UUCP has been actively engaged with Habitat for Humanity in the East Trenton neighborhood for over four years. Our first major effort was to transform a 20 x 40 sq ft storage room at Habitat headquarters into a Community Learning Center. The congregation donated funds and many hours of work to create a beautiful community resource. Tasks included carpentry, installing a new dropped ceiling with fluorescent lighting, sheet-rocking, spackling, painting and trimming, plumbing two bathrooms, electrical work, removing old flooring, laying new sub flooring (pounding in over 4,000 nails!, installing a 4-color design tile floor, purchasing and assembling Ikea storage cubbies and kitchen cabinets, installing computer stations and audio-visual equipment. The Learning Center was formally dedicated in May 2008. Several UUCP volunteers are tutoring students and local residents at the Learning Center.

UUCP also has members serving on the Habitat for Humanity Partner Family Committee. The congregation has contributed funds and volunteer efforts for building a group of five new homes, recently completed. Our Partner Family has moved into their new home. UUCP folks hosted a house-warming, dedication service and party to bless and celebrate their new home.

In addition to home construction activities, UUCP also hosts annual Halloween, Christmas and Easter parties at The East Trenton Center. Members of our church, East Trenton residents and Habitat for Humanity partner families gather together to host kid-centered parties, with crafts, games and other fun activities. It is a meaningful partnership that creates positive impact in the East Trenton neighborhood surrounding the Center.

The need for safe, affordable housing in Trenton remains great. UUCP members and friends continue to help Habitat for Humanity build such homes near the East Trenton Center. Once a month, on a Saturday, a group of people from UUCP meets there and serves as a "construction crew," helping with whatever phase of home construction is happening. Additional volunteers are welcome regardless of experience. Tools and supervision are provided. The personal satisfaction of using one’s hands, side-by-side with partner families and others, to help build these homes is real. There are great opportunities to learn new, practical skills and to get better acquainted with fellow UUCP members.