At Trenton Circus Squad, every leap, juggle, and spin tell a story of growth, community, and endless possibilities. This year’s annual report highlights one of the most integral and foundational aspects of our mission: our community engagement efforts, which include the free workshops that inspire, empower, and bring joy to individuals across New Jersey and beyond.
Community engagement is more than just outreach—it’s the heartbeat of our program. Through our workshops and various community initiatives, we turn curiosity into passion and transform passion into pathways for personal and communal growth. For many, the journey with Trenton Circus Squad begins in one of these workshops. What starts as a tentative exploration often blossoms into a journey, with some participants climbing the ranks from eager learners to skilled squad members and, eventually, dedicated coaches who now lead the very programs that once ignited their own dreams.
Our community engagement initiatives serve as a living example of how we are “building a bigger tent” within our community—one that not only teaches circus skills but also fosters confidence, creativity, and a deep sense of belonging. Whether we are performing for children in hospitals, engaging seniors in retirement communities, or bringing smiles to local schools and celebrations, our impact is felt far and wide.
This report delves into the stories behind our community engagement efforts, the lives they’ve touched, and the broader impact they’ve had on our partners, squad members, and the countless individuals who have experienced the magic of Trenton Circus Squad. We invite you to journey with us through these pages, to see how every workshop, every interaction, and every performance contributes to building a more inclusive, vibrant, and connected community.
As you read, we hope you’ll be inspired by the incredible work we’ve accomplished together—and encouraged to support us in continuing this vital mission. Because at Trenton Circus Squad, the tent may be growing, but there’s always room for more to join in the magic.
Let’s build this bigger tent together.
Building a bigger tent
The Power of Community Engagement
Photo credit: Steve Sarafian
Photo credit: Steve Sarafian
As the new chair of the board, I’m thrilled to reflect on another incredible year for Trenton Circus Squad and to share our gratitude with all of you who make our work possible. Trenton Circus Squad is a unique organization—the only social circus in New Jersey—and it uses the power of circus arts to help young people from Trenton and beyond develop skills that go far beyond the ring. Through workshops, training, and performances, youth build confidence, self-management, and social skills, all while creating connections with others from diverse backgrounds.
Our headquarters, "the Factory," is right here in Trenton, where most of our programs are based. But the Trenton Circus Squad also performs and collaborates with schools and community organizations around the region, providing young people with a chance to develop essential life skills in a supportive and fun environment. Half of our young performers come from Trenton, and half from nearby areas, all working together, shoulder to shoulder. And thanks to your support, these programs are free to every participant, ensuring access for any young person who wants to join.
This past year, we’ve been inspired by the commitment of our youth, who continue to grow and take on new challenges. We’re also proud of our team’s dedication to providing top-quality training for staff and volunteers so that our programs truly nurture the social and emotional development that sets Trenton Circus Squad apart. As we look toward celebrating our tenth anniversary next year, we’re excited about what lies ahead—from the expansion of our Big Top Tour to new initiatives to support more young people and communities across New Jersey.
Thank you for standing with us. Your support has helped build this remarkable community, and together, we can dream even bigger for the future.
With joyful gratitude,
Elizabeth Borland, Ph.D.
Board Chair
Video credit: Steve Sarafian
Board of Trustees
Elizabeth Borland, Chair
Kimberly de los Santos, Secretary
Chris Wallace, Treasurer
Eric Geoffrey
Paul Jensen
Christina Jones
Mussa Sanoe
Ermine Smith
William Watson
Staff
Thomas von Oehsen, Executive Director
Regina Mundy, Director of Operations
Karen Ladd, Program Manager
Kordell Garland, Lead Coach
Andre Thomas, Life Skills Coach
Bilal Haley, Coach
Joy Johnson, Coach
Cam von Oehsen, Coach
Tyshaun Thomas, Coach
Drew, Squad Member
Circus is a place for exploration. Every day I come to train, I leave feeling more proud of my progress. Trenton Circus Squad gives me the joys of performing, and seeing the wonder that my skills can give to the community. I love seeing the pride in a workshop kid’s face when they have worked hard and achieved a new skill.
We all need more inspiration in our everyday lives, and circus arts can give that to people. I have learned to push myself, and that you can do anything with practice.
By the numbers
Participants and Audiences
Adam, Squad Member
Although many things in my life have changed, one thing has remained constant: Trenton Circus Squad. It has made my life better because it allows me to meet other people that I would have never met otherwise. It allows me to learn both circus and life skills, and I can pass on what I have learned to younger kids as well.
