CYO’s East State Street Center earns Mission and Ministry, Inc. grant

The Mercer County Catholic Youth Organization recently received a $25,000 grant for its school-age enrichment programs, after-school and summer camp at the CYO’s East State Street Center in Trenton. The grant was presented by Mission and Ministry, Inc., a ministry of the Daughters of Charity of St. Louise Province.

The CYO took over operation of ESSC (formerly Martin House Learning Center) in August, 2012. All CYO programs are operated through a combination of public and private funding sources, relying heavily on public subsidies where possible. In the first year 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 the essential programs affordable for neighborhood families. 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, executive director of Catholic Social Services and a member of the CYO’s board of trustees.

In her recommendation, Sister Joanne said, “Having affordable childcare allows parents to pursue education/employment to better support their family and help them out of poverty and dependence on the welfare system.”

Extending appreciation to Mission and Ministry, Inc., Tom Mladenetz, the CYO’s executive director, said, “We are very proud of all our programs and thrilled that Mission and Ministry, Inc., has made this award.”

“There are many Trenton families who don’t qualify for publicly supported childcare programs. Through private partnerships like this one, CYO’s programs can help all children, regardless of public funding limitations. We thank Mission and Ministry for stepping up and encouraging other entities to do likewise.”