Part 1
Integra Feliciano:
From its beginning, Lawrence Non-Profit Housing has aspired to improve the lives of those
living in and around the Eggerts Crossing neighborhood.
In the 1960s, Federal legislation creating Lyndon Johnson’s “Great Society” programs encouraged the formation of community improvement groups — action councils — and made funding newly available for a wide range of social service programs and for constructing affordable housing.
Community-minded Eggert’s Crossing residents and socially progressive Lawrence Township residents conceived of a neighborhood and higher quality of life by forming the Lawrence Community Action Council in 1965. They applied and received funding for the first Head Start program and a neighborhood service center, now called Lawrence Community Center. These two programs were the first funded in Mercer County.
In 1966, Fred Vereen, Jr. became president of the Eggert's Crossing Civic League. He presented a position paper to the board of education, requesting for more attention to be paid to the concerns of parents in Eggert’s Crossing, more communication between schools and the Eggert’s Crossing community, sidewalks for children walking to school, an increase in African American teacher hires, and urged the board to encourage the immediate establishment of a racially balanced curriculum throughout the school system.
Fred Vereen, Jr.:
We undertook this program to raise the achievement levels of our children and to provide them with better lifetime opportunities. Our appearance before the board of education was designed to achieve this same purpose. At the same time, we met with and encouraged families to get more involved with the education of their children and to take advantage of the good educational system that Lawrence has to offer.
Part 2, “Overcoming Obstacles” 1967-present
Integra Feliciano:
In 1967, the Lawrence Community Action Council sponsored the creation of Eggert’s Crossing Village, a federally subsidized, affordable housing development in Lawrence Township. The complex has 100 one- to five-bedroom units, primarily townhouses, and is owned and managed by Lawrence Non-Profit Housing (LNPH), inc., a community-based nonprofit (501)(c)(3) corporation. The philosophy of the founders was not to just provide decent, affordable rental housing, but housing that would prepare people to make the next step and move up to home ownership.
Fred Vereen, Jr.:
The founders knew that the task of bringing subsidized housing into Lawrence Township was going to be a challenge, so they took a survey in the community of Eggerts Crossing. The theme was, “Action For Progress,” and called, “Project Pride.” One hundred families were interviewed. The survey told us the condition of their house, if they owned or rented, the size and make-up of their family, and if they would move if decent housing was provided. It also told us the size of bedrooms that were needed.
The plaque I am holding has the names of the sponsoring organizations, their representatives, other trustees, the architect, and the attorney. This plaque was given to them in 1972, after the signing of the mortgage and at the dedication celebration.
Integra Feliciano:
In 1999, LNPH launched a project called “Renewing Our Commitment to Community” to address the educational and social challenges facing Eggerts Crossing Village families. The project's objectives were “to motivate the young residents of EC Village to reach their highest potential as educated, mature and fulfilled adults” and to involve their parents in their education.
Every Child Valued was formed in 2009, building on a partnership at the Lawrence Neighborhood Service Center (LNSC) with Lawrence Township Public Schools.
Fred Vereen, Jr.:
Every Child Valued aims to address the historic pattern of achievement gaps among its children in the Lawrence Township Public Schools and to encourage and support the young residents of Eggert's Crossing Village toward this outcome. It has not only received local and national awards for its program but has measurable success for its students, the parents who are now more involved in the educational process of their children, the Eggerts Crossing Village community, and the Township of Lawrence.
Integra Feliciano:
The community has nurtured partnerships with local organizations and businesses, such as the Lawrence Township School District, Education Testing Service (ETS), Church & Dwight, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, the Princeton Area Community Foundation, The Lawrenceville School, and Bristol Myer Squibb, among others, and most importantly with many individual donors who have been consistent and steadfast in their contributions to continue building the Eggerts Crossing Village community and supporting its residents in achieving their goals.
Part 3, “Vision for the Future” 2023 and beyond
Integra Feliciano:
Now, 48 years later, LNPH has satisfied the initial mortgage and refinanced Eggerts Crossing Village in a way that will ensure its continuing health as an affordable housing community for decades to come.
Fred Vereen, Jr.:
When the original mortgage was signed, I didn’t imagine this day. So many individuals worked hard to make this dream a reality. Now, after all these years, not only are we blessed to have our youth and their families continue this important process of life, but we have a management company, PRD, Inc. that shares the same philosophy that our founders and boards of directors envisioned for the families of this development.
Integra Feliciano:
We imagine a future that builds on the successes of our community, which continues to change and grow. We developed youth scholarship programs, support our young students with the Every Child Valued after-school and Summer Enrichment programs, and provide educational support and college scholarships to our community.
Fred Vereen, Jr.:
Our founders started us on this journey. It’s up to us to continue it by preparing the stars of today and tomorrow.
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