The Princeton University PACE Center is named after John H. Pace, class of 1939. The center offers various programs that engage Princeton University students in the Trenton community. Assistant Director, and native Trentonian, David Brown was born in South Trenton and has been involved in the community throughout his entire life. David is focused on having students partner with some of the organizations here that are already doing great work. Instructing students to be collaborative partners in a shared mission of improving the city is David’s core mission. Well versed on the numerous assets that Trenton has to offer, David makes collaboration a key focus of the PACE Center.
Annually engaging in several hundred students in projects to inform them about the meaningful work already being done in the city, The PACE Center teaches how students can partner to support those initiatives. As an example, their Student Volunteers Council has students partner with an established Trenton organization to support their work in the city. Some of these programs consist of after-school tutoring, S.T.E.A.M. (Science Technology Engineering Arts and Math) enrichment programs, Habitat for Humanity, and others.
Another example is their Community Action program that engages first-year students in an immersion program with an agency leading positive change in the community. The students spend a week with the partnering agency and engage in projects to help support the entity and their program. One group spent a week at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Greenwood Avenue assisting in preparation for the opening of the Get SET After-School Program which culminated in the annual GetSET Carnival, an event that seeks to bring the community and families together for fun and games, and also offers back-to-school supplies and preparations.
The PACE Center also reaches out to community leaders to share their expertise and help share the story of Trenton. A unique way they do this is by having a community partner in residence.
In 2017 they hosted Pastor Karen Hernandez, who ministers at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Pastor Karen lent her expertise in community development to share the story of Trenton and instructed students on how they can be a collaborative partner in Trenton’s resurgence.
Princeton University’s PACE Center is a committed partner institution for Trenton’s growth now and well into the future.
To learn more about Princeton University’s PACE Center visit https://pace.princeton.edu/.
