Founded in 1998 in Somerville, New Jersey, The Center for Great Expectations (CGE) originally operated from a modest two-bedroom house donated by the Immaculate Conception parish, catering annually to 12 expectant mothers. Over a decade in this initial setting honed CGE’s expertise in delivering dignified, compassionate support to a vulnerable demographic of individuals. By 2008, recognizing the need for expanded services, CGE successfully fundraised $4.2 million to establish two specialized residential facilities in Somerset for adults and their children requiring long-term mental health and substance use treatments, and for adolescents with mental health issues who are pregnant or parenting—the latter being the state’s sole residential program of its kind. CGE’s growth from 2008 to 2018 was marked by significant expansions in service offerings and capacity, evolving to meet the diverse needs of over 1000 women, men, and children annually. This expansion included the inauguration of Katy’s Place (a Child Development Center), Roots to Recovery (an outpatient program in North Brunswick for treating substance use, co-occurring, and primary mental health disorders), a Permanent Supportive Housing program offering 28 units for at-risk families, and START, a program offering free telehealth and home visitation and doula support services for those in recovery. Throughout its evolution, CGE has maintained its foundational commitment to breaking the cycle of abuse, homelessness, and substance use by providing comprehensive, dignified care to the economically marginalized, homeless, and those dealing with mental health or substance use disorders, pregnant or parenting. Slide to explore our landmark years Within the modest walls of this home, an environment filled with love, support, and compassion was cultivated—a stark contrast to what many of these women had previously known. Recognizing the limitations of our initial setting, we were inspired to develop a more expansive and holistic treatment program. This evolution was driven by our belief in the profound potential of our residents, transcending the constraints of our small house to offer a beacon of hope and renewal. Our fundraising initiatives facilitated the establishment of two distinct facilities: one dedicated to supporting adult women and their children through substance use disorder treatment, and another offering specialized residential services for adolescents dealing with mental health challenges, who are either pregnant or parenting. We distinguish ourselves on a national level by prioritizing the togetherness of mothers and their children during the recovery journey, a vital service that aligns us with an exclusive 2% of programs nationwide. This commitment underscores our belief in the critical role of early relational health between mother and child as a cornerstone of the healing process. CGE is deeply committed to safety, combating homelessness, and improving living conditions. We launched Katy’s Place for secure childcare during maternal recovery and initiated a Permanent Supportive Housing program for stable living. Our Roots to Recovery program offers ongoing outpatient treatment and support, while the START program delivers in-home counseling and telehealth to pregnant and postpartum women, ensuring they receive the comprehensive care they need in the safest environment possible. Through these efforts, CGE aims to provide a solid foundation of support and stability for our community’s most vulnerable individuals. Today CGE offers a sanctuary, supportive presence, and a secure journey to more than 1,000 women, children, and men. Throughout our ongoing evolution, our unwavering dedication to delivering trauma-informed care aims to disrupt the generational cycle of trauma, substance use disorder, and homelessness. Provides opportunities to build resilience from gestation through age five by building a secure attachment between parent and child. CGE collaborates with Rutgers School of Social Work to consistently collect and analyze client treatment data to ensure the best possible outcomes. CGE The culture at CGE embraces the inherent worth of all. A feeling of belonging is crucial for a sense of physical and psychological safety. C.A.R.E. CGE’s healing-centered treatment model offers evidence-informed modalities that are responsive to the uniqueness of each community we serve. Services provided by a multidisciplinary team honor differences in the way that clients prefer to receive care. C.A.R.E. Our approach disrupts the cycle of intergenerational trauma by nurturing the parent-child relationship, and fostering healthier interactions that enable clients to build more positive connections with their children. Central to this, our Early Relational Health model positions this bond as key to overall well-being. C.A.R.E. Empowerment is viewed as power with as opposed to power over. This approach to care is carried out in all of our practices. Shared power celebrates one’s voice in defining an individualized path toward wellness. To give voice to matters that reflect one’s truth is perhaps the most respectful thing we can do for another human. Take a more in-depth look at our impact in 2023 with our 2023 Impact Report.
CGE History
Continuum of Care
Timeline
Short story on who the Center for Great Expectations is and what we support.
Trauma Informed Care — A Relational Recovery Model
Early Relational Health Model
Measurement-Based Care
Culture
Safety & Growth
Dignity, Equity & Belonging
Cultural Humility
Nurturance
Approach
Healing-Centered
Evidence-Informed
Community-Based
Systems-Focused
Relationship
Parent Child
Staff Client
Staff Staff
Community Organization
Empowerment
Choice & Voice
Measurement-Informed Care
Collaboration
CGE
Leadership Staff
CGE
Program Staff
A deep commitment to our community
Board of Trustees
Advisory Board
Trusted by our network
2023 Impact Report
