New Jersey Senator Shirley K. Turner Champions $2 Million State Grant for Mercer Street Friends
Mercer Street Friends, a leading nonprofit advancing educational equity and family well-being, is doubling its Community School footprint in Mercer County with support from a transformative $2 million state grant. The expansion increases the number of Community Schools from three to six, with new locations at Cadwalader Elementary in Trenton, Klockner Elementary in Hamilton, and Antheil Elementary School in Ewing.
The state grant, championed by Senator Shirley K. Turner (D-Mercer/Hunterdon), is part of a broader collaboration called THE (Trenton, Hamilton, Ewing) Mercer Community School Coalition that includes the Princeton Area Community Foundation, Trenton School District, Hamilton School District, Ewing School District, and Mercer Street Friends.
Community Schools are a nationally recognized model that transforms public schools into neighborhood hubs where students and families access a wide range of holistic supports. These schools remove barriers to learning by integrating academics with health and social services, youth and community development, and family engagement, creating environments where students can thrive.
“For more than 10 years, Mercer Street Friends has been laying the groundwork for the Community School program in Trenton,” said Senator Shirley K. Turner (D-Mercer/Hunterdon). “This model recognizes that students learn best when their academic, social, emotional, and basic needs are addressed together. By bringing education, health care, family supports, and community partnerships under one roof, community schools help remove barriers to learning and create stronger outcomes for students and families alike. Expanding this approach is critical to ensuring that more children in New Jersey have the support they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond.”
Since 2015, Mercer Street Friends has served as the lead agency for the Community Schools initiative in Trenton, first at Luis Muñoz-Rivera Elementary School and then at B.C. Gregory Elementary School and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School. Over 10,000 lives – students, families, and the community have been impacted by the Community Schools program. With the addition of Cadwalader Elementary, the program now reaches even more students in Trenton, while expanding into Hamilton and Ewing for the first time.
Led by Mercer Street Friends Site Coordinators and Assistant Site Coordinators, Community Schools offer several expanded learning opportunities for students, including Summer Program, Reading Intervention, Social and Emotional Learning supports and a robust Youth Development Program. Integrated services offer family support and parent education services, school-based food pantries, expanded learning programs, and referrals for housing, mental health, and case management services.
Bernadette Trapp, Director of Community Schools for Mercer Street Friends, offered, “As a former educator and principal in the Trenton Public Schools, I saw firsthand how students can excel academically when they receive comprehensive support. Our Community Schools initiative invites communities to invest in their children. Social, emotional, physical, and academic support are essential to create stronger students, stronger families, and stronger futures. Special thanks to Senator Turner, who recognized the impact of our work, and funders like our long-time partner, Princeton Area Community Foundation, who help to lead the way in those investments.”
“Trenton Public Schools has experienced tremendous success implementing the Community Schools model,” said Superintendent James Earle. “Currently, three schools, two elementary and one middle school, partner with Mercer Street Friends to provide students and families with academic support, reading interventions, food assistance, and strategies to meet social and emotional needs. We are very excited to expand this initiative by adding a new elementary school during the 2025-2026 school year. This expansion reflects our continued commitment to addressing the whole child academically, socially, and emotionally, and to building strong partnerships that strengthen our school communities.”
Dr. David Gentile, Ewing Superintendent of Schools, added, “The Ewing Public School District is proud to join THE Mercer Community School Coalition in exploring the Community School model for our district. We have seen the positive impact this approach has had in Trenton, and with Hamilton Public Schools now joining the initiative, we are excited about the momentum building across Mercer County. This collaborative effort reflects our shared commitment to bringing additional resources, partnerships, and support directly to our students, families, and neighborhoods. By strengthening connections between schools and the broader community, we can better meet the diverse needs of our learners and help every child reach their fullest potential.”
Dr. Scott Rocco, Superintendent of Hamilton Township School District, stated, “Hamilton Township School District (HTSD) is honored and excited to be a founding member of THE Mercer Community School Coalition, as we continue to expand our commitment to student and family success. Thanks to the collaboration and dedication of Mercer Street Friends, Princeton Area Community Foundation, The College of New Jersey, Trenton Public Schools, Ewing Public Schools, and HTSD, the opportunity to initiate a community school in HTSD will undoubtedly benefit our school communities. Each of these organizations came together with the sole purpose of helping our students and families thrive. Now, thanks to many months of planning and the assistance of Senator Shirley Turner, our efforts can become a reality.”
“Through a collaborative effort with Mercer Street Friends, THE (Trenton, Hamilton, Ewing) Mercer Community Schools Coalition was created out of need and through our own experiences through our All Kids Thrive initiative, which provided a total of $3 million in grants to 10 nonprofits and a school district working to reduce chronic absenteeism and improve student outcomes,” said Mathieu Nelessen, President & CEO of the Community Foundation. “We are thrilled that Mercer Street Friends received a state grant in recognition of its successful community schools work in Trenton.”
