For most children the first day of school is full of excitement. New clothes, new sneakers and anticipation of meeting up with old friends and making new ones. However, for HomeFront’s hom
For 19 years, HomeFront, of 1880 Princeton Ave., Lawrence, has ensured that all of its children go to their first day of school wearing new clothes, new shoes and ready to begin a new academic year. This month, over 1,200 children of the working poor and homeless in Mercer County need help.
”We are asking churches, families and businesses and individuals once again to equip our kids for school,” said Connie Mercer, HomeFront’s executive director. “Equipping kids for school is one essential step in helping these children start the school year on the right foot. You can’t imagine the joy these children show when they see they are going to be just like the other kids. They can look forward to school with the same excitement and anticipation as any other children and they are ready to learn.”
In addition to outfitting children for a new school year, HomeFront also needs contributions to their “School Fund,” which is used throughout the year to enable the children of very low-income families to go on a school trip, buy sports equipment or even a class photo.
”For our homeless families these items are unaffordable luxuries,” Ms. Mercer continued. The School Fund also serves another purpose. It allows HomeFront to purchase items such as sneakers or clothes throughout the year. The children may also have to change schools, and it is again important they get off to a good start. This fund helps meet these special needs throughout the year, not just on the first day of school.
HomeFront helps homeless families with children become self-sufficient, contributing members of the community by providing emergency shelter and affordable permanent housing for families, life skills training for the parents, and educational and recreational programs for the children. To contribute to the School Fund, or to learn more about HomeFront, call (609) 989-9417 or visit www.homefrontnj.org.