Category Archives: News

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.”

News

Understanding Maternal Health and Inequities in Trenton

By Alexus Twyman

Whether receiving a minor scratch from a pet or accidentally spraining a leg on a morning jog, there is one thing that everybody wants: quality healthcare. Receiving healthcare in a prompt and efficient manner can either be life-changing or life-saving.

However, disparities in healthcare services can persist and often interfere with patients’ access to services. The healthcare industry can sometimes take implicit biases from American society, in turn affecting how certain groups are treated, according to the National Library of Medicine.

Typically, differences in health outcomes are more likely to happen to marginalized groups, such as people of color, women, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community and individuals of lower socioeconomic status. These differences can lead to patients receiving a substandard level of care, even possibly result- ing in serious injury or death.

An area impacted by outcome disparities is maternal health, with the increased rate of maternal mortality for women of color becom- ing even more of a concern after the Supreme Court’s controversial overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022. As reported by USA Today, some of the states with the highest mortality rates for pregnant Black and Latina women include New York and New Jersey.

Another compounding factor on these disparities is having an intersectional identity, such as be- ing both a Black person and a woman. According to John Hop- kins Bloomberg School of Pub- lic Health, Black women are “two to three times more likely” to die due to complications of pregnancy than white women, regardless of their individual education level. To help combat these concerns, in 2023, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed Bill A-5516, requiring certain healthcare profes- sionals to undergo bias training. This bill serves as an unofficial update to Bill S703, signed in 2021 that would require only maternal healthcare providers to take bias training.

In Trenton, there are multiple organizations examining the root causes of maternal mortality and hoping to spark a conversation and start change. One such organization is the capital city’s own Trenton Health Team, which aims to work “toward equity” through “ad- dressing community conditions, social justice, and bias,” according to the organization’s website. Originally beginning as a response to the closure of Mercer Medical Center in the early 2000s, Trenton Health Team formed to improve the health of Trenton residents and provide quality healthcare. 

Additionally, recent developments earlier this year point towards the construction of a new maternal health center in Trenton as a part of New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy’s wider Nurture NJ campaign. Launched in 2019, the campaign, focusing on pregnancy and post-partum related care, looks to provide supportive environments for women to ensure their health needs are met.

As healthcare disparities continue to impact marginalized individuals, more local organizations are focused on spreading awareness to the wider Trenton community about maternal health resources. New initiatives, such as bias train- ing legislation and efforts from organizations, aim to address these concerns and allow for greater access to care for all residents. 

News

Te Veo: Tamara Torres’ Journey of Art and Activism

By Sakinah Ahmed

Tamara Torres, a Puerto Rican artist based in Trenton, depicts powerful and vivid scenes with varied mediums. To her, art is a form of activism and the pathway to change. Through her art, she brings awareness to issues that women of color face, specifically in the Trenton area.

In a new exhibition titled “Te Veo,” Torres explores various themes through 18 different pieces, including landscape paintings, conceptual sculptures, and collages. This solo exhibition was presented in La Galerie Adrienne in Trenton between Sept. 21, 2024 and Nov. 1, 2024. When describing her creative process, Torres said that she always starts with a blank canvas. She embraces spontaneity by not planning out what she is going to create.

“My paintings take about four to six hours, and my collages take around one to two hours to put together,” Torres said.

She prefers creating art in a more hectic environment with music and television shows playing in the background. “My brain works better when there’s a lot going on. When things get silent, I start to overthink,” Torres explained.

Torres’ art holds common motifs varying from her different mediums. One such motif is the “Shadow People.” To her, they represent constant survival. They are the people that she has known over her lifetime that did not make it. She described herself as “stepping on their shoulders.” She says, “They are spiritual guides so that I always remember where I came from.” Another common motif is the “Blind Eyes.” She said they symbolize how “people are aware but not aware. People don’t want to take action.” She continued to say that they are not pretty eyes, just as society is embarrassing and sad.

