John O. Wilson Hamilton Neighborhood Center, Inc.
Organizational Overview and Programs Summary
Vision, Mission, and Commitment:
Vision: To provide support services that build confident individuals, cohesive families and resourceful communities.
Mission: To strengthen individuals, support families, and build thriving communities.
Commitment: To be inclusive, equitable and diverse in our programs, services and resources offered to the community.
Organizational Overview and History:
With more than 50 years of service in the Hamilton Township community, the John O. Wilson Hamilton Neighborhood Center, Inc. (501(c) 3) is a resource for individuals, families, adults, youth, and seniors. Our mission is to offer programs and services that strengthen individuals, support families and build thriving communities. Our programs and services include but are not limited to: food and clothing assistance, homelessness prevention (emergency financial support), parent support, computer education, summer camp, senior activities and nutrition, bus trips, immunization & health screenings, case management, and information and referrals .
Now known as “The Wilson Center,” the John O. Wilson Hamilton Neighborhood Center, Inc., was originally founded in 1967 in the basement of the Saint Phillips Baptist Church by Pastor John O. Wilson, as a child care center. However, it was Pastor Wilson’s vision to provide more than child care services to the community – he wanted a resource center, a place where community residents could receive services and support. In 1976, the Township of Hamilton, NJ dedicated our current location of 169 Wilfred Avenue to his cause.
More than just a child care center, the current facility offers a wide-array of support programs to support low to moderate income families including emergency financial assistance, a food pantry, computer lab, health screenings/clinics, and more.
Additionally, the John O. Wilson Center is the home of many community programs, social and civic groups including the Gateway Community Action Partnership – Early Head Start/Head Start (Gateway Head Start), Mercer County Senior Nutrition, the Golden Agers of Hamilton Township, Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and Phi Delta Kappa, Inc.