By Neyssa Deriphonse
Arm In Arm, a cornerstone of community support in Mercer County, helps individuals access essential resources, such as food, shelter and other critical services.
The non-profit organization aims to provide not only immediate relief, but also the means to sustain needs. One of the nonprofit’s key initiatives is the 50 Family Challenge, a new campaign designed to bolster its Homelessness Prevention and Housing Stability programs.
In fiscal year 2024, Arm In Arm’s Homelessness Prevention and Housing Stability services made a substantial impact by preventing eviction for 193 households through rental assistance, helping 37 households with security deposits to secure housing and helping three families avoid foreclosure with mortgage assistance.
Additionally, the organization supported 103 families, including over 240 children, with emergency services and temporary housing in collaboration with the Trenton Board of Education’s Parent Connect Program.
Shariq Marshall, Arm In Arm’s development and community engagement coordinator, told The Streetlight that the cost of living for a family of four in Mercer County is around $73,000, which is far above the federal poverty level of $27,750. Marshall also said that 90% of the families receiving housing assistance are led by single parents surviving on only one income.
Some families are still suffering from the impact of the pandemic in terms of housing. Consequently, the Homelessness Prevention and Housing Team holds monthly meetings to discuss financial plans to better serve those families.
Understanding data is also crucial to advance the 50 Family Challenge campaign. “It’s very important that we know who we’re serving, the demographics and how we’re serving them,” Marshall said.
Arm In Arm partners with agencies to understand the community needs. Arm In Arm also values community feedback and constantly seeks ways to improve accessibility of their services.
The organization anticipates improving the goals for the 50 Family Challenge in the future. “We aim to make the next campaign bigger and better,” Marshall said. “It’s about achieving stability for families in food, housing, and workforce development. We want to share more success stories and see tangible improvements in the community.”
“We’re not just putting a Band-Aid on issues but educating families to prevent future crises,” Marshall added.