Rescue Mission of Trenton

From our Summer 2024 Newsletter "That Last Time Was The Time I Needed" “I came back and forth here so many times,” Clayton Dixon recalled, shaking his head. “I was just deceiving myself. But you never turned her back on me. And that last time, that was the time I needed. That time, my spirit was gone. The hope was gone. And this place gave me back my spirit and my hope.” “That time,” Mary Gay remembered, “I could see you believed ‘Today is my day.’ There was a spark inside of you that wanted to find its way out.” Then she reflected, “I often wonder: What happens to someone that allows them to come to that point?” Clayton said, “For me, it was that you never turned your back on me. That you, somehow believed. Because I had turned my back on myself. It took me 15 years of coming here, leaving and coming back to finally be ready.” Mary Gay said, “There are some people, like you, who come here and you just feel a connection, you feel a bond, and you see something inside of them. But until they realize it, and start changing, you’re never quite sure. They might relapse. Still, you let them know that you still believe in them, that you care. It starts with that relationship. Then, as you see them start to recover, it is the joy of seeing them find themselves again. That’s why we are here. To be the constant.” Smiling, Clayton responded, “I always say that God has a sense of humor. How else can I explain that I came here seeking help, and now I’m on the Board helping make decisions about the future of The Mission? I’m still spellbound. I realize that some people might identify with me, and that might help them believe that they, too, can recover. And if that’s what I’m here for, then I am blessed. And I am grateful.” From our Summer 2024 Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/eGWWSg7U

The World of a Child Growing Up Around People Who Were Homeless Jimmy Brimmer, the namesake and son of Mary Gay’s predecessor at the helm of The Mission, shared that he was born 75 years ago “on The Mission’s farm in Crosswicks, where there was a caretaker named Roy. There grew corn and other vegetables. There were cows, pigs and chickens. “After that,” Jimmy said, “I grew up at The Mission, which was just the building at 98 Carroll Street and the truck yard. My father, who was the Executive Director, had an apartment on the second floor. We lived there until I was in second grade. That was my life.” As a child, growing up around people who were homeless, he added, “I was an adult before I was a teenager. My first friends in life were the men at The Mission. But I never thought of them as homeless. Across from my apartment was Gene, who was the General Manager of The Mission’s stores,” where second-hand clothes and furniture were donated, then sold to help pay for operating The Mission. “Gene had been a buyer for Macy’s, and would tell me fascinating stories. He and the others all treated me as a friend. For some of them, this was their home. Others came and went. Many were professional people. Others were talented craftspeople. They worked hard, and knew how to have a fun time. “So I grew up without any prejudice. It didn’t matter to me where someone came from. Or what they were doing. None of those differences mattered to me. And it certainly never affected any of my relationships with any of the people staying there.” Jimmy described his father, known as Jim, as “larger than life. He was fair, honest, had enormous integrity, and cared deeply about what he was doing. His life was a calling, and he lived it.” He added, “I’m sure my dad would have solace knowing that Mary Gay stayed for as long as she did, and took The Mission to the next level.” For the full newsletter: https://lnkd.in/eGWWSg7U

We Understand, But Don’t Focus on Your Yesterdays From our Summer 2024 Newsletter When Cleo Patterson walked inside the cell where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 27 years on Robben Island, she said, “Tears covered my face, as I fell to the floor, and the direction of my life changed.” Walking through the dire poverty of Cape Town afterwards, as if in a daze, she added, “I knew I had to do something more meaningful in my life.” That led her to The Mission, where Mary Gay said, “I kept hearing from people how she helped them. And I would go out of my way just to stop by Cleo’s office to say, ‘Hello.’ And I always learned something. And we always laughed about something.” Then, Mary Gay said to Cleo, “You are known for your kindness.” Cleo, a counselor in The Mission’s Behavioral Health Center, responded, “People need to hear that someone cares for them. I have a tendency to meet someone where they are at. I help them feel safe. And I let them know they will be OK. And that I believe they have potential that they don’t even know they have.” She added, “Here, we welcome you. We care about the here and now – and where you are going. We understand, but don’t focus on your yesterdays. Learning how to be in the present is more important. That will lead to your tomorrows. What happened yesterday is just a chapter. It goes in your book. But your story doesn’t end there. This can be your beginning.” Then, Cleo said, “I tell everyone, ‘You are the reason I came to work today.’” Looking at Mary Gay, she added, “I always sought you out because I wanted to gain from your wisdom. We’ve had moments together where I’ve learned things that I know will help me later in life.” Pausing, she added, “I will miss you so.” https://lnkd.in/eGWWSg7U

