Welcome to the Center for Great Expectations, and thank you for your interest in our mission to help homeless pregnant adolescents, and adult women who are homeless, pregnant and in addiction recovery. This site was developed to answer questions about our mission and how we are meeting an urgent need for this underserved population in the state of New Jersey. On this site you will find ways in which you can become involved with the Center through volunteering, donating and supporting the exciting events held to raise funds to support the Center’s work. As you hear our story and discover the possibilities, we hope you will be moved to participate in a way that is meaningful to you.

The Center for Great Expectations
Located in Somerville, and Somerset New Jersey, the Center’s twin facilities in Somerset offer a home to pregnant, homeless, abused and/or addicted adolescents and adult women. Adolescents, who are referred to us from the Division of Youth and Family Services, reside in one building, and adult women in a twin building nearby. Forging a strong partnership with each residence, the women are encouraged and empowered to make positive personal change, prepare to be an excellent parent, and to create a loving family environment for her child. While in residence, each woman is educated in life-skills which prepare them to manage a budget, pursue career opportunities, and run a household efficiently.

After the Birth
Our mothers are now able to return to the Center following the birth of her baby to continue her 12-step recovery, life-skills education and to parent her child in a loving and professional environment. Child care for the infant, and other children up to the age of 5, is available so our residents can transition to education courses or meaningful employment as part of building toward the future.
Licensed by the state through the NJ Department of Human Services - Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS), the Center is a network provider for the Substance Abuse Initiative, part of the Department of Health and Human Services.

The Center for Great Expectations was founded in 1998. That first year, the Center assisted 22 women and 22 babies to find a safe passage into the world, but more importantly, through the education and life-skills learned during their stay, our graduates are equipped to continue to build a life for the future. During the first years, countless women were turned away because there just weren’t enough beds to allow the Center to bring them in. On average, the Center turned away over 150 adolescents and adult women each year due to lack of space. Thus, a dream was born. The Board of Directors, staff and volunteers dreamed of having a facility where three times the amount of women in need could be welcomed into the program. Through an arduous Capital Campaign where over $3,000,000 was raised, the dream began to take form and soon two beautiful buildings stood where nothing was before. Located on the McCarrick Care Center property in Somerset, the twin facilities offer a beautiful surrounding for the residents to begin their journey toward change and a new life.