Neighborhood’s first full-choice pantry marketplace offers a varied and dignified approach to food and social services needs

In response to Trenton’s West Ward designation as a food dessert, Mercer Street Friends, HomeFront, with support from Trenton Health Team and with funding from NJEDA FEED NJ and Mercer County, celebrated the opening of The 222: Community Market and Resource Hub with a ribbon cutting event on September 24.

Lacking an adequate number of full-service grocery stores, Trenton residents are often left to rely on convenience stores and corner markets that rarely stock fresh, affordable produce, limiting the options for neighbors seeking nutritious, well balanced food choices. The situation is compounded by presenting residents with transportation challenges that require finding a ride, expending money and traveling at least two miles outside the city to reach a traditional supermarket.

The 222: Community Market and Resource Hub, located in Mercer Street Friends’ newly renovated space at 222 North Hermitage Avenue, addresses longstanding gaps in access to food and critical social service resources for residents of Trenton’s West Ward. As the West Ward’s first choice-based, free community marketplace, the space is designed to offer a familiar and dignified grocery-shopping experience. Fresh fruits and vegetables are plentiful as are canned and other shelf-stable goods, frozen chicken and meats, dairy and eggs, offering a wide variety of nutritious options – all at no cost.

The resource hub takes a holistic approach to responding to the challenges that can negatively impact individual and family health and well-being. In addition to food, residents may access essential family goods such as diapers and hygiene products while establishing connections to services focused on housing stability and family and parenting support.

“We are so proud to stand with our partners in government and the nonprofit sector as we open The 222,” said Randall West, CEO, Mercer Street Friends. “By placing fresh food, essential resources and support in one location within reach, we are helping create a stronger, healthier West Ward. No one should have to choose between putting food on the table and meeting other basic needs.”

“Access to fresh, affordable food is an economic and social imperative and through Governor Sherrill’s $30 million FEED NJ program, the NJEDA is investing in innovative, community-driven initiatives to strengthen food security throughout New Jersey. For decades, Mercer Street Friends, HomeFront and Trenton Health Team have been helping expand access to food, support families and create opportunities for Trenton residents. We are thrilled to have been a part of this project and look forward to seeing the impact that The 222 will have on the West Ward and beyond for years to come,” said Tara Colton, Chief Economic Security Officer, New Jersey Economic Development Authority.

“Access to nutritious food is fundamental to a healthy community, and this full-choice pantry is an important step toward ensuring our residents have the resources they need to thrive,” said Mercer County Executive Dan Benson. “I want to thank Governor Sherrill and NJEDA leadership for their investment in this project through the FEED NJ program as well as HomeFront, Mercer Street Friends and the Trenton Health Team for their continued commitment to serving our community. Mercer County was proud to invest in this project, and we are pleased to see that investment become a welcoming, accessible resource for individuals and families right here in Trenton.”

“The 222 reflects something we have learned again and again at HomeFront: Families rarely face just one challenge at a time. A family coming through the door for groceries may also be navigating housing instability, employment challenges or other pressures,” said Sarah Steward, CEO, HomeFront. “By bringing trusted organizations and resources together in one welcoming place, we can meet people where they are, with dignity, and help connect them to the support they need to move forward.”

“Based on data from our food security tools, Trenton’s West Ward was identified as an area where the community has limited access to food resources,” said Matthew Broad, Director of Programs, Trenton Health Team. “The 222 is strategically positioned to serve the entire West Ward and improve food security through robust collaboration.”

Learn more about The 222: Community Market and Resource Hub.

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School’s out for summer, but for some that presents challenges.

Parents and educators know the very real and often serious impacts resulting from the summer break. Between the end of one school year and the start of the next, the learning loss — or “Summer Slide” as it has come to be known — leads to a slip in school year gains. Studies have found that students in grades 1-8 could, on average, lose between 17-34% of their school year gains over the summer break. Children from low-income and minority-dense areas are more likely to see achievement gaps, as many low-income families lack access to books and summer programming.

And it’s not just an educational loss. In many schools across the state and here in Mercer County, students rely on school-provided meals. When summer rolls around and those school breakfasts, snacks and lunches go away, students can go hungry. Families now have to spend more — if they can — at the grocery store to make up the difference. Some students might be left wondering where their next meal is coming from.

This is where we step in to help.

Mercer Street Friends offers a Summer Bridge program to combat summer slide — a five-week summer enrichment program that “bridges” the gap between school years with grade-specific lessons in math, reading and SEL (social emotional learning).

