December 11, 2010: Nine PA3 members visited the Rescue Mission of Trenton for a morning of learning and service. Picture on left was taken in the women’s emergency shelter. PA3 volunteers (pictured l-r) were Grace Penn ’99, Ed Andrews ’71, John Penrod *94, George McLaughlin ’58, Tom Pyle ’76, Arlen Hastings ’80, Sara Hastings ’09, Tom Hastings ’79, and Sunu Joseph p13.

According to its literature, the Rescue Mission “helps struggling individuals in Trenton by providing them with shelter, food, and substance abuse treatment.” This is an understatement; the Rescue Mission, which occupies a full city block, provides an impressive array of services and learning opportunities on both an ongoing and emergency basis. It was abundantly clear that the Rescue Mission takes seriously its commitment to “create an environment where its clients can live with dignity, build self-esteem, and experience love, responsibility and hope.”

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: The Rescue Mission offers classes and individual tutoring for its resident clients. Volunteers who are able to make a weekly commitment are currently needed to teach a GED writing class (Mondays from 5-6) and a basic computer skills class (Fridays from 1-2). There are openings on Sundays at 11 and Tuesdays at 2 for volunteers who would like to design their own classes. Tutors are needed weekdays from 5-6 , or on weekend mornings, to work with individuals. For more information about ways to volunteer, click here. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Jennifer Sanderson of the Rescue Mission staff, with a copy to Arlen Hastings, PA3 Community Service chair, and identify yourself as a PA3 member.

If you would like to volunteer but can't make a weekly commitment, the Rescue Mission also welcomes volunteers on the first Saturday of every month from 10:00-12:30 to assist in a variety of projects including sorting clothing for the thrift store, painting and cleaning.