On St.Patrick's Day 2022 I started my volunteer job at Rise Thrift Store in Highstown and met…read moreLeslie Koppel Executive Director of Rise .She is truly an amazing and inspiring person to work with ! We organize and merchandise the store before we open up at 10. We take donations and sell many different items such as: housewares, electronics ,clothes, toys, shoes , pocketbooks, accessories and many more . The staff and workers are like family .Kind and fun to work with Rise has made a great impact on my life by allowing me to help others something I love to do Volunteers and workers are welcome with open arms Written by Laura Sala

From the owner: Rise is the primary non-profit social service organization in eastern Mercer County, NJ. We provide…read morereferral and support services to families and individuals in need. We offer a wide range of programs that help struggling members of our local community build independence and achieve their full potential. Located in downtown Hightstown, we are one of four neighborhood centers strategically located throughout the county under Mercer County's Community Action Program.

I found the organization slow to respond. I don't think the organization is keeping up with the…read moredemand or functioning in a manner that will allow it to keep up with the times. Lastly, the "homeshare" fee suggested I would likely be paying if they could find me a situation was the same cost for a small apartment. So why bother? It was not a good use of time for me.

I am amazed! I have NEVER had an operator nor representative of an agency HANG UP ON ME!! I wasn't…read morerude, I was seeking information from a supervisor, the gentleman on the other end had a weird attitude-refusing to listen to me, ended up by hanging up the phone!!!

How wonderful we can enjoy this center together tonight…read more Neighbors together, singing songs and doing some activities like making cookies. It was nice to enjoy the evening this way. I feel like it was such a tough year in so many ways and it's nice to have the special place.

The Peace Center in Langhorne, Pa., has been doing excellent work in conflict resolution in schools…read moreand communities for more than twenty years. Its reputation for helping out in difficult situations is well deserved and a credit to the many people who have donated so much of their lives to this worthy cause. A nonprofit organization, The Peace Center has dedicated itself to creative and effective mediations, diversity training, educational programming, and crisis consulting since its founding. Its Executive Director, Barbara Simmons, is truly a saint walking the Earth. Please lend a hand when you can.

At Caring Senior Service they have been serving the elderly since 1991, allowing them to keep their…read moreindependence. They provide in home care solutions for seniors including companionship, errand service, meal preparation, personal care and transportation services. The services and products they provide can enable you or your aging loved one to stay living independent at home. Their caregivers provide you and your loved one with the best possible in-home care services, and companionship.

I've used the United Way for their income tax service for the last three years, and I am giving…read morethem 5 stars for that alone. I'm pretty sure they offer a wide range of assistance to Mercer County residents -- and you don't have to be dirt poor to benefit. I'm pretty sure you can earn up to $55K to get your taxes done for free by this agency, though this may change each year. I just got my refund, and I couldn't be happier. The United Way uses such talented, meticulous, thorough preparers/accountants, and then each return is checked by the CEO, Herb Klein, who is such a genuinely decent guy. For a free service, you get treated with care, and with expedience - you don't languish for hours waiting for help. They're staffed properly (with many volunteers as well as staff members). Their location is near the DMV, at the Strayer University building just off of Rt. 1 in Lawrence, so it's a bit wonky to get there. But well worth the trip. The UW offers other services too, though I haven't had reason to look into them. But I'm pretty sure they'll help you find work, if you're looking, and can help you "dress for success" (the name of one of their/their affiliate programs). They help feed the hungry, and provide resources to schools, as well. Definitely check them out next year at tax time!