Photo credit: Steve Sarafian
Expenses
Income
Corporate and business contributions
39,976
Foundation & trusts
163,050
Gifts in kind
68,040
Individuals & major donors
200,068
Government grants & contributions
115,813
Program income
58,149
Concessions & apparel sales
18,266
Special events income
4,700
Special events contributions
10,048
Program services
491,338
Big Top Tour
143,191
Management & general
136,416
Fundraising
116,247
Special events expense
17,066
Ayla, Squad Member
Trenton Circus Squad has made a drastic change in my life. Being there over the years has given me a whole new family and an experience like no other. Trenton Circus Squad is more than just an organization, it is a home and it supports me and many others in our community!
Corporations, Foundations & Grants
Abrams Foundation
Amazon
Burlington Coat Factory
Byrd-Borland Foundation
Camden Community Partnership INC
Carter Rowe Foundation
CBIZ Borden Perlman
Church & Dwight
County of Mercer
CPWW LLC
Foundations Community Partnerships
James Kerney Foundation
Jay & Linda Grunin Foundation
Jingoli Competitive Edge
Mary C. Roebling Foundation, Inc.
Mary Owen Borden Foundation
Mercer County Division of Youth Services
New Jersey State Council on the Arts
NGW Foundation
NJEDA
PACF Arts and Culture Recovery Fund
PACF Community Impact
PACF Trenton Arts Fund
Philip S. Harper Foundation
The Burke Foundation
The George H. and Estelle M. Sands Foundation
Tractor Supply Company
Bilal Haley, Coach
Teaching in Asbury and Camden is such a different experience. It opens new ways to include other cities in the mission. The opportunities these kids get to experience with Trenton Circus Squad really changes lives and gives them hope to be seen and heard.
The friendships the kids make with one another while with us are bonds they will cherish forever, and that’s why I think outreach and overall connections are important.
Photo credit: Melissa Chinici
Partners
Arm in Arm
Artworks
ArtYard
Asbury Park Board of Education
Blanche Brann
Boys and Girls Club of Camden County
Boys and Girls Club of Mercer County
Boys and Girls Club of Monmouth County
Boys and Girls Club of Newark
Camden Community Partnership Inc.
Camden County
Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey
Christina Seix Academy
Circadium
Cirque du Soleil
City of Trenton
Crew That
CURE Arena
CYO Mercer County
Fennelli Design
Freedom Skate
greenworldx2
Grounds for Sculpture
Heart of Camden
Henry Austin Health Center
HomeFront
Inspire Life
Interfaith Neighbors, Asbury Park
Lawrence Hopewell Trail
Lewis Center for the Arts
McCarter Theater
Mercer County
Mercer County Community College
Mercer County One Stop Career Center
Mercer County Park Commission
Middlesex County
Nonprofit Connect
Pace Center for Civic Engagement
Philadelphia School of Circus Arts
Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart
Princeton Public Schools
Princeton University
Princeton YMCA
Princeton-Blairstown Center
Robert Perry Video Editing
Rutgers University Camden
Rutgers University Newark
Sacred Heart School, Camden
Snipes Farm and Education Center
Steve Sarafian
Taft Communications
The African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County
The City of Camden
The College of New Jersey
The Father Center
The Neighborhood Center in Camden
The Watershed Institute
Trenton Area Soup Kitchen
Trenton Health Team
Trenton Peer Leaders
Trenton Police Department
Trenton Public School District
UniverSoul Circus
Urban Promise
Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church
Cam von Oehsen, Coach
Being a part of the future of Trenton Circus Squad is something I take pride in. The outreach to Camden and Asbury Park has allowed me to grow as a coach, and as a leader. I’m grateful for this opportunity and humbled and honored to be coaching and mentoring the future leaders of Trenton Circus Squad.
