The Mercer County CYO recently received a $50,000 grant for its East State St. Center (ESSC) pre-school, after school and summer day camp programs, from Mission and Ministry, Inc., a ministry of the Daughters of Charity St. Louise Province. The grant is a follow-up award to the $25,000 awarded by MMI to the CYO last year.

“This second grant award from Mission and Ministry, Inc. is truly a blessing!” said Tom Mladenetz, CYO executive director. “Many parents have told us they could not keep their jobs without the private childcare subsidy they receive [and] partners like MMI allow us to help these families.”

All Mercer County 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 and 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 last year’s grant, MMI monies will be used to support that subsidy program.

CYO’s grant request was endorsed by Daughter of Charity Sister Joanne Dress, executive director of Catholic Social Services in the Diocese of Trenton. 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.”