The Trenton Times published the following article on March 29, 2014. To read the full article, click here.
Opinion: Trenton Rescue Mission needs community support to continue providing for homeless
By Times of Trenton guest opinion column
on March 29, 2014 at 7:57 AM, updated March 29, 2014 at 8:30 AMBy Mary Gay Abbott-Young
As the largest agency in our community that serves those who have no place else to turn for shelter, food and clothing, the Rescue Mission of Trenton is thankful that winter appears to be coming to an end. Over these past three months of bitter cold and record snowfall, we have provided more than 18,000 bed nights in our emergency shelter – up 9 percent from the same period last year.
For the past 99 years, the Rescue Mission has provided a safe, clean and warm refuge for the truly needy. We endeavor to create an environment where one can live with dignity, build self-esteem, experience love, responsibility and hope. We remain dedicated to this mission, the fulfillment of which would not be possible without the support of our contributors and funders.
Over the past century, the primary population we serve has shifted from those most affected by the Great Depression, to a population of skid row alcoholics, and most recently to those left behind as poverty and economic disparity grows. Today, our clients include the newly homeless, the chronically homeless and those experiencing temporary economic crisis due to the Great Recession. Included among these three groups are sub-populations — the mentally ill, substance abusers, those with co-occurring disorders, the elderly and veterans.
As one can imagine, this winter’s harsh weather has tested our commitment to providing emergency shelter services. Over the past three months, we have seen an average of up to 10 percent more clients each night who arrive at our doors seeking services. In December 2013 alone, we provided 5,841 bed nights of service – up 15 percent from the prior year.