Our 35th Year

Why 35

In 1991, HomeFront began around the kitchen table of our founder, Connie Mercer—neighbors coming together with a shared belief that no family should face homelessness alone. Thirty-five years later, that same spirit continues to fuel our work.

We’ve grown with—and because of—our community. Families have trusted us to listen and learn; and caring community members have given their time, talents, and resources to ensure families have the help they need today and hope for a better tomorrow. 

Over the years, we’ve grown with intention—now offering 35 integrated programs and services and reaching thousands of individuals each year through housing, basic necessities, tools for self-sufficiency, personal wellness, and support for children.

As we embark on our 35th year together, we envision a community where New Jersey families not only stabilize, but reach a brighter, thriving future.

Why there's more work to do

After a period of seeing homelessness improve in our community, new or worsened challenges have arisen for families in the last few years: skyrocketing costs and stagnating wages; not enough affordable homes; ongoing barriers to childcare, transportation, and medical care. Too many families are living too close to the edge, with no wiggle room in their budget for anything to go wrong. Illness, an unexpected bill, or cut work hours can mean crisis. Every day, families are faced with impossible choices between food, rent, and other essentials. Homelessness has risen again in our community.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

With the support of a caring community, HomeFront is focusing even more deeply on preventing the pain of homelessness before it begins—while remaining committed to providing the wraparound support families need when crisis does occur.

We can prevent homelessness by intervening earlier: by providing food and basic necessities that give families breathing room in their budgets; by helping a parent with rent before their home is at risk; by supporting families through unexpected setbacks; and by working with partners like Homes by TLC to expand affordable housing in our community. You are an essential part of this solution.

Last year alone, 30,321 unique individuals came to HomeFront for shelter, food, and transformative assistance.