How we make a difference

Our Safe Housing programs provide a safe haven and housing assistance for youth and young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Programs include our Youth Emergency Shelter, Transitional and Apartment Living and assistance with securing housing and other essential and supportive services. Programs address our clients’ immediate needs while helping to prepare youth for productive and independent lives.
Housing based programs
Anchor House Shelter
For ages 12-17. The shelter’s primary purpose is to meet the immediate needs of runaway, homeless, abused, and at-risk youth and their families in Trenton, New Jersey.
Anchorage Transitional Living Program
For ages 18-21. This program provides long term transitional living services to homeless young adults who are aging out of the New Jersey child welfare system. This program operates a group home as well as a supported housing apartment program.
Anchor Line Apartment
For ages 18-21. This program provides subsidized housing, food, case management, and life skills education in order to give them the time and skills they need to successfully live on their own.
Connect to Home Apartments
For ages 18-21. This program provides Housing Choice Vouchers through the Department of Children and Families and the Department of Community Affairs.
Rapid Re-Housing
For ages 18-24. This program provides supportive services to youth who meet HUD eligibility requirement to live in their own apartment,

Our Street Outreach efforts are at the forefront of Mercer County’s youth homelessness prevention efforts. We offer a comprehensive coordinated system of care working directly with youth to help meet basic needs, improve well-being and self-sufficiency. Our staff patrols high risk areas in Trenton/Mercer County and we operate two Youth Drop In Centers in Trenton. We offer a link to a range of services at Anchor House and throughout the community.
Outreach based programs
Anchor Link Street Outreach
Anchor Link is the agency’s Outreach program and provides services to youth ages 14-21.
CEAS Program
Coordinated Entry works with the City of Trenton Coordinated Entry System to assess and prioritize youth and young adults who are homeless.

Our Counseling Services provide compassionate care to improve life skills and encourage everyday functioning. Mental health prevention and intervention services are based on a positive youth development model in a trauma care informed environment. We also offer substance abuse prevention and refer youth to other services in the community as needed for additional services.
Counseling based programs
Mental Health
Anchor House is committed to helping youth improve their well-being and increase healthy behaviors. We believe mental health is just as important as your physical health.
Substance Use Support & Education
Our substance abuse prevention services help to educate and improve quality of life while promoting healthy lifestyles.

Our Life Skills and Educational Assistance program provides positive life skills development and educational assistance and preparation. We work directly with youth on site and in area schools to help improve social and emotional development and academic achievement. We also provide supportive life skills across all programs with the goal of greater self-sufficiency.
Life Skills & Education Based Programs
Life Skills
Our program aims to improve the development of social and emotional and life skills for youth involved in the child welfare system.
School Outreach
Our program provides individual and group counseling to students in middle and high schools in Mercer County to help them remain in school and improve well-being.

Our Youth Advisory Council program provides an opportunity for youth to develop their voice through civic involvement and service. Youth develop leadership and advocacy skills by volunteering in the community and participate in local and national efforts to help prevent homelessness. Youth also have a seat at the table in developing Anchor House programs and services.
Youth Leadership Development Based Programs
Youth Advisory Council
The program provides an opportunity for youth to develop leadership skills and participate in civic engagement.