Dear Anchor House Family,
This time of year, my office looks like Santa’s workshop at the North Pole, and I would not want it any other way. I cannot wait for our kids to open up their presents, purchased by people they do not even know, strangers who want to bring them joy this holiday season. They are angels to us (more on that in the article on Anchor House Angels).
The gifts in my office also makes me reflect on all the gifts Anchor House received this year – the gifts of time and talents of our dedicated staff and volunteers including our Board, the gift of generosity that our donors and funders show to us, and the gift that our youth found their way to Anchor House (or we found them, thanks to our outreach efforts) and that we proudly get the opportunity to provide them with the services they need to succeed and thrive.
2024 itself was a gift in so many ways. Here are a few:
The Opening of Our Brunswick Avenue Site
After many delays, largely due to the pandemic and unexpected renovations, Anchor House opened the doors in 2024 to our Brunswick Avenue site and relocated our Drop-In Center, Anchor Line Apartment Program and offices for our Street Outreach Program and Connect to Home Programs to this location. It is a more warm and welcoming space for our youth and expanded our presence in Trenton.
Anchor House celebrated the grand opening of this new site with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony attended by staff and Board members, funders, and friends of the agency including several dignitaries. Pictured left to right are Assemblyman Anthony S. Verrelli, Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, US Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman, me, and Anchor House Board President Kristie Sells.
It was a joyous day cutting that ribbon! In the summer, Anchor House also hosted on Open House to promote our services, particularly ones offered at the Drop-In Center.
Revitalized Mission, Vision and Values Statement and New and Enhanced Programming
Guided by our Strategic Plan, Anchor House seeks to enhance and add new programming to better serve our youth and families. Our Strategic Plan efforts led us to revamp our Mission and Vision and create a new Values statement. It better reflects the work we are doing now and the population we are serving. And what a gift – our young people helped in the process to craft the new Mission, Vision and Values statement.
Anchor House is appreciative of the funding and the donations our agency receives that enables us to continue and expand our programming and offer new services – it is a true gift! After losing our federal funding in 2022, our Street Outreach Program (SOP) became limited. Thankfully, Anchor House was able to secure this funding in late 2023 and hire two SOP Counselors in 2024. This quickly led to this team reaching more youth on the streets and offering them more services like crisis intervention, case management, and the distribution of needed items like food, clothing, and hygiene products.
Anchor House also was able to launch a new Rapid Rehousing Program, designed to meet the specific needs of LGBTQI+ youth. We decided to launch this program based on the need for it as research has shown that those who identify as LGBTQI+ have a 120% higher risk of experiencing homelessness and also are more likely to experience assault, trauma, depression, and suicide when compared to non-LGBTQI+ populations while also being homeless.
Anchor House Foundation Ride for Runaways
I am in awe each year of the passionate and dedicated participants in the Anchor House Foundation Ride for Runaways. 46 years and counting! From those who cycle 500 miles in the Classic Ride, to those who walk or bike closer to home, to those who work behind the scenes, you are all a gift to me and our kids!
You!
YOU are a gift to us. Whether you are a youth, volunteer, staff member, donor, Board member, community partner, or friend, you have made a difference to Anchor House.
I wish you the happiest of holidays and New Year.
P.S. If you want to make a gift of a donation to Anchor House, go to our Donate Page or learn how you can give the gift of time and talents to Anchor House on our Get Involved Page.