Each summer, students at Mercer Street Friends Community Schools — elementary and middle schools in Trenton and Hamilton — take part in Summer Bridge at no cost to families or districts. While academic lessons keep our students’ minds sharp, they are complemented by enrichment activities that ignite the students’ passions, such as art, music, fashion, gardening, video production comic-book design and sports.

Every Friday our students are exposed to fun and exciting field trips around the region – excursions include the Crayola factory, Diggerland, iFly indoor skydiving and ball games at the Trenton Thunder. I’m most excited to see our students visit America’s Grow a Row, the state’s largest nonprofit farm — here students harvest food, learn how to prepare fruit and veggies, and even bring a bag of produce home.

These enrichment activities inspire our students to dream and empower them to cultivate hobbies that interest them and enrich their academic journeys. And every student is supplied with breakfast, lunch and a snack, as well as a food bag on Fridays for the weekend.

This year, we will serve more than 300 students from preschool to middle school. The results we have seen over the last 10 years we have offered Summer Bridge are astounding. Over the course of these five weeks of instruction, a percentage of our elementary students grew one full reading level by the time the new school year starts. Middle school students saw a 22-point gain in their reading scores. Those students also increased their math scores, on pre- and post-tests, by about 20 points.

The data is impressive enough, but programs like Summer Bridge have intangible benefits we will never be able to count. Over the summer, students are engaged in the classroom experiencing new places and opportunities with dedicated educators committed to showing them a world beyond Mercer County. The families and guardians of our students don’t have to scramble to find childcare or a summer camp; they can continue working to provide the life they seek for their families.

Programs like Summer Bridge are made possible both by supporters and by support from the state. I cannot overstate the importance of programs like Summer Bridge in the lives of our students — I hope to see programs like it expand in the future.

Read more in BINJE.

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Food, family stability, education, health, and economic opportunity do not exist in silos. When one area is impacted, the effects ripple across every aspect of a person’s life.

Since 2020, Bernie Flynn has led Mercer Street Friends with this philosophy at the forefront. As CEO, he has championed an approach that recognizes that addressing hunger is about far more than putting food on a table. It is about creating the conditions for children to succeed in school, for families to remain stable, and for communities to thrive. Through Mercer Street Friends’ focus on food, family, and education, Bernie threaded the needle for the organization to grow and thrive amid challenges and in times of celebration.

This month, Bernie’s commitment to putting this vision into action was recognized by the New Jersey General Assembly, through a resolution highlighting his exceptional leadership and devoted service to Mercer County and beyond.

Presenting the resolution, Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D-15) praised Bernie’s unwavering commitment to the community, noting that he “gave his time, his talent, and his whole heart to be the best that every child and every family deserves.” Her remarks showcased a defining belief that has guided Bernie’s leadership – that every family deserves not only a full plate, but a fair chance to succeed.

That belief was perhaps most visible during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Bernie, in partnership with James “Butter” Allen, helped spearhead Mercer Street Friends’ Community Food Bag Program, which today reaches more than 60,000 families in Mercer County – including families served by the Community Schools Initiative, our Preschool program, and our Family and Parenting Services program.

When schools closed and students lost access to reliable school and weekend meals, typically delivered through our Send Hunger Packing Program (SHUP), Bernie recognized that the impact would extend far beyond hunger alone. Without consistent access to nutritious food, children would struggle to learn, families would face greater financial strain, and communities already navigating unprecedented challenges would be pushed even further toward uncertainty.

Rather than viewing hunger as a standalone issue, Bernie understood it as part of a larger system of instability that needed to be addressed. Under his leadership, Mercer Street Friends stepped forward when families needed support most, demonstrating how comprehensive, community-centered solutions can address multiple challenges at once.

This approach has defined Bernie’s tenure at Mercer Street Friends. Whether expanding food access, strengthening educational opportunities, or supporting families through times of crisis, he has consistently recognized that meaningful change happens when organizations look beyond individual needs and address the broader factors that shape people’s lives.

As Mercer Street Friends continues its mission of nurturing minds and bodies, empowering families and communities, Bernie’s legacy serves as a reminder that lasting impact comes from seeing the whole person, the whole family, and the whole community. Because when we understand that no challenge exists in isolation, we can build solutions that create opportunity and hope for all.

The resolution presented by the New Jersey General Assembly stands as a testament to that legacy. More than a recognition of years of service, it honors Bernie’s commitment to strengthening communities, advancing equity, and ensuring that children and families throughout Mercer County continue to have the resources they needed to thrive.