The highlight of the exhibition is an intricate piece titled “Te Veo.” Over the last year, Torres went through some big changes. She had just finished writing the play “Tres Her- manas,” which highlighted Afro-Caribbean themes through musical elements. During this time, she fell into a depression and felt inclined to stop creating art altogether. A friend of hers reached out and insisted that she paint a piece for a window display called “Windows of Understanding.”

 

To get back into the creative mindset, Torres collaborated on a separate piece, “The Awakening,” with the painter and muralist Louie Blaka. During the creation process, they only stopped painting to refill their brushes, and they remained silent. After the collaboration, Torres said she was reminded of why she is an artist. “When it’s [the art] in the future, and you’re [the artist] not there, it will be seen,” Torres said. She painted “Te Veo” right after this col- laboration.

When presenting her art in exhibitions, Torres aims for viewers to connect deeply with her art and experi- enc her pieces as she views them. “My goal is that people who look at my art stand in front of my pieces for more than five seconds,” she said. Every time a viewer looks at Torres’ art, they can take away something new, such is the nature of abstract art. Torres takes inspiration from poets, musicians and writers. Whenever she travels, she always visits book- stores to discover new authors.

 Some of the musicians she takes inspiration from are Queen Latifah, Nina Simone, Kendrick Lamar, and even varying classical musicians. Regarding artists, Torres said that “one of the greatest blessings is knowing artists. Anyone reading this article should find artist friends to bring joy and light into their lives.” Out of all of the many paintings she’s created, Torres said that “Te Veo” is her favorite. She is also very passionate about “Blind Eyes” and “La Luz.” 

When asked if she believes her art has the power to drive social change, Torres said she hopes it drives individual change, which is the first step to making a positive impact. 

Torres is determined to tell her truth and to inspire others to reveal theirs. Reflecting on her art, She gave the example of a glass of water with pepper floating at the top. With each added drop of water, the pepper changes and disperses.  Her message to every reader is that “you can’t change the whole world… you can get overwhelmed. … If you concentrate on your own drop to make the pepper change, then that is well enough.”

As an artist, Torres believes she must open doors for others and inspire artists wherever she presents her work. When she first started painting, she created art for the main purpose of financial stability. Now she said she paints for herself and does not concern herself with the opinions of others. She understands that her art may not be for everyone, but she said, “There’s someone, somewhere, that my art is gonna move.”  

Looking ahead, Torres hopes to one day exhibit a piece in the Museum of Modern Art of the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City. She has also always wanted to exhibit in Egypt.  

Between intervals of laughter, Torres remarked, “Even if my kids put up one of my paintings in the bathroom of the MOMA, it’ll still count to me. And I’ll know I’ve made it.”

News

Voting is Your Right, Use Your Voice

By Tori Duym 

For many people, the question of “Am I allowed to vote?” is at the forefront of their minds, especially in a presidential election year.

People with a criminal record  or unhoused individuals may not be made aware of their rights and simply assume that they do not have any when it comes to voting. However, this is not true. 

Individuals who are currently incarcerated for any misdemeanor charges are still able to cast their vote from the facility that they are in. It is only if someone were convicted of a felony that they lose the opportunity to vote, only while actively incarcerated. 

Thanks to current legislation following the advocacy of many organizations, including League of Women’s Voters, at the national, state and local levels, there has been a shift for a more inclusive view on voting rights. Directly following their release from incarceration, citizens gain their right to vote once again. The only stipulation to this is that they must re-register, but this is made an easy process with the help of voting rights groups. 

Unhoused citizens or those without a permanent address also are entitled to their right to vote. Several organizations including Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, Rescue Mission, and local churches or pantries will allow individuals to use their address to register with and receive mail at. Any address will work, as long as it is not a P.O. Box. 

Due to the increased presence and advocacy of organizations like the Hopewell Valley Division of LWV and community spaces that offer time for them to come in, Mercer County is becoming more informed about making their voices heard. These organizations focus on presenting people who may be unaware of if or how they can vote or register, with information on how to do so. 

LWV began at the national level in 1920, originally as an activism group, fighting to give women the right to vote, and eventually developing into a group to promote voting for all. Men and women alike are now a part of this organization and they provide “Voters Services” all over the country. 

