On September 9, 2025, more than 50 community leaders, donors, and partners gathered to celebrate the renovation of Turning Point Community Services’ (TPCS) facilities in Irvington, NJ. Surrounded by a village of supporters, Executive Director Karimah A. Hagans, Esq., marked the occasion with a ceremonial ribbon cutting at the entrance of the newly expanded space. It is designed to enhance and grow TPCS’ vital services for mother-led families experiencing homelessness.
Founded by Reverend Christine L. McCloud in 2002, TPCS empowers women and their families on their journey to self-sufficiency. In doing so, they aim to be a community which helps break the cycles of violence, substance abuse, poverty, and incarceration that often lead to homelessness. Located on the corner of Grove Street and Clinton Avenue, TPCS’ new facility is deeply rooted in the City of Irvington, just beyond the upper boundary of Newark’s South Ward. Its newly renovated facility includes a commercial kitchen, food pantry, community social area, and workshop rooms – all intentionally constructed to provide comprehensive wrap-around services to those they serve.
At a time when policy and funding landscapes seem to be shifting by the minute, TPCS remains true to its values. Through its Emergency Housing Program, TPCS continues to provide temporary housing to women and their children as it has for over 20 years. They provide a destigmatized environment where women and their families can be whole. This helps ensure each family has an independent, private living space while accessing living rooms, kitchens, computer/privacy rooms, and an on-site laundry room. TPCS offers a range of resources and services – such as housing navigation, case management, and financial assistance – all to empower their clients with a robust foundation for achieving permanent housing stability.
The renovation of TPCS’ newly expanded space is an outward demonstration of the organization’s deeply personal commitment to helping women and their families overcome the obstacles of homelessness and abuse. The spaces stand as a symbol of TPCS’ pledge to create a community where every family has the resources and resilience to thrive – a vision captured by Director Hagans – who noted:
“This new space is more than bricks and mortar. It’s a promise to the families we serve that they deserve dignity, opportunity, and a path forward. We’re now able to meet our clients where they are with the tools, education, and support they need to build independent, stable futures.”
Schumann Fund began its support of TPCS in March 2024 with a $25,000 grant for TPCS’ FirstStep Permanent Housing Program. It bridges the gap for unhoused families by providing stable housing and personalized support services. The initiative empowers them to rebuild their lives, achieve self-sufficiency, and create a brighter future. The work aligns closely with Schumann Fund’s program prioritizing affordable homes and healthy communities and complements our strategy to invest in organizations that provide direct services in Essex County.
Most recently, on January 16, 2026, Schumann Fund Executive Director Lucy Vandenberg joined Director Karimah Hagans on a panel hosted by the Newark Regional Business Partnership titled Synergy in Action: The Future of Strategic Partnerships. In this discussion, Lucy and Karimah highlighted the strong and collaborative relationship between their organizations. We stand proudly alongside TPCS in supporting their essential work in the community.
