City of Trenton, New Jersey

The site of a decisive American victory during the War of Independence, Trenton, New Jersey’s Revolutionary roots run deep and remain strong.

Trenton residents are reimagining what communities can be when no one is hungry, neighbors have a say in the laws that affect their lives, and moms have safe, respectful healthcare during and after pregnancy. In the multiracial and multi-ethnic city, Black and Latino Trentonians are leading the charge to fulfill their vision for a healthy and prosperous region where they keep each other safe. Trenton, the state capital, repeatedly models how community engagement can lead to policy change that centers public health, safety, and wellbeing.

Through the tireless work of a multisector partnership of healthcare organizations, city agencies, and health service providers, Trenton has overhauled numerous public services and policies to more effectively prevent violence, promote maternal and infant health, advance food security, and invest in communities. It has successfully redesigned response systems so that health workers trained in de-escalation are the first line of contact in nonviolent emergencies. The city has also established mobile food banks to come to doctors’ offices to provide people better access to vital services. Trenton knows that when people work together to build power and public health, they can win revolutionary policies that work for everyone. Key highlights of their work include:

• The Trenton Restorative Street Team and Trenton Community Street Team use restorative justice practices to heal and empower marginalized communities. The teams work to prevent community violence and to impact systems through advocacy and legislation to help ensure sustainable change. From first response to victim advocacy, safe passage to reintegration of returning residents, community circles to community mediation, Street Team efforts have led to new legislation establishing community-led response teams (instead of police) for nonviolent, drug-related behavioral health calls in Trenton. The teams also support services for formerly incarcerated individuals across New Jersey.
• The New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate has recognized the success of the Trenton Health Team’s collaborative Tri-County Food Insecurity Index and is creating a statewide version of the food index to all N.J. counties.
• Launched by New Jersey’s First Lady Tammy Murphy, the statewide Nurture NJ program is committed to reducing maternal and infant mortality in the state. Through the program’s efforts, more than 45 pieces of related legislation were passed, from Medicaid rate parity to doula access. In 2023, the program culminated in the establishment of the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority, the first of its kind in the country.
• A collaboration of local health, faith, and community institutions, For My Baby and Me was established to provide services for pregnant people impacted by opioid use disorder. Services include safe and sober housing, medication, group therapy, prenatal care, job training, transitional housing support, and other supportive services. Since 2017, the program has provided care for more than 175 people and their families, with outcomes including shortened ICU stays for infants.
• In just a few short years, the Trenton Neighborhood Initiative has helped 35 families buy their home through a down payment assistance program. The initiative has provided nearly 150 families with financial counseling, distributed more than 15,000 meals and bagged food staples and 100 students received Mercer County scholarships.