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Mercer Street Friends, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through food, family and education services and the Feeding America food bank of Mercer County, hosted its Sixth Annual Leadership Awards Celebration on June 9.

Presented by Grand Sponsor Bloomberg and Bloomberg Philanthropies and held at Mercer Street Friends’ food bank warehouse in Ewing, the event celebrated individuals and organizations whose extraordinary leadership and philanthropy have uplifted the Mercer County community and advanced the Mercer Street Friends mission. Honorees included Bloomberg and Bloomberg Philanthropies, Corporate Leadership & Public Service Award; Senator Shirley K. Turner, 2026 Humanitarian Award; and Board Chair Ken Blackwell, Robert M. Appelbaum Service Award.

“The energy in our food bank this evening left me with a renewed sense of hope and commitment to the people of Mercer County,” said Randall West, incoming CEO of Mercer Street Friends. “Congratulations to our honorees, whose leadership and commitment are helping build a stronger Mercer County, and thank you to our sponsors, volunteers and dedicated staff. Your support makes this celebration possible and powers the essential services that individuals and families rely on every day.”

Bloomberg and Bloomberg Philanthropies, longstanding partners and dedicated supporters of Mercer Street Friends, exemplify corporate leadership through its sustained commitment to service and community impact. Since 1998, Bloomberg employees have contributed more than 10,000 volunteer hours to Mercer Street Friends, supporting programs that provide food, resources and opportunities for families across the region.

“Bloomberg and Bloomberg Philanthropies are honored to be recognized by Mercer Street Friends, an organization we have been proud to support for nearly three decades,” said Misti Pasigos, New Jersey Corporate Philanthropy lead at Bloomberg. “Together, we have built a partnership rooted in service, collaboration and a shared focus on helping New Jersey families access the resources they need. Through the dedication of Bloomberg volunteers, we are proud to help advance Mercer Street Friends’ mission in direct and meaningful ways.”

Senator Shirley K. Turner, a longtime champion of public service and a steadfast advocate for education and community investment, has consistently supported programs that strengthen outcomes for children and families – including the Mercer Street Friends Community Schools Initiative.

“I have always believed that public service means meeting people where they are and ensuring access to the resources that allow them to succeed,” said Senator Shirley K. Turner. “Mercer Street Friends brings that belief to life through its work across food, family and education, and I am honored to be recognized by an organization so deeply committed to the well-being of our communities.”

Ken Blackwell has served on the Mercer Street Friends Board of Trustees since 2017 and as Board Chair since 2020. As CEO of InKlaritas and a certified coach, trainer and keynote speaker, he brings decades of leadership and nonprofit experience to the organization, helping guide its growth and expand its reach across Mercer County.

“Mercer Street Friends plays a vital role in strengthening communities by addressing the interconnected challenges families face,” said Ken Blackwell. “Our work across food, family and education reflects an understanding that lasting change requires a comprehensive approach. It is an honor to be part of an organization making such a meaningful difference throughout Mercer County.”

Additional event sponsors included Anne Irwin and Bob Holt, NJM Insurance Group, Capital Health, Ann and Bernie Flynn and the “On Deckers”.

Mercer Street Friends presented the first annual Mr. Mac Book Award to Jessica Nazario at the Sixth Annual Leadership Awards Celebration.

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By the Mercer County Food Security Leaders Group

Across Mercer County, food insecurity is rising at a pace we can no longer afford to overlook. Local food pantries, community meal sites, and home-delivery programs are seeing 20–25% more visits than this time last year, along with a growing number of first-time users. Seniors on fixed incomes, families with young children, and historically underserved communities are being pushed to the brink.

These are not distant statistics—they are our neighbors in Trenton, Hamilton, Ewing, Princeton, and communities across the county.

To be clear, Mercer County has made meaningful progress. In the wake of the pandemic, nonprofits, county agencies, faith communities, and private partners came together in unprecedented ways. Thanks to strong state and county leadership, we have expanded access, improved coordination, and reached more residents than ever before.

But today, even that collective effort is being outpaced.

Inflation, rising housing and transportation costs, and reductions in nutrition benefits are forcing more households into the emergency food system. The network of food pantries and meal programs—never designed for this level of sustained demand—is now under extraordinary strain.

And much of this struggle remains hidden. Food insecurity is not always visible. It may be the senior living quietly down the block, the parent juggling bills behind closed doors, or the family whose children sit next to ours in school.

