Tag Archives: Tanzim Didar

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Catholic Charities in Trenton Fights Homlessness with Compassion and Action

By Tanzim Didar 

As the housing crisis worsens across New Jersey, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, organizations like Catholic Charities in Trenton are stepping in to fill the gap — offering not just emergency support, but pathways to long-term stability. 

From food pantries to a Rapid Re-Housing program, the non-profit organization reaches thousands of people each year in Mercer County and beyond.

“We have several different residential programs,” said Hollis Painting, community communications manager at Catholic Charities. “We help people maintain their housing and not lose it. Our services extend outside of Trenton, including Mercer, Burlington and Monmouth Counties.”

In New Jersey, there has been a significant decrease in affordable rental housing that is available to low-income families whose income falls below the poverty line. About 75% of low-income renters are dealing with major cost burdens. Additionally, about 43% of these individuals are single caregivers. These individuals spend more than 30% of their income towards rent, leaving them with little to no money for basic necessities.

One of the most impactful programs offered by Catholic Charities is their Rapid Re-Housing initiative, Painting said. Funded through federal, state and county sources, the program helps people experiencing homelessness secure permanent housing by covering up-front costs, like the first month’s rent and security deposit.

“This way we can help people start somewhere,” Painting said. “There are some eligibility requirements, but we encourage everyone to call us and find out if they can qualify.”

For those at risk of losing their homes, Catholic Charities also pro- vides Homelessness Prevention services. These services include help with rent, mortgage or overdue utility bills.

“Whatever we can do to help maintain individuals’ homes and help them get back on their feet,” Painting said. “If someone is struggling to pay their rent or mortgage, they can come to us. If they qualify, we can help them with some of their rent.”

In addition to housing support, the organization provides case management services that help people access SNAP benefits, find nearby food pantries or seek employment.

As Painting noted, the need for these services is growing fast.

“These past few months we have noticed an increase in the number of elderly individuals coming to us. But our numbers are up across all the boards,” she said.

In 2024 alone, the Mercer County food pantry served more than 1,200 people.

 “The number of people coming to our food pantry is increasing,” Painting said. “It’s very challenging right now.”

Catholic Charities doesn’t stop their support once someone is housed. “Our coordinators actually stay in touch with our patrons after we help them settle,” Painting said. “We want to make sure they’re really okay – not just today, but in the long term.”

In a time when basic needs like housing, food and stability are increasingly out of reach for many, Catholic Charities remains a steady force of hope and support in Trenton. 

For anyone facing a housing crisis, Painting has a simple message: “We’re here to help. Call us.”

The organization can be reached at 800-360-7711 or info@cctrenton.org

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Bridging Gaps in Healthcare Accessibility: A Spotlight on Capital Health’s Community-Centric Approach

By Tanzim Didar 

Healthcare is a fundamental need; however, there are many inequities within the system. Almost 13 million people say they know a friend or family member who has died because they couldn’t afford care, according to CBS News.

According to HUD Archives: News Releases, on a single night in January 2020, 580,466 people, about 18 out of every 10,000 people, experienced homelessness across the U.S. — a 2.2% increase from 2019. 

Much of healthcare in the U.S. is not affordable and thus not given equally. However, there are many nonprofit clinics that are dedicated to addressing these disparities.

Katherine Stier, director of marketing and public relations for Capital Health, a nonprofit hospital located in east Trenton among other locations, shared her insights on nonprofits and how they help the community.

Capital Health’s main hospital, which is a level two trauma center, is located on Brunswick avenue in Trenton. They have an additional hospital in Hopewell, which is located across the street from the Trenton airport. 

“I handle the community education events at Capital Health,” Stier said. “I’ve been here for about seven years and Capital Health has been in Trenton for 50 to 80 years.”

Stier, who has worked in healthcare for 25 years, said 90% of hospitals are for profit. 

“As a nonprofit, we don’t really make money,” Stier said. “We always try to take in medicare and medicaid patients, because everyone has a right to care. We also have balance because there are people who have healthcare insurance and they pay, but when you walk into our emergency department, some individuals don’t have health insurance, so we work with individuals to tighten up on a paying system or government substance.”

Stier said Capital Health implements initiatives that helps sure each individual patient is receiving the care they need.

“All in all, we take care of everybody,” she said. “Some hospitals only take some kind of insurance or payers, letting them decide who they can take in or not, but we do not do that here.”

Given the demographics of Trenton, a lot of individuals do not have health insurance or may not be citizens, and are afraid to go to the hospital, so Capital Health tries to take care of many individuals and make them feel comfortable. 

“We also have a mother baby clinic where we take care of people, so there are a lot of different events and care given,” Stier said. “We run a food pantry every week through Arm and Arm and we go to different sites and hand out food. We are really involved in Trenton beauce the CEO is all about Trenton and the community. He feels that with the healthcare system, it’s really our basic goal to be the center of the city because if you’re healthy, you don’t need to go to our ER. We want to keep everyone healthy.”

