MERCER STREET FRIENDS CENTER
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Mission Statement
Mercer Street Friends, founded in 1958 by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) as a non-sectarian human services agency, is dedicated to “Bridging opportunity gaps…Helping families and communities make the journey out of poverty”. The agency works to reduce hunger and food insecurity, close education gaps, and improve the physical and emotional well-being of at-risk populations ranging in age from infants to the elderly. Mercer Street Friends: ■ Distributes food and groceries to food insecure children, adults and seniors ■ Provides early education to Trenton preschoolers ■ Teaches moms how to become better parents and break the cycle of child abuse and neglect ■ Improves basic math and reading skills and moves adults closer to obtaining a high school equivalency diploma and a job ■ Prepares and assists TANF recipients in gaining employment ■ Engages Trenton youth to stay in school through educational, recreational and work related opportunities as well as individual counseling
About This Cause
Founded in 1958 as a Quaker-affiliated, nonsectarian 501(c)(3) organization, Mercer Street Friends honors the equality of all people and strives for a just, prosperous, and peaceful society for all. We respond to the needs of the community to build alliances that will have the most meaningful impact in addressing issues of poverty. We provide a range of integrated services that build community, nurture self-worth and independence, and offer resources for children, families, and communities to overcome poverty and its lasting effects. The Mercer Street Friends Food Bank leads the community response to hunger. We are the primary source of government and privately donated food targeted for hunger relief programs in Mercer County. The Food Bank channels 2.5 million pounds of food and groceries annually to a network of local food pantries, shelters, soup kitchens and meal sites. Our food distribution and hunger prevention programs reach 25,000 children and adults who face the pain and indignity of hunger. The Mercer Street Friends Youth Services Programs work with youth between the ages of 12 to 21 to expand their ability to address life issues, achieve academic success and prepare for engagement in the workforce. Each day, 90 children between the ages of 3 to 5 attend full-day programs at the Mercer Street Friends Preschool, which provide a safe, stimulating environment where children learn and thrive. Mercer Street Friends Parenting and Adult Services builds competency through education, employment support, and parenting training. The Healthy Families-TIP Program, Children’s Futures/Parent Child West Program, and Family Support and Reunification Program provide home visiting and group activities that promote nurturing, nonviolent parenting skills to at-risk families. The agency’s work readiness programs assist adults receiving public assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to prepare for and gain employment; the Adult Basic Educations Program works with adults (age 16 or older) who wish to obtain a high school diploma or upgrade basic skills; and the Family Literacy Program promotes parental competency and strives to improve both parent and child language development and literacy skills.