Behind the data are impossible choices: skipping meals so children can eat, stretching groceries beyond what is safe, or choosing between food and necessary medication. Without reliable access to food, everything else—health, education, employment—begins to unravel. Food security is the foundation on which every other form of progress depends.

The situation is about to grow even more urgent.

In the coming months, SNAP recertifications, administrative hurdles, and benefit reductions are expected to push even more families off critical support or reduce what they receive. That will place additional pressure on a system already stretched too thin.

This is not a temporary spike. It is a sustained and deepening challenge.

In response, the Mercer County Food Security Leaders Group—a coalition including Arm In Arm, HomeFront, Jewish Family and Children’s Services, Mercer Street Friends, the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, the Rescue Mission, and supported by Trenton Health Team—has worked to strengthen the county’s food system.

Together, we have expanded food access in high-need areas like East and West Trenton, advanced a Choice Pantry and Resource Hub model, improved coordination of public and private resources, and convened partners through the county’s first Food Security Conference.

These efforts matter. They show what is possible. But they are not enough to meet what lies ahead.

Addressing this crisis will require a deeper, broader response from across Mercer County—business leaders, philanthropic partners, faith institutions, civic organizations, and residents alike. State and county leadership have laid a critical foundation through historic food security investments. Private partnership must now help scale it.

As we move through 2026 and into 2027, increased demand is not a possibility—it is an expectation. Meeting it will require sustained funding, expanded volunteer engagement, stronger data collaboration, and continued advocacy.

No single organization can meet this moment alone. But as a community, we can.

We are committed to continuing this work—ensuring access to nutritious food in every corner of the county, strengthening coordination across providers, and building a more resilient system for the future. But success will depend on collective action.

Mercer County has shown, time and again, what we can accomplish when we come together.

Now is one of those moments.

Support your local food providers. Volunteer your time. Advocate for continued investment. Partner with organizations doing this work every day.

The need is here. The pressure is growing. And the time to act is now.

Together, we can ensure that every Mercer County resident has the food they need—not just to get by, but to truly thrive.

Signed,

The Mercer County Food Security Leaders Group:
Michelle Schwalbe, Chair; Jewish Family and Children’s Services, Executive Director
Maureen Hunt, Vice-Chair; Arm In Arm, Executive Director
Sarah Steward, HomeFront, Chief Executive Officer
Bernie Flynn, Randall West, & Lisa Weber, Mercer Street Friends; current CEO, incoming CEO, and Chief of Food Security
Barrett Young, The Rescue Mission, Chief Executive Officer
Amy Flynn, Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, Chief Executive Officer
Matthew Broad, Trenton Health Team, Director of Programs

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Mercer Street Friends celebrated the literacy growth and academic achievements of students participating in its Reading Intervention Program during a special celebration hosted by the organization.

Through its nationally recognized Community Schools Initiative, Mercer Street Friends offers Reading Intervention to help students strengthen literacy skills and reach grade-level reading proficiency. The program is offered at three of the organization’s six Community Schools: Luis Muñoz-Rivera Elementary, B.C. Gregory Elementary, and Cadwalader Elementary, all in Trenton.

Students in the program showcased their progress by reading aloud to parents, teachers, peers, representatives from the New Jersey Department of Education, and Mercer County elected officials. They also shared personal reflections on their learning journeys and received recognition for their accomplishments.

Community Schools bring together schools, families, and community partners to provide integrated supports and expanded learning opportunities that help students succeed academically, socially, emotionally, and physically.

Through the initiative, students participating in the Reading Intervention Program receive consistent, small-group instruction from retired certified teachers during the school day. Using a High-Impact Tutoring approach, educators provide personalized literacy support and progress monitoring to help students strengthen skills, build confidence, and achieve grade-level reading proficiency.

“The achievements we celebrated today demonstrate the power of investing in the whole child,” said Randall West, Chief Administrative Officer of Mercer Street Friends. “When schools, families, educators, and community partners work together, students receive the support they need to overcome challenges and reach important milestones. Seeing these students grow as readers and learners validates what can be accomplished through the Community Schools model.”

Since its inception in 2021, the Reading Intervention Program has demonstrated significant growth in both participation and student outcomes. In the 2024-25 school year, 125 students in two schools participated in the program, with the percentage of students reading on grade level increasing by 190%. Building on that success, the program expanded to three schools in 2025–26, serving 162 students helping to increase grade-level reading proficiency. Final assessments will be conducted in June to evaluate student progress and further measure the program’s impact on grade-level reading proficiency.

