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>>