LWV is a nonpartisan organization that works independently on the local level for the most part, besides an occasional partnership with small nonpartisan civic group. However, on the national level addressing issues such as the environment, education, health issues or voting rights, many partnerships are possible. 

Joann Held, president and coordinator of the Hopewell Valley League, has been in her position for about 20 years, and been with the organization for about 40. This local chapter of LWV has a small but active membership that are able to provide “Voters Services” not only during presidential election years, but every year. 

Held also pointed out that “everyone knows this year is a Presidential election, but there are other things on the ballot as well, like Senate elections and local officials as well”. LWV creates an informational guide on local officials called Know Your Valley, which can be helpful for that extra education on how to fill out a ballot in its entirety. 

LWV’s Hopewell Valley Division also makes sure voters are educated on the primary elections as well, as Held says “We have a card that explains Primaries, because a lot of people don’t vote in a Primary…you really do need to give them some information so they know how to go about it.”

LWV attends community events like Harvest Fair, and goes to community based spaces like local coffee shops, Trenton Area Soup Kitchen and Pennington Farmers Market to help people learn their rights, handout information cards and packets, and help people check if they are registered or help them register. 

As of recently, the LWV has started attending naturalization ceremonies in Trenton as well and helping eager new citizens register to vote.

 “That has been a really wonderful experience…because they know they really want to participate in our civic environment,” Held said. 

According to Held, the most important thing to do when it comes to election time is to “make a plan to vote,” and not just go in blindly. 

She suggests asking for help from organizations such as the LWV and planning out how, when, and where you will be voting. Ways to vote include early in-person voting, mail-in ballots, or in-person voting on Election Day. 

As Held emphasized, it is important for people to be made aware of their rights so that they can have a say in who they want to represent their country, based on the policies that align with their personal views. 

If you are unaware of your voting rights, or have questions about the process of voting, visit the Hopewell Valley Division League of Women’s Voters website https://hopewellvalleylwv.org, or check nj.gov with the keyword “voting.”

News

Accessibility of Mental Health Support Increased for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness

By Tori Duym

In recent times, mental health concerns have grown to be a central focus of society. According to Mental Health America, about 19.86% of people are experiencing some form of mental health battle. Many individuals struggle in silence simply because they do not have access to the proper resources for treatment. Whether it be for financial reasons or lack of information, this can be avoided.

In May 2023,  Gov. Phil Murphy implemented a bill supporting unhoused individuals receiving free and accessible mental health care. Several government officials, such as the Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver and Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman have commented positively on this legislation as they believe mental health should be prioritized for all. 

The New Jersey state government partnered with the NJ Coalition for Ending Homelessness in the process of creating this legislation.

“This legislation is an important step in the right direction to provide the wraparound services people experiencing homelessness throughout our state so desperately need,” CEO Connie Mercer said in an article from the Department of Human Services.

Additionally, Mercer County has a mental health division that is committed to serving the community and offering help. This division is another element that works hand-in-hand with the implementation of Murphy’s bill. They can help unhoused individuals easily navigate these new resources and also address the concern of being able to afford the services.

The Division of Mental Health is a county-funded resource, and it plays a role in assisting to enforce the new bill as well, making sure that everyone in need is receiving access to essential mental health resources.

The Division of Mental Health’s mailing address can be found at 640 S. Broad Street in Trenton, NJ, P.O. Box 8068. Michele Madiou, director of mental health for the division, can be reached at mmadiou@mercercounty.org. The DMH can be reached at 609-989-6574. 

Several emergency shelters in the area including Rescue Mission and others in Mercer County now offer free mental health support for individuals experiencing homelessness. If you or someone you know is in need of support, please do not hesitate to reach out to any of these resources as New Jersey is now required to provide access to mental health support, thanks to the A-4755 bill.

