By Michael V. Crismali, Correspondent
TRENTON – Thanksgiving brings families of all kinds together. For most, it is a time for us to spend time with familiar faces and get together in a festive setting with people you have known and cared for your entire life.
As the holidays approach and we scramble to get those last minute plans in place, it can be very easy to forget that there is a segment of our population unsure of where their next meal is even coming from. It might surprise you to know that much of that population ranges in age from 12-21 years of age.
This is when the men and women of Anchor House get involved.
Anchor House was an organization founded in 1978, and served to move homeless and runaway youth off the streets of Trenton to reunite them with the family. Unfortunately, this is not always possible, so the organization has expanded its operation and now provides shelter, school outreach, transitional and supportive housing and street outreach to youth (ages 12 to 21) from Mercer County and throughout the State of New Jersey.
The symbolism of the anchor is no accident either. According to the Anchor House website, the visualization of a ship dropping its anchor to keep it safe in stormy weather is analogous to the mission of the organization. An anchor is supported by links of its chain, which in turn keep the anchor tied to the ship. The website explains that the founders understood that life’s circumstances could cause the links of a family’s “chain” to break down. Anchor House was intended to be a stabilizing place for runaway homeless, and abused youth. “It is a safe place to rest; wait through the storm while in crisis and a way to move on when the crisis is calmed.”
On Nov. 22, the men and women of Anchor House and a few helping hands put together a feast befitting a king to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. The annual tradition was well attended by youth, staff, family and friends. To those on the outside looking in, this was one special event that took a massive effort to put together, but to the men and women of Anchor House, the event is an extension of what they do on a daily basis. They supply a safe and family atmosphere for the youth who need it the most. They do it professionally, consistently and unconditionally, giving the youth they serve so much to be thankful for this holiday season, and every day thereafter.
To learn more about Anchor House, visit the website at www.anchorhousenj.org. If you need help, call 609-396-8329.
