Catholic Youth Organization of Mercer County recently received a $50,000 grant award for its East State St. Center (ESSC) pre-school, after school and summer day camp programs, from Mission and Ministry, Inc. (MMI), a ministry of the Daughters of Charity, St. Louise Province.

This is a third follow-up grant award to the $25,000 awarded by Mission and Ministry to CYO in 2014 and the $50,000 awarded in 2016. All CYO programs are operated through a combination of public and private funding sources, relying heavily on public subsidies where possible. In the first years of operation at ESSC, CYO learned many area families could not meet public subsidy income/employment eligibility standards, so CYO designed a private subsidy program with less stringent requirements, to keep these essential programs affordable for neighborhood families. As with the 2014 and 2015 grants, Mission and Ministry grant monies will be used to support that subsidy program.

CYO’s request was endorsed by Daughter of Charity Sister Joanne Dress, diocesan executive director of Catholic Social Services. In her recommendation, Sister Joanne said, “CYO Mercer is committed to serving the children and families of Trenton. They provide a quality non-school hour program with certified professionals that include both educational and recreational activities. Through the subsidy program CYO helps families by providing essential programs affordable for neighborhood families while freeing parents to pursue employment and educational opportunities in support of their families.”

“This third grant award from Mission and Ministry, Inc. continues to provide critically needed private subsidy funds for our East State St. Center families,” stated Tom Mladenetz, CYO executive director. "Currently, of the 105 children in pre-school and after school programs at that site, 36 of them (more than one-third) would not be there but for the private subsidy funds from MMI.

“MMI’s help is not only financial,” continued Mladenetz. “A CYO staff member and I were privileged recently to attend MMI’s national conference in Georgia. It was an amazing opportunity to network with other MMI grantees and share information on a variety of topics, including ‘Effecting Systemic Change’ and ‘Having a Collective Impact.’ MMI is doing extraordinary work and we are privileged to be a part of it. CYO’s partnership with MMI is truly a blessing that is having a huge positive impact on Trenton families and our organization!”

Catholic Youth Organization of Mercer County is a 501(c)(3), community organization, with 60+ years experience in childcare and youth programs. Initiated primarily as a provider of recreational activities for Catholic youth, CYO was formally incorporated in 1961, and has evolved into a full service childcare and youth development program provider. Rooted in Catholic Tradition, CYO provides these services in an inclusive, non-discriminatory manner, respecting the culture and faith of all. CYO currently serves almost 1,200 children daily during the school year and more than 1,300 during summer at nine sites in Trenton, Hamilton and Ewing.