News

Hamilton Elks Lodge Strives to Provide for Veterans Experiencing Homelessness

By Tori Duym

On Feb. 7, the Hamilton Elks Lodge hosted an event to raise money and supplies for veterans experiencing homelessness as they help place them in apartments and homes, for the second year in a row. This event was held in conjunction with Business Networking International (BNI) as they work closely with the cause of housing veterans and providing them with the essentials needed to live comfortably. The event used a clever title, “3 hours 2 support 1 homeless veteran at a time,” getting their message across and explaining the event all in one. 

Rose Romaine, the head coordinator of this event through the Elks Lodge, who also has a connection to BNI, poured her heart and soul into organizing such a wonderful night to provide for a worthy cause. Joe Glover, president of the Elks Lodge, expressed his gratitude for all of the hard work Romaine put into the planning and execution of this event. 

“All of the credit goes to Rose, I’m just here to support and help provide veterans with the support they need,” Glover said.

Glover also expressed his gratitude for all of the volunteers and their hard work from everyone it took to make this event possible. He is very passionate about helping the homeless veteran community.

When speaking with Romaine, she provided information as to what goes into the Welcome Home packages that are provided to the veterans. She explained that each package comes with items like furniture, plates, bowls, silverware, bedding and some appliances. Their goal for the night was to raise a minimum of “$7,501, because we did $7,500 last year. . . but I would love to see us raise $10,000 this year.” All funds go directly towards buying “welcome home” packages for veterans experiencing homelessness. 

Business Networking International Area Director for Mercer County, Shawn Donelson, talked passionately about their co-sponsorship of the event, along with BNI’s annual golf tournament, to raise money for the same goal. He explained that this event raised the most money out of all of their events for the cause. 

Donelson emphasizes the importance of providing these welcome home kits to veterans, as he says “When a homeless veteran gets placed into a home, there are a lot of necessities that they need, including things like a bed, furniture, and more.” Welcome home kits include a wide variety of items,with the goal of raising enough money and donations to provide at least two full kits, with their future events continuing to provide more. 

During a conversation with Navy veteran Hank Elmer, he explained the impact of the event from his perspective. He currently serves as the committee chair of veterans, stating that after his tough return home from service, the Elks Lodge “works very hard to make sure veterans now won’t be treated the same way.”

Elmer also explained that the Elks Lodge works closely with the Veterans Association in order to place veterans in small homes or apartments. This process is possible for veterans who have served two years of active duty service and received an honorable discharge. There has been a significant increase in the number of veterans receiving assistance to find a home from last year to this year. According to Elmer, the amount has gone from approximately 12 veterans a month to over 30 now. 

The Elks Lodge has branches all over New Jersey, holding several annual events for veterans and to raise money for those who currently are experiencing homelessness. One of the most popular events, the Jim Hall Memorial Picnic, is held annually in June at the Brick Township Elks Lodge, which Elmer said has a large turnout each year. 

There are many opportunities to get involved or to receive assistance from the Elks Lodge in collaboration with companies such as BNI and other organizations like the Veterans Association. 

News

Vanessa Solivan Empowers Trenton Families Through New Beginnings Housing Program

By Rebecca Heath

When Trenton native Vanessa Solivan, a mother of three who had long battled housing insecurity, became overwhelmed with rent costs amid the pandemic, the home health aid began to look for avenues to become a homeowner. But as she reached out to numerous organizations, she quickly grew frustrated over the lack of opportunities for low-income individuals and families. 

“Why aren’t we giving people an opportunity? We’re working just as hard. It’s not our fault that these jobs are barely paying a living wage,” Solivan said in an interview with The Streetlight. “Housing should be a right. Why here in the richest, wealthiest country in the world are working mothers with children finding it difficult to follow their dreams?”

Determined to make a difference in her community, Solivan began working with the City of Trenton to spearhead the New Beginnings Housing Program, an initiative that seeks to provide City residents with abandoned houses, and the financial tools to redevelop them, according to The Trentonian. Approximately 1,000 properties around Trenton are abandoned, and while the program is starting small, Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora told PBS that expansion is on the horizon to address this crisis. 

“I’m very excited about [the initiative], and I see it having a lot of potential and just kind of inspiring people,” Solivan said. 