“The growth we see from students in the Reading Intervention Program annually is remarkable,” said Bernadette Trapp, Director of Community Schools. “Literacy is the foundation upon which all future learning is built. By helping students achieve grade-level reading proficiency, we are empowering them to engage more fully in the classroom, build confidence and create stronger pathways to long-term academic success.”

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Mercer Street Friends continues to lead the way in Central New Jersey, expanding vital programs and strengthening our ability to serve the community – even in the face of growing need.

2025 brought both challenge and response. When a government shutdown disrupted SNAP benefits last fall, families suddenly faced empty cupboards. In that moment, Mercer Street Friends and our 150+ pantry partners mobilized quickly to ensure emergency food reached those who needed it most.

That spirit of action, collaboration, and care runs throughout this year’s Impact Report.

Inside, you’ll meet “Mr. Mac,” a 90-year-old longtime employee whose daily presence continues to inspire our team, learn how a transformative state grant is doubling our Community School footprint in Mercer County, and see how partners like America’s Grow-A-Row and MARC helped bring fresh, locally grown produce to New Jersey families.

Across every story, one theme is clear: our work is strongest when it is connected. Food, family, and education programs do not operate in silos – they work together to support the whole person and the whole community.

We invite you to explore the full Impact Report to see how, together, we are nourishing minds and bodies; empowering families and communities across Mercer County.

Download and read your copy here.

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We know that food, family, and education are not separate needs, but connected parts of a strong and healthy community.

Supporting families in a meaningful way means looking at the full picture – ensuring basic needs are met, strengthening support systems, and creating pathways for learning and growth. That is the work we are committed to every day.

One way we honor this commitment is through family services, where support begins at home and grows alongside each family’s journey. Designed to meet parents and caregivers where they are, these programs provide personalized guidance during the earliest and most critical years of a child’s life.

Families receive consistent support, resources, and encouragement as they navigate parenting and early childhood development. We ensure that families are not facing challenges alone, but supported by someone who understands their goals and works alongside them to achieve them.

Mercer Street Friends currently offers two evidence-based home visiting programs:

• Trenton Healthy Families TIP™ provides free, weekly home visits from a certified Family Support Worker. These visits include child development education, wellness screenings, stress management tools, and individualized guidance tailored to each family’s needs – helping to build a strong foundation from the start.
• The Parents As Teachers (PAT) Program offers trauma-informed services to ensure children are safe, healthy, and ready to learn. With an emphasis on parent-child interaction, development-centered parenting, and overall family well-being, PAT helps caregivers create environments where children can thrive.

At the center of both programs is the relationship between the home visitor and the family. Over time, home visitors become trusted partners – offering guidance, listening without judgment, and providing a steady presence through both everyday moments and more complex challenges.

They also play a critical role in connecting families to community resources and partner organizations. While many supports exist, families are often unaware of them or face barriers to access. Home visitors help bridge that gap, ensuring families can access the services they need and supporting them throughout the process.

Families in our programs may receive tangible support such as food bags, diapers, gift cards, and essential childcare items like car seats, pack-n-plays, and highchairs when available.

Our home visiting services are designed to meet families where they are – offering a safe space to share experiences while addressing immediate needs, strengthening family connections, and supporting early learning and development.

This work reflects our commitment to supporting the whole family – helping them navigate present challenges while building tools for a stronger future. Our efforts are strengthened through partnerships with local organizations, service providers, and community groups to empower our families with a coordinated network of care. Together, this collaborative approach helps ensure families have access to the resources they need to grow, succeed, and thrive.

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Mercer Street Friends, a nonprofit organization serving families and individuals across Mercer County through food, family, and education services, proudly announced Randall West as new Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2026. West succeeds Bernie Flynn, who served as Chief Executive Officer beginning in February 2020. Flynn will remain involved and support the transition as a member of Mercer Street Friends’ Board of Trustees.

West joined Mercer Street Friends in April 2025 as Chief Administrative Officer and immersed himself in the organization’s operations, programs, and mission, working alongside Flynn to continue to foster a collaborative, goal-driven culture rooted in strategic focus and shared purpose.

Randall West, Incoming Mercer Street Friends CEO

West will put his many years of entrepreneurial and business experience as well as volunteer board service to work for the organization at a time when the need for access to food, vital educational support, and family services continues to grow. He is committed to leading with integrity to further Mercer Street Friends’ mission to nourish minds and bodies; empower families and communities.

