Hamilton Hamilton Post
FEBRUARY 2022
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Community embraces John O. Wilson Center John Rafferty in 1978. The center was named after its founder, Rev. Wilson. The mission of the Wilson Center Social services are any provided services intended to aid disadvan- is to strengthen individuals, support taged, distressed, or vulnerable per- families and build thriving communisons or groups. These are services ties in Hamilton. Half of the Wilson Center facility is occuthat no one thought pied by Gateway Head they might need, but Start Mercer County which thankfully have and ushers in 85 prebeen provided for many school age kids every years in Hamilton. weekday morning. This There are a few is one facet of the Cenplaces in Hamilton that ter, which has six preoffer social services on school classrooms. an ongoing basis and The other main focus offer support for people of the Center is a food in need. The longest pantry, and homeless social services center in prevention services Hamilton is the John O. which can be rent Wilson Hamilton Neighand utility assistance. borhood Center, located There are also many on 169 Wilfred Ave.,off Laurethea Kidd senior services such Cedar Lane. as administering the “We look after the forgotten people.” Say Wilson Center’s Mercer County Senior Nutrition Prodirector, Laurethea Kidd. “Yes there gram, meaning hot meals at a much are forgotten people right here in Ham- reduced price for our seniors. Livia Childers, from Hamilton, is among the many students who train and perform Alongside the lunches there is a with Ballet Central New Jersey. (Photo by Anna Ksenzenko.) ilton. The young, the single moms, the sick, the old and those with dementia. computer lab where those who need It is my life mission and in my make up emailing, copying or printing are free to do so. There are also monthly to help them.” The Wilson Center was a vision Lunch-and-Learn meetings that prothat originated from the late Rev. Dr. vide lunch and discussion of finance, othermorning, topics. a message written in chalk appeared John O. Wilson, who wished to estab- health, exercise and One front of RWJBarnabas Health facility. The words Nestled in what is in known asan White lish a program to assist children of couldn’tfrom havethe been simpler, or more soul stirring, low income families in Hamilton. The City and built two blocks more accurate. Phillips Church, program began in the basement of St. original center at St. or Phillips Baptist Church on Parkinson the Wilson Center is a mainstay of By ThOMas KeLLy been in its Hamilton location for 10 the neighborhood. Director Kidd Avenue in Hamilton. years now and is sending students out The program became Mercer puts her arms out in a hugging into the ballet world. Ballet originated in Italy in Renais“Heroes County Head Start of Hamilton. Head motion and says, “The neighbors and sance Located on Tennis Court near the work Italy here.”in the early 1500’s. DancStart programs try to ensure the neighborhood embrace this center. ers were entertaining royalty and aris- popular Ice Land Skating Center, Balschool readiness of infants, toddlers, They are participants, stakeholders, tocrats with dances showing strength, let Central New Jersey has three large and preschool-aged children from originators. They are happy that we grace and beauty. Today, this dance is dance studios and has recently nearly Three words of gratitude and popular, encouragement thatroyalty tripled in size. Director-owners Alexare here.” low-income families. even more and not for capturefrom the Lincourage and compassion of health Kidd, who is originally Growing out of the St. Phillips ander Dutko and Thiago Silva have alone anymore. workersdegree here and To share yourcenter created something different that in across church basement a new facility was den, earned her bachelor’s ThereAmerica. is a ballet training thanks or to supportinour Emergency Fund, from Rowan built on Wilfred Avenue with federal law and criminal justice Hamilton thatResponse is helping to make focuses on dance artistry and getting master’s degree champions in dance, not just here but the student dancers out into real world Housing and Urban development University and her visit rwjbh.org/heroes funds and dedicated by then Mayor beyond. Ballet Central New Jersey has See WILSON, Page 10 See BALLET, Page 17 By ThOMas KeLLy
Their courage and compassion inspire us all.
Ballet CNJ marks 10 years in Hamilton
And please, for them, stay home and safe.
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