Through the pilot program, Solivan gained ownership of 651 North Clinton Ave., her childhood home. 

“It’s not finished yet but I’m still proud to have it the way that it is,” Solivan told The Trentonian.“I’m following in my mother’s footsteps who is the first generation to own a home.”

“My mom was the first person in our family to be a homeowner, so to see her working and being responsible and paying the bills and doing everything that she was supposed to do, to this day, I could only want to be like her and be a homeowner,” she said. 

After the construction of her home is completed, Solivan said that the program will move forward with recruiting other families. Through Solivan’s journey, the program facilitators will work out the “kinks,” to ensure a smoother process for future participants. 

“I’m definitely happy with the progress,” Solivan said of the construction process. “We recently just got word that we will start our demolition phase pretty soon. I think that’ll be a very exciting time for not just my family, but the community, because everybody is watching. And they’re very interested to know about the program. So I will be excited to show that we’re moving along, that the program is still alive.”

While people of all ages have expressed interest in the program, Solivan said the population they are primarily targeting is families with children. She emphasized that prospective participants should be employed and have documentation, such as state identification and a W-2 form.

“I want us to be careful with the people that we are choosing and make sure that we have the right candidates that will really want to be a homeowner,” she said. They want to be in the city. They invested in the city. Their children go to the schools here.”

Solivan said that while participants must be able to prove they are ready to embark on homeownership, they aren’t looking for people with a perfect credit score. 

“If that was the case, you wouldn’t need our help,” she said. “We can help them build up their credit and work on all those kinds of things through the financial literacy and the homeownership program.”

While Solivan’s recent advocacy work has centered around housing security, the 38-year-old is no stranger to using her voice to empower her community and catalyze change. In 2018, Solivan began advocating for better pay for home health aids, in addition to fighting to reduce lead in Trenton’s water, soil and air. 

Solivan has also become involved with the Trenton Restorative Street Team, where she has aided in efforts to promote justice and peace in the city. As a board member of the Princeton Justice Initiative, Solivan has also recently hosted share fairs in hopes of providing free legal services for individuals who cannot afford a lawyer. 

Solivan said she considers herself a spokesperson for mothers like herself in Trenton. Though she acknowledged that working with the government to develop the program has been a slow and tedious process, she stressed her determination to continue fighting on behalf of her community. 

“You have to keep pushing. You have to keep fighting. You have to keep making awareness,” she said. “I feel like I’m the voice for the unspoken, these moms that can’t get out there and fight because they’re too busy working to take care of their families.”

Although Solivan is first and foremost committed to supporting the city of Trenton through her initiative, she doesn’t intend on stopping there. She said she hopes to eventually bring the New Beginnings Housing Program to other states, and one day, expand internationally. 

“I feel like I’m slowly but surely spreading my wings and hopefully, I’ll be able to take this to other cities, other states and across the world,” she said. “There’s a lot of people living in poverty and suffering from homelessness, but I always feel we have to start at home first. I made a commitment to my community and I want to be a woman of my word and continue on helping the people.”

As she prepares to further expand her efforts, Solivan emphasized the power of numbers in making her ambitious dreams a reality. 

“Hopefully we can get more investors and more people involved in the city and just rebuild,” she said. “I mean, I can’t do it all alone. New Beginnings can’t do it all alone. But if we all work together, do you know how powerful that would be? So that’s what I’m calling for. In the city of Trenton, we need to come together more and work together.”

News

Anchor House Provides a Safe Space for Adolescents, Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness

By Rebecca Heath

Ever since its 1978 establishment, Trenton-based nonprofit Anchor House has strived to serve as a community safe haven for children and young adults experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.

Though it began as just a shelter, the organization has since grown to encompass a wide range of programs and services, from trauma-informed counseling to life skills and education assistance.

To fulfill its mission of supporting more than 1,000 youth and families each year, Outreach Services Director Ben Thornton said the nonprofit relies heavily on collaborative, community efforts.

