The Trenton Center for Healing, Unity, and Belonging (The HUB) celebrated its grand opening on December 3. The center, a collaboration between Creative Change Counseling Inc. and the Mercer County Department of Human Services, Division of Youth Services, provides a community-focused approach to justice, placing a strong emphasis on restorative practices, healing, and proactive community engagement over punitive measures.
In a press release, the center offered the following outline of its mission and programs:
Purpose and Mission: The HUB serves as a welcoming, safe space for Trenton residents, offering alternative pathways to address and resolve conflict, promote accountability, and support youth at risk of involvement in the juvenile justice system. With intervention, diversion, and prevention initiatives at the forefront, The HUB focuses on breaking the cycles that lead young people to enter or re-enter the system, fostering long-term resilience and hope in the community.
Community Impact: The HUB’s mission extends beyond traditional justice, aiming to create a community-based model that addresses underlying causes of conflict and provides resources for both youth and families. By tackling the factors that contribute to justice involvement — such as trauma, limited educational support, and lack of community resources — The HUB seeks to restore relationships and empower youth, reducing recidivism and promoting healthier paths forward.
Restorative and Transformative Justice Components: Through specialized programs, The HUB facilitates dialogues between those impacted by harm, creating space for healing, accountability, and the opportunity to repair relationships. Our restorative practices support young people in taking responsibility in a way that fosters growth rather than punishment, while transformative justice efforts target systemic issues such as inequity, trauma, and the need for community resources.
Youth Intervention, Diversion, and Prevention Initiatives: Our youth-centered programs are dedicated to early intervention and provide proactive support to prevent justice involvement. By offering wraparound services, life skills training, and access to counseling and mentorship, The HUB is equipped to guide youth and families through challenging circumstances, helping them make positive decisions and build constructive paths.
The Trenton Center for Healing Unity and Belonging, 16 West Front Street, 3rd Floor, Trenton 08608. 609-215-7440. Lakisha Adams, program administrator. www.youbelongatthehub.org.
