At this urgent time, we come together with one unified voice to stand up for Howard Healthy Choices, a beloved nonprofit organization that has served our community selflessly for the past 9 years. This is not just another program—it is a lifeline for the youth of Trenton, especially during an era of increased violence, trauma, and lack of safe spaces.

Howard Healthy Choices, led by an incredible woman of integrity and vision, operates out of 1115 Greenwood Avenue (Briggs Library)—a building once used to educate, and now revived to mentor, empower, and protect our youth. While the city no longer uses this building, Ms. Howard has kept it alive. Without charging a single fee, and relying only on community donations, she continues to:

• Provide free educational programs

• Offer mentorship and life-skills training

• Create a safe space for youth facing difficult circumstances

Support families citywide with love, resources, and guidance

What began around the COVID-19 pandemic has grown into a trusted, respected hub for healing and opportunity for Trenton’s children. Ms. Howard does not receive a salary. She pours everything she receives back into the community. Her devotion, compassion, and action are rare and irreplaceable.

But now, this center is under threat.

A legal dispute—one few understand and even fewer can justify—is putting this critical program at risk. If this building is taken away, it is not just a structure we lose—we lose mentorship, protection, and purpose for dozens of youth who walk through those doors daily.

 

Why should someone who has only ever given to this city be forced to fight for a building that no one else has cared for in years?

We, the residents of Trenton, say: Enough.

We will not allow another community-driven, youth-centered nonprofit to be shut down due to negligence, politics, or bureaucracy.

We demand that:

1. Howard Healthy Choices be allowed to continue operating at 1115 Greenwood Avenue without further legal harassment.

2. The City of Trenton acknowledge and commend the contributions Ms. Howard has made to this community.

3. The City open the door for meaningful dialogue and collaborative solutions that support—not dismantle—community service efforts.

This is a call to every corner of Trenton—East, South, West, and North. To parents, educators, faith leaders, and neighbors: sign this petition and take a stand. We must protect the few safe spaces we have left, especially when they’re led by people who serve with no pay, no ego, and no limits.

 

We’re starting with a goal of 100 signatures—but our voices are stronger in numbers.

 

Let’s show the City of Trenton that this is our community, and we will not remain silent while the city overlooks or pushes out those doing the real work.

📍 Sign below. Share widely. Show up.

Let’s fight to keep the doors of Howard Healthy Choices open—for our youth today and the generations to come.

 

#StandWithHowardHealthyChoices

#TrentonYouthDeserveBetter

#KeepTheDoorsOpen