“We have to incorporate intelligent partnering,” Thornton said. “We have to bring the resources of the community together and learn to work within the community to raise awareness for youth experiencing homelessness…and to make sure that the young people themselves know where to find resources.”

Though a majority of the organization’s services are designed for local youth, Thornton said the stigma surrounding homelessness often discourages displaced young people from seeking essential resources.

In order to combat this systemic obstacle, Anchor House assembled an outreach team that aims to inform this population about “what they are experiencing and where those resources are for them to get back on the right path,” Thornton said.

For temporary housing crises, Anchor House provides a 30-day shelter placement to young people who have been removed from or have voluntarily left their homes.

The shelter, which is located on Centre Street in Trenton, lies next door to their transitional living program. This residential facility houses individuals facing homelessness who have recently entered adulthood and are no longer eligible for foster care, yet still require support as they transition to independent living.

“They all live in the same home but they have their individual rooms, and there they learn some really critical life skills,” Thornton explained. “They get therapeutic services, mental health services, and they start to basically stabilize in a program like that and start learning life skills and everything that will take them forward.”

To accommodate young adults who have outgrown the supervised living model, Anchor House launched their “Anchor Line” program, which provides each participant with their own apartment — without the burden of paying rent.

“This is where they are learning to live alone,” Thornton said. “They’re learning to incorporate those life skills, running their daily lives, and getting ready to be able to pay rent and to handle leases and work with landlords.”

At each stage of housing support, Thornton said counselors are tasked with helping their residents achieve self-sufficiency through building their support network and teaching them how to access resources within their communities.

In an effort to create a platform for their clients to provide input and share their experiences as they navigate their path to self-sufficiency, the organization established a youth advisory council in 2014. This empowering initiative offers opportunities to build leadership skills, network with other individuals facing similar struggles and invoke meaningful community change.

“This is where we give the young people in our services a chance to tell their story if they choose to,” Thornton said. “And to build community with other young people from other programs so they can understand the diversity of placements and the trajectory of where they may want to go.”

News

The Shop Reopens to Provide Aid to TCNJ Students, Members of the Mercer County Community

By Jahsaun Blackshear

In the modern world, countless people are experiencing hardships. There are students facing a lack of resources that are not being properly fulfilled. The U.S. fights against hunger and for the fulfillment of the needs of communities. In New Jersey, various volunteers, donation centers and fundraising organizations are dedicated to ending hunger. The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) has stepped up to create a way for students and community members who are struggling to afford sufficient food.

Following the Covid-19 pandemic, TCNJ reopened its food pantry, The Shop, which provides for the surrounding neighborhoods in Ewing and TCNJ students by offering food, utility assistance, TCNJ Student Emergency Fund and other necessities.

When asked what inspired her to be a part of The Shop, Case Manager Alexa Horvath said, “providing food to the campus and local community and helping to address at least one basic need.”

Because students’ main focus is on their academics, The Shop helps alleviate some students’ concerns surrounding food insecurity by providing basic necessities. The Shop’s mission of serving the community takes it one step closer to eradicating food insecurity on campus. According to The Shop’s website, nearly 30% to 40% of college students face some level of food insecurity. When asked about the impact The Shop has on the community, Horvath said, “Whether this is something that our community uses to help through a difficult time, or more regularly to help support their access to food, the amount of visitors that we have seen over a relatively short period of time seems to indicate that this has been a valuable resource.”

The Shop helps students on campus both academically and personally. It also helps with networking, meeting new people and gaining access to better resources.

Through providing food to the campus and local community, The Shop addresses at least one of their basic needs. The Shop’s staff wants everyone to know that “you can make a difference and help keep our shelves stocked by donating non-perishable items.”

Anyone wishing to donate to The Shop can do so by visiting give.tcnj.edu. Click “give now,” select fund: “The SHOP@TCNJ.” The Shop also has an Amazon registry where people can donate items to them.

The Shop is located at 700 Campus Town Drive, which is at TCNJ’s campus. Those seeking to connect with The Shop can also contact them at care@tcnj.edu and follow them on Instagram @theshop__tcnj.