Photo credit: Melissa Chinici
Donors
Adriana Abizadeh
Susan Albert
Kienna Childs Alexander
Joe Amon and Erin Galbraith
Joan Arkuszewski
Sanjeev Arora and Silvia Weyerbrock
Angela Ashley
Lynne Azarchi
Joy Barnes-Johnson
Samantha Bobila
Elizabeth Borland
Jon and Brogann Bowden
Teri Boyd
Blanche Brann
Jude Bratman
Zoe Brookes and Alastair Binnie
Warren Broudy
Bret Brown
Dave Brown
Elisabeth Calvarin
Los Campbell
Pam Carter
Gene Cascone
Ann Chapman
Chiurco Family
Scott Cleveland
Mary Clurman and Peter Lindenfeld
Sarah Collins
Donald Crocker
Alex Davis
Kimberly de los Santos
Greg Deatz
Robert Denby
Kathryn Doyle
Ka Yan Dreibelbis
Jonathan Erickson
Anthony Ferrandino
Dudley and Tanice Fitzpatrick
Mona Fixdal
Kevin Flanagan
Erin Flanigan
Jane Fremon
Ingrid French
Mark and Tasha Gajewski
Jimmy and Kyle Galbraith
Rose Galvan
Victoria Gammino
Kelvin S. Ganges
Jacob Gaudino
John Gaudino
Eric Geoffrey
Jed Gibson
Mary Ellen Granozio
James Groome
Jennifer Guy
Kate Harwood
Holly Haynes
Laurie Hebditch
William Henderson
Nancy Henkel
Victoria Hepp
Maricel Hermann
David and Kristina Hill
Robert and Barbara Hillier
Stephen Hirsh
Lauren Holm
Herve and Anne Hoppenot
Jamie Huang
Jennifer Jang
Kara Jonsson
Barbara Kaplan
Debbie Kaplan
Inci Karaasian
Irene Karpinski
Navodit Kaushik
Pamela Kelly
Shana Kennedy
Georgia Koenig
Betsy and Matthew Kohut
Emily Kotowski
Nicholas Kunchandy
Jim and Marjorie Laughlin
Yuki Laurenti
Luzia M. Lemos-Stein
Liz Lempert
Chanelle Lester
Paula Levinsky
Andrew Lichtstein
Jesse Lipson
Ronnie Lowenstein
Jenny Ludmer
Duncan and Nancy MacMillan
Eva Mantell
Andrew Maskell
Franklin Masters
Edward Matthews
Marna Matthews
Amy J. Mayer
Lisa Mazzone
Florence McAuliffe
Daniel Martin McGinnis
Robert McGreevey and Miriarn Shakov
Ayanna Mckay
Mark and Julie McLaughlin
Fran Mcmanus
Julie Meyers
Ruth Miale
June Millington
Dalainna Modica
Robert Monsour
Susan Moore
Christine Morano
Babette Morgan
Rosalind Muir
Thomas Nagorski
Ralph Neuneier
Veronique Oomen
Scot Pannepacker
Tari Pantaleo
John J. Park
Christina Morgan Peck
Stephanie and Vincent Peloso
Quincy Penn
Emilie Petrone
Alison Politziner
Joy Power
Ronnie Ragen
Nina Rappaport
Karina Raude
Joshua Raymond
Emily Reeves
Todd Reichart
Jack Richardson
Felicia Rinier
Heather Robbins
Yvette Rodriguez
Jamie Ng Rose
Andrew A. Ross
Julia Rubin
Allan and Donna Rubin
Bonnie Rucker
Michele J. Russo
Sarah Ryan
Domenic Sanginiti
Mussa Sanoe
Steve Sarafian
Mary Saudargas
Stacey Schlosser
Dodi Schmidt
Heidi Shafer
Michael Shapiro
Roger Shatzkin
Ermine Smith
David Smith
Tim Stauning
David Stengle and Karin Borchert
David Tarditi
Joseph and Alisa Tarditi
Joseph Tattoni
Taylor Houshold
Jacqueline Tillmann
Peter and Caroline Travers
Allison Trimarco
Lori and Tad Troilo
Nelida Valentin
Mary Vance
Fredrick Vereen Jr.
Robert and Kim Vogel, Jr.
Barr and Shari von Oehsen
Bill and Helen von Oehsen
Stewart and Dawn von Oehsen
Thomas and Jane von Oehsen
Chris Wallace
Jack and Happy Wallace
Heather Watson
Jay Watson
William A. Watson
Lisa Watson-Cotton
Bonnie Watson Coleman
Will Wauters
Isla Weber
Bethany Weise
David Whitlock
Elisabeth Whittaker
Wiser Family
Jerlene Worthy
Neil Wummer
Frank Yandrisevits
Clyde Yeldell
Dr. Joseph Youngblood II
Margot Zimmerman
Clifford Zink
Photo credit: Steve Sarafian
