During the pandemic, violence, both physical and verbal, against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) has increased dramatically -- hate crimes of this nature, as reported by NPR (cited in a report from the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University), in approximately 16 cities increased by 150% in 2020.  Multiple sources, including NPR and&nbs...

Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with Rider University's Dr. Jonathan Karp and Issac Harris on their Health 411 program!  Together, we had a beautiful conversation that not only allowed me to highlight Mercer Council and our programs, but to engage on a multitude of topics, including: Career paths and opportunities in the field Societal factors, including social and racial justice ...

Dear Mercer Council Family, Friends and Community –   At the close of the year 2020, a year quite like no other, we reflect on the hardships, the uncertainty, the pain and loss, social and physical isolation, among many other challenges the year has thrown at us.  This year has been an emotional roller coaster, at times very difficult and uncomfortable to bear.  We’ve seen our colle...

Greetings to our Mercer Council Family, Extended Family, Community Partners and Mercer County Community - It is hard to believe that the holiday season is upon us.  It has been a tumultuous year, filled with pain, suffering, sickness, loss, unpredictability, financial instability, social/physical isolation, among other hardships.  With these things, however, has come a sense of deep...

This past week, I was honored to be invited to share space with Stacey Ross and Marc North of Recovery Advocates of America on their show, 'The Fix'.  In addition to their roles at Recovery Advocates, Stacey and Marc are also Recovery Specialists on Mercer Council's OORP Team.  Through both of their roles, they are well versed in all things recovery and we are lucky to have their voices....

Mercer Council is currently interviewing qualified candidates to fill two openings in our Available School Youth Services Support Team (ASYSST) School Based Youth Services Program at Ewing High School!   Both positions allow for freedom to create a variety of activities and programming to support the school community, students and families as they navigate the high school years and challenges...

The Opioid Overdose Recovery Program (OORP) team has been hard at work during the pandemic, ensuring that the invaluable Recovery Support services typically provided, continue to be available, accessible and effective no matter what challenges and barriers are going on in the world right now. The Mercer OORP team has worked with 921 individuals to ...

Mercer Council team members Malissa Arnold, Jocelyn Cooper and David DeCamp all spent their Saturday supporting strong community partner, Recovery Advocates of America as they hosted their 8th Annual 5k Fundraising Walk/Run.  Despite the pandemic, Recovery Advocates safely hosted another very popular and well attended event (over 400 participants!!), that not only raises awareness about subst...

Our hearts are heavy, as we mourn and attempt to process the lives we've recently lost, who were taken from their families and communities too soon, unjustly and unfairly.  As we sit and reflect on the recent tragedies, we understand and acknowledge that this racial and systematic injustice has been pervasive and long standing and that the result has been countless loss of lives for so many b...

Our thoughts are with our community, colleagues, partners, first responders and front line and essential workers during this challenging time! We are in this together, and because of that, we are stronger. Thinking of you and sending positive energy for health and well-being. Our staff have been very hard at work, continuing to deliver important services to the community, in meaningful and creativ...

Known for our dedication to substance related prevention in the Mercer County Community over the past 40+ years, many familiar with Mercer Council are unaware that we facilitate an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that provides free, short-term, confidential counseling services for employees and household members of approximately 15-20 local businesses.   Mercer Council has licensed and...

Matt Kiefer, owner of Kiefer Landscaping, and longstanding Board Member of the Mercer Council, planned and implemented the beginning stages of an exciting new project that the Mercer Council will begin developing in the new year.   Matt has tapped into his craft to leave a lasting impact on the Mercer Council grounds and on the critical prevention work we do, and lives we touch.  We...

  Cotton candy, gummy bear, banana smash and mint. Enticing flavors tobacco companies are using to hook a new generation of kids to their products. A ploy they’ve been using for decades -- because it works. According to the 2019 Youth Tobacco Survey, 97% of youth e-cigarette users choose flavors and four out of five who have used tobacco started with a flavored product. That’s because fl...

Mercer Council Opioid Overdose Recovery Program (OORP) team members met this afternoon for their November staff meeting.   OORP’s trained and uniquely qualified Recovery Specialists (Peers) are individuals with lived experience who are in recovery from substance related challenges. Peers are dispatched to Mercer County hospitals/emergency departments to meet bedside with i...

(Barbara Sprechman gives her Community Champion Acceptance Speech) Last night, I was privleged to have attended Campfire NJ's 19th annual Golf Outing Fundraiser.  Campfire is a wonderful organization that serves the youth of our communities in a variety of ways.  Because of their dedication to and passion for shaping our youth, they deserve to be supported and celebrated.  It was a ...

Please see the below message from Governor Phil Murphy. This is an amazing chance to take advantage of an opportunity to be equipped with this critical life saving medication!  For more information Click here.

Mercer Council was visited on May 14th, by 3 individuals from the State of New Jersey, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, who are involved at the state level in the Opioid Overdose Recovery Program (OORP).  DMHAS representatives at Mercer Council's monthly OORP meeting, sung their praise for Mercer Council's OORP program, indicating in 2018, Mercer Council successfully linked 4...

The Mercer Council and Prevention Coalition of Mercer County were proud to be represented at 9 different National Night Out (NNO) locations throughout Mercer County.  National Night Out is an event that seeks to foster and enhance the relationships between neighborhoods/comminuties and various law enforcement agencies.  At the Lawrence Township NNO, Jocelyn Cooper engaged with children, ...

Mercer Council Staff, family and friends group shot.. thanks to Hal Sprechman's camera stand! Amy Argiriou and family, Gwen Jennings and family! Vanessa DeRosa and family, Ian Smith, Argiriou Family Jocelyn Cooper and Lisa Kauffman Food Tent! Charcuterie Board, brought to us by Nadine Cooper (Jocelyn's mom)! Staff and family enjoying the delicious food!  Each picnic goer brought a dish to sha...

Friends and Family of Mercer Council Staff gathered on 7/22/2018 at Lawrence Village Park, Bergen Street Pavilion to celebrate their history, accomplishments, future and one another.  It turned out to be a beautiful day, despite reports of bad weather.  Staff, family, children and friends enjoyed one another's company over delicious food, refreshing non-alcoholic beverages and a variety ...