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Mercer County Hispanic Association
ALTERNATE NAME
MECHA
ADDRESS
P.O. Box 1331
Trenton, NJ 08607
18 East 6th Ave.,
Hamilton, NJ 08619
PHONE
609-587-8800 - office
FAX
609-587-8836
ADMINISTRATOR
Luisa Robinson, Executive Director
CONTACT NAME
Sam Tayebi, Office Manager - Trenton
DESCRIPTION
A private, non-profit community-based organization founded in
1985 to establish and ensure that adequate representation and
services are provided to meet the needs of the Latino population
in Mercer County. Its mission is to provide and/or facilitate
access to social services and advocate on behalf of the Latino
community. The staff is bilingual and bicultural, representative of
the community it serves. Although the organization's focus is
on the Latino community, MECHA serves people in need from all
of Mercer County's communities, working to provide them with
the skills and services necessary to promote self-sufficiency.
PROGRAMS
Housing Resources Center: Offers housing locator services
and, as a HUD-certified agency, provides counseling, education
and training on issues such as tenants' rights and
responsiblities, opportunities and trends in homeownership
(pre- and post-mortgage), technical assistance and counseling
with financial problems. In addition it advocates for the
individual and assists with utilities and other housing difficulties,
at times providing funding subsidies. The program also has a
Homebuyer's Club component conducted in English and Spanish.
Job Readiness, Search and Placement: provides training and
assists clients in obtaining and/or accessing better employment
opportunities. Via education and training, MECHA assists in the
development of job search and placement skills, as well as
providing referrals to academic, technical and non-traditional
job training. MECHA's job readiness program focuses on
English as a Second Language and basic reading, writing and
math.
Multi-Services Family Center: provides in-depth case
management, familiy counseling, life skills education and
parenting skills development aimed at preserving the family unit.
MECHA also offers translation services, technical assistance,
general information and referrals to other programs and services
in this area and serves as a liaison between clients and the
courts, local Social Security offices, Mercer County Social
Services, and other government social service provider agencies.
New Immigrant Education and Advocacy Program: increases
awareness of immigrants' rights and responsibilities,
encourages ESL and legal status attainment in the United
States, and provides other support services to immigrants,
including victims of domestic violence, in Mercer County.
Youth Services: 1) BEST (Bilingual Employment Skills Training),
a 6- to 8-week youth job readiness program, followed by a 6-
to 8-week job internship placement component designed for
young Latinos between 14 and 19; 2) Summer Day Camp
Program is an educational and recreational program designed
for low- to moderate-income Latino children ages 6-12. It takes
place in July and August for 7 weeks as a viable alternative for
child care, development and recreational activities; 3) Child on
Board is a traffic safety program that educates families and
children on the importance of using and properly installing car
restraint seats for children ages 0-8.
LYEASA (Latino Empowerment Against Substance Abuse): a
bilingual/bicultural after-school and substance abuse prevention
and education program that seeks to proactively address
familiy management, providing age-appropriate substance
abuse prevention and education, academic tutoring and cultural
enrichment and development for Latino children ages 6-12.
FOUNDED
1985
SUBJECTS
Ethnic Organizations
Advocacy
Employment and Training
ESL
Housing
LAST UPDATED
10/08