Mary Gay Abbott-Young has decided to retire from the Rescue Mission of Trenton, which will become effective on June 30, 2024.
“For nearly half a century, her impact on The Mission and The City of Trenton has been profound,” said Niel Siekerka, Chair of The Mission’s Board.
“With conviction and passion,” he added, “Mary Gay has been helping those in our community who are marginalized and unseen, speaking up for those whose voices are often not heard, feeding those who are hungry, housing those who are homeless, and providing opportunities for those who are seeking recovery.
“By surrounding herself with like-minded colleagues, she has strategically led The Mission through some of its most challenging times, more than once when the doors were close to closing. And she is leaving in her legacy an organization that is thriving, continually evolving, and poised to create an even larger impact. Meanwhile, on her way home from a 12-hour day at work, it is not unusual for her to roll down her window at a stop light and call out someone’s first name who is panhandling, asking them to come by for a meal and a place to sleep at The Shelter.”
Mary Gay started at The Mission as a Program Coordinator in 1978, after serving as a social worker in VISTA, then a counselor in a detoxification center. She rose to become CEO of The Mission, a position she held from 1986 until 2021, when she became President. She earned a master’s degree in education from Temple University, and is a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor.
Niel concluded, “I am often reminded, as Mary Gay said, ‘Look into the eyes of someone who is struggling. See their pain. And I also ask that you see their potential.’”
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