Resident-led programming and the importance of the voices of those with lived experience is key in the work Mission First Housing Group engages in across its footprint.

You may have previously read about resident work with the Consumer Participation Committee (CPC). Perhaps you witnessed some outcomes of Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison’s first ever coLAB Arts’ Artist-in-Residence Lane Stanley. Stanley’s artistic mission was to engage residents through workshops on art making, creative writing and more to help them build new connections and relationships as well as find an outlet for channeling their struggles and expressing their emotions. The hope being that after Lane moved on, residents would begin to independently conceive and create, and develop it even further with the larger group. Woven through each of these initiatives is the thread of resident involvement. These efforts are now blossoming and bearing fruit.

In this issue we profile resident Ana Alvarez, who is active in the CPC, as well as resident-led programming taking place at Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison. The goal of the CPC is to more effectively reduce homelessness in Middlesex County through the incorporation of persons with lived experience in the collective work of the Middlesex County Continuum of Care (CoC). The committee meets twice a month as a steering committee and hosts a full group meeting that includes residents and clients at our Edison properties.

One Monday afternoon, Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison Director of Program Management Melissa Mascolo shared a photo of Ana Alvarez’ cat celebrating his second birthday. The modest but beautifully decorated cake sitting at the feet of the orange tabby served as a small but bright distraction from the day’s business. However, this kitten and his cake sparked a thought about its owner, an individual who clearly cherishes the little things.

Ana Alvarez immigrated to the U.S. from Guatemala 45 years ago along with five of her siblings and her parents and has lived in Edison since. Despite proximity to her family and familiarity of community, she has faced her share of challenges. Now feeling settled and happy with Mission First, she credits maintaining “positivity, hope and faith” as major contributors to the gratitude and happiness she feels as a resident.

Prior to her residency at Mission First, Ana was living in a basement apartment. Often leaky due to the owner’s neglect, her social worker’s promises to alleviate her situation only ended up mirroring that neglect. “Three months became 11 years,” she said, reflecting without a hint of malice. Ana was eventually told she had to leave. Her family had their own lives and challenges, and with limited access to housing and resources, she found herself living in her car with her dog.

She could have been bitter, but hers is a story of paying it forward. With help from Catholic Charities in 2023, Ana eventually found herself at our property in Melissa’s office. Since 2024, she has been a Mission First resident. “In four months of homelessness, I met beautiful, sincere people,” she said, voice leaping with joy, “so many genuine hugs.” Her approach to community involvement is much like a genuine hug, full of warmth and wisdom.

Her engagement in the Consumer Participation Committee (CPC) may be credited to some persuasion from Melissa, but the consistency, attitude and energy she approaches it with are all her own. “They wanted to move me to Toms River,” she mused, “I am grateful! This is my hometown and I get to stay here.” The gratitude shines through.

She is matter of fact when talking about her work on the CPC, seeing her participation as a natural part of membership in a healthy community. “Edison is my home, this is my community…I participate in everything,” she asserted. Furthermore, she has found a sanctuary at Mission First and is excited to spend more time in the garden with her neighbors, learn about healthy eating and try new things. “It makes me forget about my illnesses,” said Ana of her engagement. “When I’m active and learning I forget about my back pain, my fibromyalgia and my arthritis.”

Her particular brand of resilience, an ability to accept the bitter along with the sweet, is what makes her such a valuable participant in the CPC. Her sunny demeanor, due to the wisdom gained from navigating life’s storms and knowing she will not only come out on the other side, but be better for it. She takes immense pride in “being a part of a group that is sharing hope,” pausing to emphasize, “Not help. Hope.” Her advice to others living in supportive housing or transitioning to it, rings with that sentiment. “Participate! Be active for good mental health. Love animals!”

Her involvement in the community is how she practices gratitude. She reiterates how grateful she is to have settled in Edison, close to a network of family, friends, support and resources. Speaking of her goals, she says they are few, she’s content to stay at Mission First and take care of her home, her cat and her community as a member who has weathered the storm and is now happy to guide others to proverbial shelter. 

She spoke frequently of not only love but respect for her neighbors, but also of positivity, faith and hope. Ana lost her dog, a faithful companion of 13 years, a few months into her residence at Mission First. Her advice to others appears to be advice she lives by. For Ana, resilience and healing lie in the little things, such as honoring the struggles of the past, actively practicing gratitude for the gifts of the present and using each to create a brighter future not only for herself but for others. 

Since that bright Monday afternoon moment, Ana and her experiences have shifted into greater focus. It becomes clear that the same hands that baked that birthday cake are the same hands touching her community with positivity, faith and hope.

Nutrition is a community concern; a physically healthy community is stable one. Under the oversight of Andrea Dean, Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison’s food pantry program has become more robust and residents are also doing their part to take responsibility for community health outcomes.

In keeping with the idiom, “it takes village” members of this village now feel empowered to put themselves forward to share tips and techniques for delicious and healthy eating. We have had two resident-led cooking demonstrations in our community room kitchen at Imani Park and one at Amandla Crossing. Residents cooked for their neighbors bringing family recipes and sharing stories while bonding over food.

Our residents are stakeholders. Empowering them to teach and learn together, stabilizes and strengthens the Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison community.

A rainy spring means anticipation, feelings of hope and excitement about the future as residents look forward to seeing when the tomatoes will ripen or when the next flower will open. Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison has had a garden at Imani Park for many years and recently through funding from Edison Township Community Development Block Grant we were able to add a garden to its sister property, Amandla Crossing.

The gardens and horticultural therapy initiatives at the properties support physical and mental health, and well-being of residents. In the garden, residents learn how to grow and eat nutritious food and grow flowers and plants that beautify their community while also engaging in physical activity. While receiving guidance from Melissa Mascolo and Horticultural Therapist Andrea Dean, it’s wealth of benefits inspire residents to take ownership and play an active role in the garden.

Additionally, the garden offers a space for rest and relaxation, gathering and connecting with neighbors and experiencing growth and learning. Residents are incredibly proud of their work toward individual and collective goals in the garden. It becomes a community center that generates feelings of calm, decreased anxiety and improved mood as well as increased self-esteem and self-confidence.

Paint and Sip Event at Amandla Crossing

Aetna visit to Imani Park

Mother's Day Events in Edison

Garden Preparation at Amandla Crossing

We have great things planned for the end of the year holidays as well! Want to keep up-to-date on what's going on at Edison and Mission First's other work? Follow us on social media:

Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison provides permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals and families in Middlesex County. Our on-site support services offer our residents access to the resources they need to increase health, independence and housing stability. When you make a donation to Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison, you are helping to ensure that residents have the supports they need to remain successfully housed, get back on their feet and live as thriving members of the community. Your support means so much! 

Donate online by clicking below or by mail to Melissa Mascolo, Supportive Housing: Edison, c/o Amandla Crossing, 100 Mitch Snyder Drive, Edison, NJ 08837.

Do you want to do more than make a donation?

Here are some other great ways for you to help:

• Help secure a matching gift from your employer.
• Host a fundraising event and donate the proceeds to Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison.
• Host an essential items supply drive.
• Introduce your friends, family and colleagues to Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison and encourage them to give.

Do you have ideas you’d like to discuss? Give us a call! We’d love to work with you. For more information, please contact:

• Melissa Mascolo, Director of Program Management, 609.373.8550, mmascolo@missionfirsthousing.org
• Moira Rooney, Senior Vice President, Fundraising & Communications, 267.269.3331, mrooney@missionfirsthousing.org