John O Wilson Hamilton Township Neighborhood Center Inc

THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION IS TO PROMOTE SELF-HELP PROGRAMS FOR THE POOR AND DISADVANTAGED POPULATION WITHIN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. PROGRAMS AND SERVICES ARE INTENDED, BUT NOT LIMITED TO: IMPROVING GENERAL EDUCATION LEVELS; COMBATING POVERTY AND RACISM, PROMOTING JUSTICE AND EQUALITY; ENHANCING SOCIAL AWARENESS AND PROVIDING OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICES THAT MAY BENEFIT THE INTEREST OF LOCAL RESIDENTS.

THE CENTER OFFERS A WIDE-ARRAY OF SUPPORT PROGRAMS TO AID LOW TO MODERATE INCOME FAMILIES INCLUDING EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, A FOOD PANTRY, COMPUTER LAB, HEALTH SCREENING/CLINICS, AND MORE. THE CENTER IS ALSO THE HOOME OF MANY COMMUNITY PROGRAMS, SOCIAL AND CIVIC GROUPS INCLUDING THE GATEWAY COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP -EARLY HEAD START/HEAD START (GATEWAY HEAD START), MERCER COUNTY SENIOR NUTRITION, THE GOLDEN AGERS OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS (NA), AND PHI DELTA KAPPA, INC. THE PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES INCLUDED BUT WERE NOT LIMITED TO: INFORMATION AND REFERRALS,CASE MANAGEMENT TO ADDRESS ISSUES OF SELF- SUFFICIENCY AND STABILTY. FOOD PANTRY AND HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION PROGRAM. THERE WERE OVER 220 HOUSEHOLDS THAT RECEIVED ASSISTANCE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THIS ASSISTANCE ENABLED PARTICIPANTS TO AVOID EVICTION AND AVOID UTILITY INTERRUPTION OR "SHUT-OFF". THERE WERE FRESH PRODUCE BOX GIVEAWAYS PROVIDED TO 443 INDIVIDUALS/FAMILIES. THERE WERE 528 HOUSEHOLDS THAT RECEIVED THANKSGIVING BASKETS AND 239 YOUTH RECEIVED CHRISTMAS GIFTS, WINTER COATS,HATS AND GLOVES. THROUGH PARTNERSHIP 85 EARLY CHILDHOOD YOUTH WERE EDUCATED BY GATEWAY THE SENIOR SERVICES AND ACTIVITY PROGRAMS SERVED OVER 600 SENIORS WITH LUNCH AND LEARN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, CREATIVE CRAFTS, BUS TRIPS AND A HOST OF OTHER ENGAGING ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE HEALTH AND WELLNESS. THE CENTER CONTINUES TO PARTNER WITH THE HAMILTON TOWNSHIP HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO OFFER COMMUNITY RESIDENTS ONGOING MONTHLY HEALTH SCREENINGS FOR BLOOD PRESSURE, CHOLESTEROL AND DIABETES TESTING. THE CENTER COLLABORATES WITH THE HAMILTON BOARD OF EDUCATION'S 21ST CENTURY PROGRAM TO PROVIDE TUTORING FOR STUDENTS KINDERGARTEN THROUGH THIRD GRADE. THESE TUTORING PROGRAMS ARE HELD TUESDAY AND THURSDAY AFTERNOONS. THE CENTER INCREASED ITS COMMUNICATIONA AND PROMOTIONAL EFFORTS IN 2022 AMONG INTERNAL AUDIENCES (REGISTERED CLIENTS AND PARTENR AGENCIES) AND EXTERNAL AUDIENCES (PRINT AND DIGITAL MEDIA, THE HAMILTON TWP. E- NEWSLETTER, AND SOCIAL PLATFORMS).