✨ Help Us Bring More Stories — and More Joy — to Trenton!

Last week, our 8-week People & Stories /Gente y Cuentos program at the Sam Naples Senior Center in Trenton, NJ, came to a heartfelt close.

Led by our talented longtime coordinator Pat Smith, 25 older adults - ages 62 to 91 - gathered each week to read, reflect, and discuss classic and contemporary short stories that sparked connection and self-discovery.

At the final session, every participant received a personalized certificate and a gift book, thanks to the generosity of donors like you.

“I saw a lot of growth in returning participants. Many who hardly spoke in previous sessions found themselves opening up,” Pat shared.

“The stories helped them reflect on their own lives and find common ground — even discovering shared histories working for the State of New Jersey.”

Participants also completed an anonymous survey, developed in partnership with Harvard University and Mathematica. Their responses were overwhelmingly positive:

“I got to meet and understand my co-seniors...Debating and communicating with peers..."

"I loved all the stories"

Your Gift Brings Stories - and Hope - Back Again

Your support makes it possible for us to return - not only to Sam Naples, but to more community centers, libraries, prisons, assisted living, re-entry facilities, and shelters across New Jersey and beyond.

Every donation helps people connect: through literature, open discussion, and shared humanity.

Please donate what you can to our $60,000 in 60 Days fundraising campaign today so more stories - and voices - can be heard.

(Every gift, large or small, helps bring us back to

communities that need us most.)