Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison is fortunate to have the support of the Tzu Chi Foundation in our work to make a difference in our communities.

The Tzu Chi Foundation is deeply rooted in the belief that everyone is one family on this earth. The Mid-Atlantic Region office was established in 1995 with the mission to spread compassion and use it in action through donating and volunteering.

One of the Foundations’ core programs is its food pantry. Sophie Chang, the Program Coordinator mentioned how it has grown. “Every week, every Friday we serve more than 400 families.” That work is just one example of the Foundation’s dedication to service at the local level.

Volunteers are at the heart of the Foundation’s work. “Tzu Chi Foundation is a volunteer-based foundation, we have very limited staff. Most of us are volunteers.” It is the combined compassion and drive that is so special. Some things are easier to say, but harder to do and this Foundation really puts meaning behind their words.

This is exactly what drove Melissa Mascolo, Director of Program Management for Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison, to contact the Foundation. Melissa said, “I called them for one individual, in particular, who was struggling but after speaking with them, and meeting with the team in person, it was clear their organization would be a great fit to conduct outreach at our (Permanent Supportive Housing) sites.” This is a partnership built on a foundation of trust and respect.

“We are there every month,” Sophie notes, “…the residents know who we are.”  The main service that Tzu Chi provides to Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison is connection to NJ SNAP - New Jersey’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides food assistance to families with low incomes to help them buy groceries through a benefits card accepted in most food retail stores and some farmers markets. “Our role is there to help them to understand any details if they have troubles reaching the county to get answers.” Sophie says that “we process very personal information for them,” and that “they feel more comfortable with us, and when they need help, they come to us.”

It is that kind of relationship building that really keeps the connection between the Tzu Chi Foundation and the people they are assisting strong. “People here welcome you, it is more like a family,” said Sophie.

Sophie went on to say that “the family is not just among our volunteers; we want to take the recipients as part of our family.” In the last six months that Tzu Chi Foundation has been coming to Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison, they have really made a difference for many of our residents. The familiarity with the resident community is crucial, “…sometimes they come down just to say hi,” she says, musing about the strength the relationship, “I think that’s really something special.” “Mission First is like a hub, and Tzu Chi is honored to be part of it. We can provide what we have.” Sophie thanks Mission First because due to her time with Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison, she can apply what she learned to other areas of her work.

Melissa enjoys working with Tzu Chi Foundation, and is looking to the future as well. “It’s a tremendous support to bring the services to the residents and I look forward to coming up with new ways to partner for 2024-2025, especially as we expand our pantry program!”

Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison really admires the impact that the Tzu Chi Foundation has on the local community. They embrace the meaning of putting people first, and we are grateful to be involved in this amazing partnership with them.

Isn’t it a great feeling to know that someone has your back? For residents at Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison, they were reminded of that feeling before the start of the new school year.

As we said goodbye to summer, the school year and fall were right around the corner. Back to School shopping can be a busy and stressful time for a lot of people, but thanks to Family Voice and Walmart, the process was a lot easier for our residents this year.

A few years ago, Director of Program Management Melissa Mascolo was introduced to Michelle Burell, CEO of Family Voice, an encounter Mascolo is grateful for. Family Voice is an organization that supports, advocates and educates families throughout Middlesex County. Michelle has been presenting workshops to residents over the last year, including sessions on stress and anxiety, a parenting self-care group, as well as a civics roundtable. As an extension of that work, Family Voice made sure all of the children at Imani Park and Amandla Crossing received a new backpack for the 2024-2025 school year.

For the second year in a row, the Walmart Academy program provided supplies and snacks to help fill those backpacks and get the children ready for the school year. Last year they supplied everything, and this year they could only supply the items. Michelle did the backpacks, and all worked together to ensure kids had what they needed. On the day they dropped off the supplies, the Walmart team also had a chance to tour our properties and mingle with our residents.

Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison is grateful for the generosity that Family Voice and Walmart has shown to our community!

Last month, we hosted a Resource Fair for our residents to provide them with information about important resources offered in and around Edison. We thank to the following organizations for coming out to meet with our residents.

• Aetna/CVS
• Coming Home and the Middlesex County CPC Committee
• Jewish Renaissance Community Health Center
• Rutgers Horticulture Therapy Program
• Rutgers School of Public Health - EASI Program Interns
• Rutgers University Behavorial Health Care
• South Amboy Adult Day Care Program
• Tzu Chi Foundation

Johnson and Johnson intern donations.

St. Luke's donations.

Governor's Conference on Housing and Economic Development

St. Luke's Christmas in July donations

We have great things planned for the future 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