Rescue Mission of Trenton celebrates 100th anniversary

TRENTON, N.J. (WPVI) -- For 100 years now - an old cracker factory on Carroll Street has been home to the Rescue Mission of Trenton - a place where the down and out can go for food, clothing and a bed to sleep in at night.

"Some people come in just shattered - everything they own in a plastic bag. One of the things we take great pride in is when they come to the rescue mission, we tell them, 'You're now part of something bigger than yourself, so you should respect yourself and those you are with,'" said Mary Gay Abbott Young, executive director.

James Morris is one of the mission's success stories.

Last summer he was an addict, homeless and dealing with mental problems. He''s now a housekeeping supervisor, got his GED and is taking a class at Penn.

"The rescue mission helped me in areas I couldn't help myself in and it gave me hope and ever since then I haven't looked back," said Morris.

To celebrate its 100th anniversary, the mission organized a special fundraising event including a mini golf course set up on the third floor of the building.

It also invited Eric LeGrand, a former Rutgers football player who was paralyzed in 2010, to speak about overcoming adversity.

"In the beginning I was stuck to the headboard, barely able to turn my head right and left, now I'm shaking, dancing all around - so things are coming back," said LeGrand.

Last year the mission provided 57,000 bed nights and as the people here celebrate a century of helping to rebuild lives, they know their work is far from over.

"The need is still there, the need is huge. The faces change of who comes in here every day - it's not only just the homeless alcoholic, it's now the middle class suburban heroin addicts," said Delia Dandridge, Board of Director's president.

In addition to a bed, the mission offers counseling, skills training, educational programs and motivation.

"There was a time when alcohol was a really bad thing in my life and I gave up and stopped worrying about life and I have a young daughter I'd like to get back to," said Corbin Kane.

"I've recovered and I owe these people. As long as I'm able to walk, I'll be coming here," said Frank Carroll.

The theme of the celebration - 'Rebuilding lives - making miracles happen' and for a century that's just what the rescue mission has done.

For more information visit: http://www.rescuemissionoftrenton.org/