Each of us is more than the worst thing we've ever done. My work with the poor and the incarcerated has persuaded me that the opposite of poverty is not wealth; the opposite of poverty is justice.
Bryan Stevenson, Just Mercy
Those returning from prison after years behind bars often have few people to rely on and little or no credit history. They also face the stigma of incarceration and lack social networks to vouch for them or provide opportunities. This can make it almost impossible to raise even a small sum to support an independent business.
The Trenton Microloan Collaborative provides loans or support/services to formerly incarcerated/returning citizens in the Trenton and surrounding areas who have been in business for two or more years, demonstrate passion for their craft, a capacity to be fiscally responsible, and contribute to the community of Trenton.
TMC’s Brief History
In 2018, Westminster Presbyterian (Trenton) and Nassau Presbyterian (Princeton) churches recruited a group of members from their congregations for an innovative five-session Bible Study curriculum created by The Criterion Institute. Together they reflected on cutting-edge ways to connect their faith with the economy and issues of economic justice in their local communities. The Bible Study curriculum is designed to end in action, with the group making a small loan ($500 to $5000) to a small business in their community that advances the mission concern they have identified.
In 2020, with passionate enthusiasm the Westminster/Nassau Taskforce joined the 1 K Churches movement that engages local churches across the United States to use their assets to bless their local economies.
In 2021, by implementing the Angel Investor Model, the Westminster/Nassau Taskforce was intentionally fostering a close and supportive relationship with the formerly incarcerated/returning citizens entrepreneurs in the Greater Trenton Area by providing microloans (up to $2,000).
In 2022, the new name was adopted: Trenton Microloan Collaborative.