From our Summer 2024 Newsletter - I Miss That Yellow Raincoat Denise Chapman, a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, who recently was promoted to Manager, started in The Shelter nearly two decades ago. “I never was involved in any hard core drugs myself,” she said, “but a lot of people in my family have been there. So, I can see it in someone. I can see it in their eyes. In how they carry themselves. I’ve seen the devastation it can have on a family. That is why what I am doing means so much to me.” “From the first time I met Denise, I saw she was authentic,” Mary Gay shared. “She knew many of the people coming to The Shelter from the streets. She is the same cheerful, but no-nonsense, person you see everywhere. To everyone she meets, she is the same – certain, sure, confident, with a knowing smile. And anyone who can keep that smile while they are working here is someone I definitely wanted to have around.” “Often, when someone comes in,” Denise said, “I can tell they need a shower. So I let them take a shower right away, so they can feel better about themselves. Then I take them to get some new clothes, socks and shoes. Then, as I get them something to eat, I’ll let them know that I don’t accept cursing here. ‘So, if you need to get something out of your system,’ I’ll say, ‘step outside and curse all you want. Then come back in here, and be positive. Because we need positive energy here.’ I’ll say, ‘We are here to help someone feel better about themselves, respecting each other, so we can all get better.’” She added, “Mary Gay set the stage for who we are and how we treat each other. I’ve seen her give her own clothes, including a yellow raincoat, to someone who came here when it was raining.” Laughing, Mary Gay, said, “I miss that yellow raincoat.” Head to our website for a digital copy of our Summer 2024 Newsletter. https://lnkd.in/eGWWSg7U

In this special edition of our summer 2024 Newsletter, we honor, reflect upon and give thanks to MaryGay Abbott-Young, who has decided to retire after nearly a half-century of being a beacon of hope for those in need. This is the cover story. Reflecting on Nearly a Half-Century of Making a Real Difference With conviction and passion, after nearly a half-century of helping those in our community who are marginalized and unseen, speaking up for those whose voices are often not heard, feeding those who are hungry, housing those who are homeless, and providing opportunities for those who are seeking recovery – Mary Gay Abbott-Young has decided that it is time for her to retire from the Rescue Mission of Trenton. By surrounding herself with like-minded colleagues, she has strategically led The Mission through some of its most challenging times, more than once when the doors were close to closing. She is leaving in her legacy an organization that is thriving, continually evolving, and poised to create an even larger impact. For most of her life, on her way home from a 12-hour day at work, it was not unusual for her to roll down her window at a stop light and call out someone’s first name who was panhandling, asking him or her to come by for a meal and a place to sleep at The Shelter. Her motto became “Look into the eyes of someone who is struggling. See their pain. And I also ask that you see their potential.” When she came to The Mission in the late 70’s, she had just earned a Master’s Degree from Temple University, served as a social worker in VISTA, then been a counselor in a detoxification center. She was hired at The Mission to work in what is now known as the Behavioral Health Center, an addictions treatment facility, which was created as a bookend to The Shelter. She rose to become CEO of The Mission, a position she held from 1985 until 2021, when she became President. Smiling, she remembered, “When I first came here, one guy asked me how old I was. I told him. And he spat on the floor and said, ‘I’ve done more time (in prison) than that.’ ... click to read the full story. https://lnkd.in/eGWWSg7U

We recently had an inspiring chat with Tony D’Orazio, co-founder of Carversville Farm Foundation, one of our generous partners. Tony shared his remarkable journey from the tech industry to establishing a regenerative farm dedicated to tackling food insecurity in the Greater Philadelphia area. Carversville is a non-profit farm growing certified organic vegetables and pasture-raised meat and eggs—all for donation. We are fortunate to be one of its beneficiaries –since partnering with us in April, they have generously donated over six thousand pounds of food and 25 thousand eggs – more specifically, they donated, 2,190 dozen eggs, 206 pounds of Heritage Turkey, 1,416 pounds of chicken, 313 pounds of Stewing Hens, 317 pounds of Beef and 2, 509 pounds of vegetables. Tony and his wife Amy pour their hearts into this incredible mission, and we're so lucky to benefit from their generosity. Click to read the full story on how they got started and their journey of making a difference! https://lnkd.in/e_g32vbn

Earlier this week, our Behavioral Health residents spent time at The Father Center, where they prepared for upcoming interviews by selecting professional wardrobes and attending a resource fair. This event was a wonderful opportunity for our residents to access valuable resources, clothes and shoes to help them succeed in their job searches.

The Mission In The News Gabrielle, who struggles with mental health and addiction problems, has been living on the streets of Trenton for the past five years. “People look right through you like you’re not real, you’re not worthy of just human decency,” she said. She said she is in survival mode every day, thinking about where her next meal would come from or how she can keep herself safe. On top of all that, she now has to deal with the extreme heat. New Jersey’s homeless population has risen 17% over the past few years, and there aren't enough resources to properly help unhoused people. Click to read the full story. Thank you WHYY PBS and NPR for featuring this story. https://lnkd.in/ehSnRhX8

Thank you to Brian Blakely, Clara's Heart and all the wonderful volunteers and corporations who came out last night for the 10th annual Dinner and Movie Night at The Mission! The night was filled with delicious food, great company, and lots of love and care. We enjoyed a wonderful movie under the stars, creating unforgettable memories. Your support and dedication mean the world to us. The Mission is truly blessed to have such an amazing community. We appreciate every one of you! The Mission is so loved!

Two Kindred Spirits, Working Together to Help Those in Need From our latest newsletter: Connie Mercer, founder of HomeFront, and Mary Gay, former leader of The Mission, forged a deep connection in the late 1980s to combat homelessness. Their tenacity and collaboration pushed against the status quo, providing essential services and raising awareness for the homeless. Now retired, their commitment endures as Connie directs the NJ Coalition to End Homelessness and Mary Gay serves on its board, continuing to advocate and build better systems for those in need. Read the full story in our latest newsletter: https://lnkd.in/eGWWSg7U