HomeFront Receives an Early Christmas Gift!
| The Times of Trenton Editorial - 12/22/2009
STAFF WRITER
There is not a bit of ambiguity when it comes to the name of HomeFront's Family Preservation Center. That is exactly what the center is all about and what it continues to accomplish each day. Not an easy task in the best of circumstances, family preservation becomes even more challenging and difficult when the families in question have lost the grounding of their own home or temporary shelter. And while the reasons are legion and often linked, homelessness recently seems to be hitting families harder than individuals. National surveys by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Conference of Mayors suggest that the number of people at shelters or roaming the streets has remained roughly steady. But a HUD survey of several communities around the country showed that, from March to June, there was about a 2 percent increase in the number of homeless families, even as the number of non-family homeless fell slightly, as Times Staff Writer Meir Rinde reported in a Sunday story. Trenton reported a 1 percent increase in sheltered family homeless during the 12 months ending in September, echoing the situation in three-quarters of the responding cities, according to the mayors' report. That explains the nearly always full house at the Family Preservation Center in Ewing, where families in need are referred by the county Board of Social Services. It's a bright and cheerful place, ringing with activity and enlivened by dozens of families -- mostly mothers and young children -- gradually learning the skills that will help sustain them in the wide world. Experts believe that objective of independence with a working knowledge of available services and support systems is the most powerful means of breaking the cyclic nature of homelessness. "How these children turn out depends on what kind of precious services they start to get here," Center Director Thora Faigle said. "You build a resilient child by one healthy connection at a time. Without these healthy connections or additional supports, these kids are going to be lost." As their mothers get help with parenting skills, children are given security and responsibilities. When the changes begin to take hold, the soundtrack of the family dynamic quiets from shouts to conversation. According to the success stories of both past and present clients, the Family Preservation Center manages to strike a remarkable balance by answering the immediate needs of its clients while preparing them for self-reliance. Guided by HomeFront Executive Director Connie Mercer, perpetuated by indefatigable employees and aided by government and volunteer efforts, its vision and its work are to be commended. It seems to be the gold standard. <<Shrink>> |
An Appeal During a Year of Crisis
What will Thanksgiving day look like to the children of families in crisis in Central New Jersey without our help? There will be no turkey dinner on the table — and possibly no table. What will Christmas be like without our help? There will be no tree and no presents when they wake up. There will be no morning of play and family — without our help.
This holiday season comes at a time of national economic crisis. More and more children and families face losing their homes. More face a time of desperation and loneliness, not a time of celebration.
Foreclosures hit a record high during the third quarter of 2009. Many hardworking people lost their jobs—and then lost their homes. And all of this pain was reflected in the growing crowd of people gathered at the front desk of HomeFront, looking for food, shelter and help. During the past year the number of people asking us for help has increased 34%.
This is placing pressure on both our volunteers and our resources. Anyone who has manned the front desk on a food day with tell you what it is like to get endless phone calls and a huge crowd of desperate people seeking help. Limited resources limit our ability to help. It is as simple as that.
These hard times affect us all. It is not easy for us to ask for increased contributions when we know everyone is has had to tighten their belts.. But we want these children to have a turkey dinner, a Christmas morning, a place to live and a family life. We talked about troubled times last year, but we could not then have realized how much worse it would get.
HomeFront isn't just about feeding and sheltering families. We are about finding permanent solutions for them—affordable housing, education, employment, parenting skills and more. We are no longer just about relieving the pain of homelessness—we are about preventing it.
Please help your less fortunate neighbors. Give to our Annual Appeal as generously as you can—and join our large and growing group of community supporters who are at the heart of all of our programs.
What you receive may not be tangible, but, if you look into the eyes of the little girl or any other homeless child, you may see it.
Thanks for giving our children a chance. Your donation ensures that families have safe, stable housing, a job, life skills training, childcare and enrichment and support services. You are the difference in their lives.
