Homefront Week Of Hope

Lawrenceville, NJ– HomeFront, the leading Mercer County-based non-profit organization that battles family homelessness and provides support programs for those living in poverty in Central New Jersey, is sponsoring a Week of Hope from May 9 to May 16 to heighten awareness of the plight of the underprivileged and to raise much needed funds.   HomeFront is dedicated to easing the pain of family homelessness and helping parents and their children become self-sufficient.  The organization provides an holistic array of preventative emergency and long-term support services for families who are homeless or in danger of becoming so; permanent, service-enriched affordable housing for families; tutoring and enrichment programs for children and life-skills and employment readiness training for adults.

The Week of Hope kicks off at 11:00 a.m. on May 9 with the Run for Hope, a 5K Run/Walk along the Tow Path in Princeton.  Other activities during the week include: an evening celebration at Springdale Golf Club, a Community Celebration of Hope picnic in Mercer County Park in West Windsor, a Hope on 2 Wheels Motorcycle Run, community held food drives and other volunteer opportunities and educational programs for people of all ages. 

“Our goal is to create a sense of cohesiveness and solidarity within our community, says Connie Mercer,  HomeFront executive director. “As people gain a better understanding of who homeless families are and why they are homeless, our community will rally to end this injustice.

“In times of great economic stress, it is so often the children who already live in poverty that suffer the most,” she continues.  “The average age of a homeless person in Mercer County is seven years old!  Children deserve a roof over their heads.  Everyone deserves to live in a home where they feel safe and secure and our area has the resources and the compassion to make that happen for every child. 

“We are mounting the HomeFront Week of Hope right now because I think Americans have reached a point where everyone is looking for a way that they personally can improve the lives of others and be part of a solution.  This weeklong campaign is a great way to give people of all ages a chance to make a difference.”

For more information, call HomeFront at 609-897-9417 ext. 133. Or visit their website at www.homefrontnj.org.