Many challenges face our Capital City. Violent crime is increasing; budgets to historical and cultural institutions are being cut; the education and protection of our children continues to prove challenging; unemployment plagues society; hopelessness and fear fester in the hearts and minds of our citizens. Trenton is in the middle of some very tough economic, cultural and political times. Yet, looking at what groups are doing at the grass roots level, I am convinced that our city is poised for a renaissance. The comeback will not be driven by government alone; it will be aided by Trenton’s residents. Beautiful things are happening in neighborhoods, schools and churches of this fine city.

The I Am Trenton Community Foundation awards grants to agencies and organizations that serve residents in Trenton. Our goal is to support organizations that improve our community and add to its quality of life through a competitive grant-making program that promotes equity and diversity in Trenton. We also encourage partnerships. The core program areas include: community and cultural connections, community development, youth development and education and training.

This month, the I Am Trenton Community Foundation supported 10 tremendous projects with our grants for 2011. We recently announced the awardees in a ceremony at the Old Barracks Museum. Especially during this time of austere budgets, we are proud to support the culturally significant programming that the Old Barracks provides.

A grant will help defray the cost of providing the “Meet the Past” program to students from Trenton schools. This innovative living history program incorporates personalized “first-person” historical interpretations that enhance classroom teaching about New Jersey’s role in the American Revolution, creates memorable educational experiences, and stimulates critical thinking on the causes of the American Revolution and its meaning for government and citizenship today.

The South District CPAC received a grant to increase civic engagement in the South Ward by working on two activities: a community newsletter in English and Spanish that will publish all the South Ward Civic Association meeting places, times and contact information, and a mulching program, in partnership with Trees for Trenton, that will support community cleanups and provide mulch for trees.

The Island Civic Association received a grant to support updating and reprinting the “Preparing for River Flooding: Flood Emergency Planning” brochure, which will help current and future Island residents better understand the risks of flooding from the Delaware River and include a set of strategies for evacuation preparation, reducing the effects of flooding on their properties and coping with the effects when they return home.

The Trenton Film Society received a grant to support the Youth Filmmakers Program, which will bring together a diverse group of Trenton youth and give them an opportunity to view exceptional films. Professionals will guide the participants in understanding filmmaking techniques and show them how to make their own films.

Dance Spora received a grant to support “The Dreamer,” a Black History Month dance theater performance whose theme is “cultivating our dreams through self-belief and determined action.” In addition to Dance Spora’s amazing dancers, it will feature some of our talented Trenton area students. Performances will take place at the Mill Hill Playhouse, Feb. 13-19, 2012.

Echo Inc. received support for Senior Sports Night, a collaborative effort by senior citizens from the Trenton area. Senior Sports Night will engage senior citizens across racial, ethnic, religious and economic lines to collaborate during May 2012, in celebration of Older Americans Month, and to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Trenton Central High School’s Chambers Street campus.

The below four grants were made from our Hope and Respect Fund, which is designated for organizations that provide educational resources, thought leadership, self-reliance and personal responsibility training for women and children — in particular, children raising their own children in Trenton.

Young Scholar’s Institute received a grant to support its college admissions, financial aid and career-planning workshops.

Living Hope Empowerment Center was awarded a grant to support Women’s Empowerment Day in Trenton, a one-day forum and celebration that encompasses workshops, group discussions, exhibits and service stations on matters dealing with finances, healthy eating and fitness.

Phi Delta Kappa received a grant to support a youth empowerment program for high school students. Through interactive activities, theatrical strategies and motivational speakers, the program will provide students with strategies to begin their personal and career decision-making process.

Our final grantee this year is Kids Against Bullying, Gangs and Violence, to support its Bullyproof: Healing, Comforting and Saving Our Youth program, which is designed to educate the community, specifically our school-aged population, about bullying and how to deal with its effects.

While times may be tough, the people and communities of Trenton are tougher. We learned firsthand how to make it through a hard season from George Washington and the patriots in 1776. The I Am Trenton Community Foundation’s 2011 grantees represent some of the best our city has to offer. We have learned that our community can work hard to solve problems together. I Am Trenton Community Foundation will be there to support these efforts at their infancy and beyond.

Ali Wilson is president of the I Am Trenton Community Foundation.

Click here for the original piece in The Times of Trenton.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 1, 2011

Please click here for the full press release about our 2011 funding announcement.

We continually hear about all the challenges facing our fine city. However, we hear less about the great strengths in Trenton and the ways in which they can be celebrated more often. Trenton has extraordinary citizens, organizations, civic associations and neighborhoods that are accomplishing wonderful things every day.

In recognition of these strengths, the I Am Trenton Community Foundation would like to recommit to our mission: Making Trenton even better through community engagement, building pride in our city and community-focused giving.

I Am Trenton Community Foundation was founded four years ago with the belief that its board and membership should represent Trenton’s diverse culture and community. Our billboard campaign and public service announcements have highlighted community, business and civic personalities of our Trenton community. We have also highlighted recipients of I Am Trenton community grants. Starting in December 2009, I Am Trenton Community Foundation began providing grants within Trenton. These grants helped to support projects and initiatives that were already operational and provided start-up money for others.

