Anchor House September 2025 Update | | The MVPs of Anchor House:
Thank You for Giving Our Youth a Strong Start to the School Year | | Left: Photo of NBA rising star Jamir Watkins receiving a huge thanks at the Back-to-School Bash he hosted; Right: MVPs from the Department of Transportation dropping off supplies at Anchor House from their collection drive | | |
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors and community, Anchor House youth walked into school this year with confidence and pride.
From those who shopped our Amazon Wish List for back-to-school supplies, to Trenton’s own NBA rising star Jamir Watkins—who gave back to his hometown by hosting a Back-to-School Bash at DICK’S Sporting Goods for Anchor House, to the Department of Transportation hosting a collection drive, our young people felt supported every step of the way.
You are all true MVPs to Anchor House.
| | Anchor House Youth Spotlight | | Photo of Tracy from the Anchor House Foundation Ride for Runaways Banquet | |
This is the story of Tracy, one of the young adults in our Anchorage Transitional Living Program. Thank you to Jamie Erkoboni, a member of our Anchor House staff and Communications Workgroup, for writing this story.
Tracy became a resident of the Anchorage Transitional Living Program after her father told her to leave home because he did not approve of her lifestyle choices. Suddenly, without a safe place to live, Tracy faced the possibility of trying to manage school, work, and survival on her own. Tracy shares that she knew in order to better her life, she would need to earn a degree, work hard, and save money. Without Anchor House, that dream could look very different today.
Since arriving in 2024, Tracy has been building the foundation for the future she wants. She is currently in her second year at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, studying Biomedical Sciences full time. Although she has not yet chosen a specific career path, she knows she wants to work in the medical field where she can make a difference in the lives of others. Tracy is also an active member of the NJ Army National Guard, a commitment she began at just 17 years old.
| | A photo collage of the adventures funded by Tara's Starfish Foundation. Even our staff got the chance to feel like a kid again! | | |
When youth stay at our Shelter, we want them to remember what it’s like to be a kid—or, for some, to experience that feeling for the very first time. One way is to offer them a variety of recreational activities. Whenever possible, our Case Managers and Shelter staff try to take youth offsite for fun excursions, especially during the summer months when the residents are off from school. The grants we normally receive help us cover the basics – food for meals for residents, clothing as often they come in with little apparel, transports to and from appointments. Little is left for recreational activities.
Thanks to Tara’s Starfish Foundation, this summer our kids got to truly be kids. That is at the heart of the Foundation’s mission: giving organizations like Anchor House the chance to create unforgettable experiences and joyful memories for youth who might not otherwise have them.
Tara’s Starfish Foundation was founded in memory of Carol Troy’s daughter, Tara Troy Gambardella. In addition to Carol, the Foundation’s board is comprised of many of Tara’s friends, all who wanted to find a way to stay connected with one another and keep Tara’s memory alive. Together, they decided to do this by forming Tara’s Starfish Foundation. As Carol explains, the Foundation funds projects “where kids affected by homelessness, poverty or domestic violence are having fun, doing something different, out of the ordinary.” That is exactly what happened as our youth went on adventures to places including the Philadelphia Zoo, Six Flags, Funplex, and the beach. They even got their wish to step out of their comfort zones, going on a goat hike and tackling the challenges of an escape room together.
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Introducing Anchor House's
Newest Board Member
| | Photo of Matthew Polizzotto | | Anchor House is pleased to welcome Matthew Polizzotto to our Board of Directors. Matthew brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in healthcare, mental health, and human resources. He began his career in direct care as a Mental Health Technician and Youth Counselor before advancing into senior leadership roles overseeing strategic operations, workforce development, and employee engagement for organizations with more than 1,000 employees. | | September is
National Suicide Prevention Month | | |
In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month, Anchor House has been sharing the number 988 on our social media channels to raise awareness of this important resource. But suicide prevention is not limited to one month—spreading the word about 988 is critical throughout the year.
You can call or text 988, or chat via 988lifeline.org, if you are struggling or if you are concerned about a loved one or know someone who may need crisis support. No matter where you live in the United States, you will be connected with a trained crisis counselor who is ready to help. Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
At Anchor House, the youth we serve are at higher risk of suicide. Did you know that suicide is a leading cause of death among youth experiencing homelessness? Rates are also higher among youth who have endured abuse, neglect, or involvement in the child welfare system. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, suicide rates over a 10-year period were 3.5 times higher among youth in the child welfare system than in the general population.
At Anchor House, we provide trauma-informed care and comprehensive services for youth and young adults, many who have experienced homelessness, abuse, neglect, or been involved in the child welfare system. Our services include counseling, crisis intervention, and case management. To learn more about Anchor House's mental health services, call 609-439-4215, ext. 107 (English) or 609-439-4215, ext. 104 (Spanish).
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Anchor House helps to prevent and end youth homelessness and prepares youth to live productive and independent lives. Responding to critical needs in the community, Anchor House provides the only youth shelter, transitional living, and street outreach program targeting youth in Mercer County, and one of two supportive housing programs in the county for young adults. Our mission is to provide youth and young adults who are experiencing abuse, neglect, homelessness, or are aging out of the child welfare system with comprehensive services that offer them and their families the support they need to succeed and thrive. From emergency shelter to transitional and permanent housing, Anchor House works to ensure our young people have a safe home as well as supportive and educational services for a better future.
Learn how you can stay involved at anchorhousenj.org
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