreme Court now allows bans, Atlantic City’s council is now considering implementing one.

The City of Trenton and nearby areas are not immune to these problems. As homelessness increased by 31% in the Mercer County area within the last year, according to Anchor House’s website — an organization that provides services for youth facing homelessness —this new decision, if implemented in Trenton, could further exacerbate the challenges for many people.

Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora recognizes how impactful this decision is on the Trenton community, stating that the City will “take a more compassionate approach, balancing the need for public safety with the necessity of providing support to those experiencing homelessness,” in an interview with The Streetlight.

Additionally, Gusciora said “it is reasonable to enforce a ban on sleeping in public parks and playgrounds, as these are spaces meant for children and families to enjoy without concerns about safety.” But he affirms that, “Our goal in Trenton is not to criminalize homelessness but to provide the necessary resources and opportunities for people to rebuild their lives.”

Gusciora pointed out that programs like “ARRIVE Together,” help ensure that interactions with homeless individuals are handled sensitively, and pairs police officers with mental health professionals.

Additionally, Trenton benefits from a strong network of organizations, including the Rescue Mission, Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, HomeFront and Arm In Arm.

These organizations work together to provide food, shelter and essential services for those in need, ensuring the homeless community receives dignified care. Gusciora said that the City of Trenton will “remain committed to lifting people up while ensuring our public spaces are safe for everyone.”