We have the power to become a new Trenton – one with neighbors who help one another, one that recognizes and promotes the beauty within our city, and perhaps most important, a Trenton that fights for our children to ensure their future success. We hope you will make a commitment to our shared vision.

Click here for the original piece in The Times of Trenton archive.

See the exhibit online.

The Stand Against Racism is sponsored by the Racial Justice Institute of the YWCAs of Trenton and Princeton in collaboration with the YWCAs of the Northeast Regional Council representing Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York.

For information about the Stand Against Racism, contact:

info@StandAgainstRacism.org

(609) 396-8291 x 407

www.standagainstracism.org

This event, which will be held at the New Jersey State Museum, will include live international musical performances, great food for sale by Café International, information about other activities commemorating Trenton’s special anniversary, and an opportunity to celebrate with the great people who live, work, learn and play in Trenton.

What: A Capital Kickoff: I Am Trenton’s Community Celebration of Trenton 1784: The Nation’s Capital

When: Saturday, November 7, 2009 6 pm-10 pm

Where: New Jersey State Museum, 205 West State Street

Tickets: Suggested donation is $10 each or $15 per couple for adults. Children twelve and younger attend free of charge. Tickets are available online (below) and will be available at the door.

Join I Am Trenton and the Trenton 1784 Committee to celebrate this 225th anniversary with DJ Fatha Ramzee and performances by Trenton Children’s Chorus, Trenton Community Music School, First Rhode Island Regiment, Guitarist Greg Merkle, Zingu Jazz Group, Machuco’s Trabuco, Larry White & theMajestic Roots Band. And children’s activities provided by CitySmiles!

I Am Trenton is an independent community foundation committed to the mission of making Trenton even better through community engagement and community-focused giving. I Am Trenton is a lasting resource that will grow over time, making immediate and lasting contributions to the Trenton community. I Am Trenton values wealth in all its forms — time, treasure and talent – and seeks participation from every person, business and organization in our city in the belief that giving to help each other increases civic pride and engagement, making Trenton an even stronger community.

Trenton 1784 – The Nation’s Capital Committee is planning events and activities to commemorate the 225th anniversary of the two-month period from November 1 to December 24, 1784, when the Continental Congress met in the village of Trenton, making it the capital of the new United States existing under the Articles of Confederation. During this period, the Marquis de Lafayette was welcomed by the Continental Congress and the New Jersey legislature met in joint session in Trenton. The committee is engaging numerous interested partners in Trenton and Mercer County to encourage the appreciation of this historical anniversary.

For information about the Capital Kickoff Celebration or I Am Trenton, call (609) 656-0222 or email info@IAmTrenton.org. For more information about Trenton 1784 – The Nation’s Capital Committee and activities, please visit www.Trenton1784.org.

Get your tickets here:
PLEASE NOTE: We utilize for secure online payments.

• For tickets purchased online, please bring your PayPal receipt as your entrance to the event. Doors to the event open at 6pm.
• Tickets may be purchased online until 3pm on November 6th (the day before the event). After that time, tickets are available at the door (for the same price!).

Individual Ticket(s) – $10 each

Couples Ticket(s) – $15 each

Please click the Donate button to make an additional donation through PayPal

TRENTON — City and state leaders kicked off a two-month celebration yesterday with a news conference highlighting Trenton’s brief role as the capital of the United States in 1784.

The 225th anniversary commemoration will run through Dec. 24 and will include numerous activities coordinated by Trenton 1784—The Nation’s Capital committee.

“Most people know that Trenton played a pivotal role in the Revolutionary War. This event offers the city of Trenton another opportunity to celebrate our rich history,” Mayor Doug Palmer said.

“Trenton serving as the nation’s capital was one of many key moments for our city. While some U.S. towns embellish or even fabricate their roles in U.S. history, ours is authentic. We’re the real deal.”

Palmer joined city, county and state leaders at The Old Barracks in downtown Trenton.

Activities planned for the two-month celebration include a multicultural event to be hosted by the “I Am Trenton Community Foundation” on Nov. 7; a lecture by Diane Windham Shaw, archivist at Lafayette College, on “Lafayette The Abolitionist” on Dec. 10; a “Trenton Tavern Trek” celebrating the city’s rich tavern heritage on Dec. 18, along with Revolutionary-themed meals and menus at area restaurants, and an array of activities at area house museums and Revolutionary-era sites.

The press conference marked the official launch of the www.trenton1784.com Web site, which features information about Trenton 1784—The Nation’s Capital events and activities, as well as 54 people, places and things significant to Trenton at that time.

Representative Rush Holt, Gov. Jon Corzine, Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells, Assemblyman Reed Gusciora and Palmer are honorary co-chairs.

“For two months 225 years ago, Trenton was the center of the American political universe and the home to some of our nation’s greatest minds. It’s unfortunate that so few Americans, even New Jerseyans, know about this,” Holt said.

“I am delighted to join the Crossroads of the American Revolution and members of our community to celebrate this moment in the history of Trenton, our state, and our nation.”