Here's what happens with your money:
| $5,000 | Prevents 8 families from becoming homeless |
| $2,000 | Provides 4 months of emergency shelter and therapeutic services for a family |
| $1,000 | Buys groceries to feed 50 families for one week |
| $500 | Covers 10 weeks of camp for a homeless or needy child |
| $300 | Pays for a full year of after school care and tutoring for a child |
| $200 | Covers 4 weeks of computer classes for a struggling mom |
| $25 | Pays for a birthday party for 10 homeless children |
DONATE NOW >>
Click here to download a copy of our Annual Appeal Brochure. <<Shrink>>
HomeFront Gave Me a Chance
When I was 8, I was living in a room at my grandma’s apartment with my mom and two sisters. We didn’t have enough money for our own place because my mom never graduated from high school. When grandma got laid off from her job and had to move to a smaller place, we couldn’t go with her because there was just no room.
I remember watching my grandma and my mom both crying that day because they didn’t know what to do. Finally someone sent us to live in a welfare motel on Route 1. The motel room was so small and dark and smelled awful. We weren’t allowed to drink the water or take a bath because the water was brown and smelled. We couldn’t play outside because there were so many men living at the motel who were scary.
One day, a case manager from HomeFront knocked on the door. That’s when our lives changed!
When we went to HomeFront they made us feel special. Soon, with their help, we had our first apartment in a safe neighborhood. While my baby sister was at Cherry Tree Club Pre-k and my sister and I were in school, my mom began attending life skills classes and entered the WorkFirst Program. My sisters and I went to an after-school program called Joy, Hopes and Dreams. I got help with my homework and for the first time in my life discovered that I really liked math!
We had clothes from the FreeStore and food from the food pantry. We received birthday cakes and presents on our birthdays and, on Christmas morning we woke up to presents from Santa!
By the time I was a junior in high school, my mom had a job as a data entry clerk at a local supply company. She would come home happy and we had great times together as a family.
We are proud of what we’ve accomplished thanks to HomeFront. My mom is still working and I am a junior in college majoring in social services, hoping to be able to help other families like HomeFront helped mine. HomeFront gave us a chance, our only chance, at a better life. THANK YOU!
Anna Sanchez
College Student <<Shrink>>
GET INVOLVED
People like you make things happen
Learn about how you or your group can get involved as a HomeFront volunteer.
We offer opportunities for students, adults and senior citizens. Whether you
are an individual, a group, club, business or corporate volunteers group,
there is an opportunity for you at HomeFront.
GET INVOLVED >>
NEWS
The Star Ledger
"...[V]ibrant art studio" at HomeFront helps in "rebuilding souls". (See story)
HomeFront Rehabs Houses in Hopewell Township The Times, July 8, 2010
HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP - Two years ago, the two buildings at 449 Scotch Road sat dilapidated and abandoned. Now, with the help of HomeFront, Hopewell Township and Mercer County, they are set to house three low-income families. Read more
In Support of Nutrition Programs The Times Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Turner joins nonprofit leaders to abolish funding cuts Read more
HomeFront Basketball Team Wins Over J. O. Nelson Team
The spring season may be winding down, but spirits were on the upswing as the home team netted another win with an outstanding performance by point guard Andrew Powell. Click here for details
A Favorite Clown Visits HomeFront
Ronald McDonald House Charities awarded us a grant for a new bus for the Cherry Tree Club. The big clown himself came last Monday for a photo op with the bus. Ronald then stayed and put on a show for the kids from Cherry Tree Club and other children who were at the Family Preservation Center. Read more
FPC Celebrates its 7th Birthday!
On Wednesday, Mar. 3, our HomeFront community celebrated the seventh anniversary of the Family Preservation Center in West Trenton. For seven years, the FPC has given food, shelter and support to help over 1000 families break the cycle of poverty. At the same time, they honored the service of Thora Faigle, the director of the FPC and marked her retirement. Click to WBZN story. Read more
Check Out our ArtSpace Web Page
See the art, visit the exhibits and help support our program. (Click here for more information) Read more
We Need Volunteers!
Job Opportunities
Click here to review our open positions. It might be a job of a lifetime! Read more
HomeFront's 2009 Annual Report Available
HomeFront's Annual Report honors our community of supporters and highlights the scope of our mission. Click above to read the annual report and on the attached pdf for a list of additional donors. Read more
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
609 989-9417