All programs and services are free of charge and include a weekly food pantry, emergency financial assistance for back rent and utilities, senior activities, community wellness and educational programs, a computer lab, and more.

Striving to help inform, educate and bring new resources to the community, the John O. Wilson Center sponsors a variety of events including health and wellness workshops, crafts and bingo for seniors, youth activities, and more.

Food Pantry
Supporting individuals and families struggling with the ever-increasing rise in food insecurity, the Wilson Center, Inc.’s food pantry provides ongoing nourishment to residents across Mercer County. Stocked with canned fruits and vegetables, soup, pasta, rice, and other essential items, the food pantry is available to eligible residents by appointment every Thursday, between the hours of 9:30 am to 4 pm.

In addition to the Food Pantry, our efforts in fighting food insecurities include quarterly food drives available free of charge and without restriction for area residents. These include boxes of fresh produce, Thanksgiving turkeys with all the trimmings, Christmas gift baskets, and other food options to help enhance nutritional health and overall wellness.

Homeless Prevention (rent and utility assistance)
With the goal of keeping individuals and families from eviction and loss of heat, power, or water, the Wilson Center Inc.’s Homeless Prevention Program provides back rent and utility assistance to qualified residents within Hamilton Township and additional Mercer County communities. This critically needed emergency relief service offers a one-time supplemental payment toward rent, electricity, water, or heat to help mitigate the devastating effects of homelessness and sudden loss of utility.

Individual, Family, and Youth Services

• Case Management and Referrals
  The Wilson Center, Inc. offers case management and support services to the residents of Hamilton Township and the surrounding communities. Together, the case manager and the individual/family work to overcome the identified obstacles and challenges and provide supportive linkages to other agencies and targeted resources.
• Health and Wellness Programs
  With a focus on educating the general community, the Wilson Center, Inc. recently launched a series of free, in-person classes and virtual presentations to help residents better understand and improve their physical, mental, emotional, financial, and spiritual health and wellbeing. Titled, “Wellness @Wilson” these supportive presentations cover various wellness topics including how to better manage stress and anxiety, the benefits of yoga and tai chi, heart disease and diabetes education, CPR training, self-defense lessons, household budgeting, and more.
• Youth Services and Activities
  Driven to improve the quality of life for children and families in our community, the Wilson Center, Inc. rises to the challenge of meeting some of the critical needs through support programs and giveaways. These well-received initiatives included our annual school backpack giveaway, Christmas gift giveaway, winter coat/hat/gloves campaign, and our summer camp program in partnership with the Hamilton Area YMCA. Additionally, the Wilson Center, Inc. recently began planning and implementing social, recreational, and educational activities designed to foster teamwork, empathy, communication, respect for others, compromise, tolerance, and trust in other people.

Senior Activities
Recognizing the importance of maintaining social interaction and engagement with our senior population and keeping them updated on important resources to support their health and wellbeing, the Wilson Center, Inc. organizes and hosts a variety of fun, interactive programs which include bus trips to places of interest, arts and crafts, bingo and other games which help reinforce cognitive abilities, and informative classes and workshops on pertinent topics of interest.

Computer Lab/Office Services
Established to increase community access and availability to essential technology and services, the Wilson Center Inc.’s free computer lab features eight, upgraded desktop computers equipped with internet access, the full suite of Microsoft Office programs, and large-screen monitors. The lab, which is open daily between the hours of 10 am to 3 pm (by appointment only due to COVID-19 precautions) also provides free copying and fax services. Also, plans are underway to develop free, community-based computer literacy classes to support job training, new software advances, and to lessen the digital divide between generations.

Hall Rental
The Wilson Center Inc. offers its large, Multi-Purpose Room for rent to the community for special events and occasions, meetings, repasses, and other social and professional networking events.

Age Groups	Children Adolescents Adults Seniors
Community Services	Basic Needs / Assistance Food Pantry / Soup Kitchen Homeless Prevention Rental / Security Deposit Utility Assistance Seasonal Programs Back to School / Backpack Program Summer Camp

Last Updated: 01/06/24