“I am thrilled to assume this position and will follow the highly successful path forward initiated by Bernie Flynn, that addresses food insecurity throughout the County while helping our youth and their families in our Preschool, six Community Schools, and through our Parenting programs,” said West. “Mercer Street Friends has been rooted in Trenton and Mercer County since 1958. It is an honor to work with our outstanding Board of Trustees, staff, and dedicated benefactors to continue our legacy of serving the urgent needs of the community.”

Outside of his role at Mercer Street Friends, West serves on the board of Second Baptist Church in Moorestown and served on the boards of The First Tee of Greater Trenton and the Ford Minority Dealer Association. He was a representative of the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJ CAR). His volunteer service reflects a longstanding commitment to strengthening communities through mentorship, service, and strategic leadership.

“We welcome Randall as CEO at this pivotal time in our organization’s history,” said Kenneth Blackwell, Board Chair for Mercer Street Friends. “Rooted in our Quaker values, and thanks to the exceptional leadership and stewardship of Bernie Flynn, we are embarking on a new chapter that promises our neighbors and partners that we stand together with them to lift up Trenton and Mercer County through food, family, and education.”

“Recognizing Randall’s passion for and commitment to community service and our mission, I am pleased he will assume the leadership role at Mercer Street Friends,” said Flynn. “I welcome the opportunity to join the Board of Trustees and lend my support during the transition as our organization begins the next chapter in its long history of serving the people of Mercer County.”

West earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Rutgers University and completed the Advanced Management Education Program at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He and his wife Jaye reside in Moorestown, N.J.

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HFA is the signature program of PCA America and has been providing home visiting services for nearly 30 years. Expectant and new parents are facing new stressors and have questions about their child’s development. HFA connects with families through community partners like hospitals and pediatricians to support parents, meeting within the familiarity and convenience of the family’s own home. HFA is an accessible, voluntary and well received service.

“HFA sites utilize evidence-based best practices to provide individualized support to families when needed most, and linkages to community services,” said Melissa Merrick, President and CEO of PCA America. “We congratulate Trenton Healthy Families, and we commend the staff for their leadership and commitment that has contributed to this most notable and highly regarded achievement.”

The accreditation process is based upon a stringent set of 12 critical elements grounded in more than 30 years of research. The process involves an in-depth examination of the site’s operation, as well as the quality of the visits made by HFA home visitors.

“We commend Trenton Healthy Families for opening itself up to such an intensive review process,” said Kathleen Strader, National Director of HFA. “We believe that all families and all communities deserve access to quality home visiting services.”

The HFA site in Trenton is located at 222 North Hermitage Ave, Trenton, NJ.

“Healthy Families is such an important and valuable program that provides much-needed support to families in our community,” says Matthew Mayer, Senior Manager of Family Support Services at Mercer Street Friends, the nonprofit under which Trenton Healthy Families operates. “Our dedicated staff are able to meet families where they are and focus on their immediate needs, helping set them up for success in all areas moving forward. This accreditation is the result of hard work by everyone involved in the program, especially the incredible work our home visitors do with the families they serve.”

Trenton Healthy Families–TIP works with 50 to 80 families, in Trenton and throughout Mercer County. Family Support Workers assist enrolled families across a range of areas – including parent-child interaction, child development, family well-being, safe sleep practices, timely medical care for both children and parents, immunizations, mental health, and intimate partner violence. Family Support Workers also partner with families to set individualized goals they work toward throughout their time in the program, helping to drive better outcomes for the entire family. When families are supported and able to thrive, the entire community is stronger.

One of the primary goals of HFA home visiting is to promote nurturing, responsive parent-child relationships.  Home visitors in each community receive extensive training on a wide range of topics important to just about every new parent, such as: caring for a new baby, ensuring the baby is receiving the nutrition needed, promoting healthy child development, and coping with a myriad of other potential stresses, such as financial, housing, partner relationship, etc., that may become heightened with an addition to the family.

PCA America was established in 1972 with the belief that child abuse and neglect is preventable. The not-for-profit, volunteer-based organization is committed to preventing child abuse in all forms through education, research, public awareness, and public policy development. Today, PCA America supports a network of state chapters across the United States.

PCA America implemented the Healthy Families America (HFA) initiative in 1992. HFA serves families of all ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, meeting the needs of close to 600 communities in 38 states, D.C., the U.S. Territories and Israel.

Healthy Families America is an effective and proven evidence-based home visiting program according the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. PCA America is proud to support HFA and to be part of a national movement dedicated to improving the lives of families and children.

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