Since its establishment, Capital Health’s mission statement has never changed. They have always been committed to serving the city of Trenton. 

“I’ve always been in healthcare,” she explained. “So, I started off at a children’s hospital, where 93% of every dollar went towards patient care, so patients don’t need insurance. I would see some of these children come in who were paralyzed and missing a limb, and they would leave with a prosthetic arm, leg at no cost and or even get back surgery, basically things that would help them live their life at a better quality.”

“For me, it’s always been an involved process,” Stier added.”I just see the good there is. The facility is always making sure individuals are fed and getting free screening they need. Some of our doctors are the most compassionate people I have ever met in my life. They give so much of their time and energy to work these free screenings, give lectures and make sure everyone receives what they need. If I can just tell their stories, then I have done my job.” 

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Navigating Challenges and Building Bridges at Trenton Area Soup Kitchen

By Tanzim Didar 

In the heart of Trenton, a small but determined group of individuals has diligently been working on improving the community’s living conditions. These individuals are members of the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, and their mission is to address local issues in the surrounding area. 

TASK is driven by a group of dedicated volunteers who feel compelled to address various community issues. Although their work may not be the most glamorous and their impact, while meaningful, may not take the spotlight, that is not their first priority anyway; they are more focused on the work they do behind the scenes.

According to TASK’s website, the organization served its first meal on January 13, 1982. The organization currently serves 9,000 meals per week at 36 locations near Trenton, and offers a wide variety of programs and  services to help encourage self-sufficiency and improve quality of life.

Patrons Services Specialist Evie Spadafora shared her thoughts and experiences, offering a glimpse into the complex realities faced by patrons.

“I work with volunteers, but the biggest part of my job is patron services. I meet with patrons who come to my window and ask me for everything from who they should talk to about an issue to needing socks or razors,” Spadafora said, describing the multifaceted nature of her role. Her office serves as a central hub where solutions are sought, and assistance is provided to those in need.

Spadafora’s connection with TASK dates back to her days as a girl scout leader.

“I would bring scouts over from Bucks County to do volunteer work,” she explained. Her commitment to community service persisted, leading her to a year of AmeriCorps service when a job transition presented an opportunity to work with TASK. Her journey highlights the diverse paths that bring individuals to serve in critical roles within community organizations like TASK.

The changing demographic landscape of Trenton has presented unique challenges, particularly in fostering cultural understanding.

“The biggest issue right now is cultural understanding,” She said. “The people who have lived in Trenton for years are seeing a sudden influx of Hispanic and central European people, and the languages charged along with the cultural challenges really are heightening people’s moods and the way they are reacting with each other.”

In response, TASK is actively addressing these challenges by incorporating different languages into its services.

“I have taken Spanish, and my French has also improved,” Spadafora notes, underscoring the organization’s commitment to inclusivity.

Spadafora’s personal experiences further shape her approach to demonstrating compassion towards patrons.

“I myself am an immigrant,” Spadafora said. “My parents are German, and I grew up speaking German. So, English is my second language, like a lot of the patrons that come to TASK.”

Her diverse background, including living in various parts of the U.S. and Germany, has exposed her to different cultures.

“I always realized that I am very blessed, but any one of us may need a soup kitchen at any time,” she said, emphasizing the universal vulnerability that transcends cultural and linguistic boundaries.

Spadafora’s work at the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen goes beyond mere duty – it embodies a commitment to building bridges between communities, fostering cultural understanding, and providing essential support to those in need. With Spadafora’s guidance, TASK continues to serve as a beacon of hope in Trenton, bridging gaps and fostering a sense of community for all.

TASK has been involved in local charity work as well. They coordinate food drives and fundraisers to support local families in need. These initiatives have helped many residents put food on the table, even if only temporarily. Yet, the deep-rooted poverty issues in the area remain a formidable challenge.

Spadafora succinctly defines TASK’s mission: “We strive to create a welcoming environment where individuals can find not just a hot meal, but also a sense of community and dignity.”

She highlighted the transformative impact on the community.

“Our soup kitchen is not just about providing sustenance; it’s about restoring hope and fostering a sense of belonging,” she said. “We see faces light up when we serve a warm meal, and that, in itself, is a powerful form of outreach.”

Spadafora described the vital role volunteers play at TASK.

“Volunteers are the backbone of our organization,” she said. “They bring an extra layer of warmth and care to the dining experience. Whether serving meals or engaging in conversations, their dedication is truly invaluable. “

“Our mission is not just to feed the hungry but to nourish the soul. Through compassion, understanding, and a commitment to dignity, we aim to make a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve,” said Spadafora, marking TASK’s role as a source of hope, resilience and community in the heart of Trenton.

While their work may not be the solution to all the issues facing Trenton, it’s a reminder that every bit of help counts, even when it does not always make headlines.