It takes a village to move survivors of domestic violence and their children beyond abuse. Here is Women Aware’s Top 10 List for 2022!

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Giving Back

By TAPINTO NEW BRUNSWICK

Published December 26, 2022 at 1:42 AM

Last Updated December 26, 2022 at 8:35 AM

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ – Women Aware, a city-based, state-designated lead domestic violence agency for Middlesex County that has been saving lives for 40 years, has received a $20,000 grant from the Mary Kay Ash Foundation.

The grant from the foundation, which supports the ending of domestic violence and other issues impacting women, comes at a crucial time.

According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence, more than 72,000 adult and child victims receive domestic violence services across the United States in just one day. Unfortunately, in the same period of time, more than 11,000 requests for services are unmet due to a lack of resources.

In 2022, Women Aware is on track to serve the most clients in agency history.

Women Aware focuses on practical skills while offering intensive case management, including safety planning, counseling, housing assistance, life skills, parenting education, creative arts therapy for children, advocacy, health education and screening and translation services. All services are free and confidential.

Women Aware also offers an array of services that include a 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, support groups, children’s trauma therapy programs, legal advocacy, and supportive housing.

Each year, Women Aware moves approximately 2,000 survivors beyond abuse.

“We are deeply grateful for the Mary Kay Ash Foundation’s generous support for survivors of domestic violence in Middlesex County,” stated Women Aware CEO Phyllis Yonta. “The Foundation’s partnership makes it possible for our advocates to provide safe shelter for survivors and their children, and support them with the services and resources necessary to build independent lives free of abuse.”

This year, more than 147,000 women and their families will receive domestic violence support services through the 50 agencies awarded grants by the Mary Kay Ash Foundation.

The Foundation is committed to funding the life-saving work of women’s shelters, and the annual shelter grant program has helped critical financial needs including emergency shelter, transitional housing, counseling and legal aid. All of these resources support women and children as they seek refuge and relief on their journey to an abuse-free life.

This year, more than 1,100 organizations applied for the Mary Kay Ash Foundation shelter grants.

“At Mary Kay, we believe in helping women improve their circumstances and live their best lives,” said Foundation Board of Directors Michael Lunceford. “One in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime and it is our responsibility to support the women’s shelters that aid these survivors. At the heart of the Foundation’s work is the shelter grant program which is actively supported by our Independent Beauty Consultants. We’re proud that our commitment makes such a powerful impact in local communities and in the lives of domestic violence survivors across the country.”

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, call Women Aware’s free 24/7 hotline at 732-249-4504 or toll-free at 833-249-4504.

CARING COMMUNITIES

Needy Cases 2022: Women Aware coordinates efforts to combat domestic violence

Cheryl Makin

MyCentralJersey.com

Closing doors is never an option for Women Aware.

Throughout the pandemic, the nearly 50-year-old nonprofit organization remained open − and saw its numbers rise to record amounts.

“Survivors of domestic violence count on us to be here,” said Phyllis Yonta, Women Aware’s CEO. “Women Aware’s greatest challenge continues to be answering survivors’ needs for shelter, safety planning and comprehensive services in the wake of the COVID-19 public health crisis. It is a testament to our dedicated professional staff that our 24/7 hotline and emergency shelter remained open through the pandemic.”

Women Aware has been a guiding light for those suffering from domestic abuse. The state-designated lead domestic violence agency for Middlesex County, Women Aware moves approximately 2,000 survivors beyond abuse each year, said Susan M. Dyckman, development director.

Despite the challenges, Women Aware has continued to operate the only 24-hour domestic violence emergency shelter in the second most populous county in the state.

“Our trained, trauma-informed professional staff are experts when it comes to serving survivors, but it takes an entire community to save lives,” Dyckman said.

Founded in the 1970s, Women Aware started by providing shelter services to women seeking safety from domestic violence. When the organization became incorporated in 1981, the nonprofit began offering additional services. Today, the organization offers shelter along with legal advocacy, counseling, community outreach, supportive housing, liaisons in child protective services, community education and a creative art therapy program for children.

In 2021, the organization served 2,195 survivors of domestic violence, including 176 children. Women Aware sheltered 250 women and children, which was 35% more than in 2020 – the most in the history of the agency. The organization provided 11,440 bed nights − 49% more than in 2020 − and answered 7,278 hotline calls, a 14% rise from 2020.

Last year, Women Aware expanded shelter capacity through a hotel placement program to accommodate victims’ need for emergency shelter, spoke with callers in 10 different languages, provided legal advocacy for 1,137 clients − up 38% from 2020 − and increased individual, group and family therapy sessions by 23% in the Peace: A Learned Solution (PALS) program.

Women Aware also hosted and participated in court intervention, accompaniment and preparation sessions as well as case management, legal clinics and workshops.

Women Aware is on pace to exceed these numbers in 2022, Dyckman said.

A major project in the next year is the Middlesex County Family Justice Center (FJC). As the lead agency for this ground-breaking initiative, Women Aware will be laying the foundation for a coordinated community response to domestic violence and sexual assault.

The goal of the FJC is to reduce domestic violence homicides and increase the safety and confidentiality of domestic violence survivors and their children in collaboration with co-located victim services agencies. The FJC will help survivors and their families get the resources and support they need at one location.

“Working collaboratively, in one space, under the umbrella of the Family Justice Center, our purpose is to radically improve family safety as well as offender accountability,” Yonta said.

Last year, Women Aware was awarded a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice Office for Violence Against Women. This helped to provide funding for the FJC, Dyckman said

This effort is partnership with the Middlesex County Office of Human Services, Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, Middlesex County Center for Empowerment, Central Jersey Legal Services, Jewish Family Services, American Friends Service Committee, Middlesex County Board of Social Services, New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency, Coming Home of Middlesex County, Manavi, Town Clock Community Development Corporation, A Partnership for Change and Dress for Success Central Jersey.

The FJC is open for walk-ins from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 100 Bayard St. (fourth floor) in New Brunswick.

Dyckman said Women Aware relies on community support to fund and fulfill its mission to provide free and confidential services to survivors moving beyond abuse.

“We are grateful to the individuals, community organizations, businesses, foundations, government funders and service providers who support our mission to promote the safety and self-sufficiency of individuals and families affected by domestic violence in Middlesex County,” Dyckman said. “Individual financial donations are used where most needed and are always welcome.”

The Woman Aware annual holiday gift program will be comprised of gift cards only. Gift cards give victims of domestic violence some financial independence, helping them purchase what they need for themselves and their children, Dyckman said.

Suggested gift cards include Visa, Mastercard, Uber, Target, Walmart, CVS, Walgreen’s, ShopRite, Stop & Shop, Amazon and gas cards. Gift cards can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday at 250 Livingston Ave. in New Brunswick. You can call 732-249-4900 ext. 0428 before stopping by or with any questions. Gift cards also can be mailed to Women Aware at 250 Livingston Ave. New Brunswick, NJ 08901.

For more information about Women Aware go to womenaware.net or call the free 24-hour hotline at 732-249-4504 or toll-free at 833-249-4504. If it is too dangerous for a victim to reach out directly, a trusted family member or friend can call the hotline. The statewide hotline also is available at 800-572-SAFE (7233).

Looking for a community service project that really makes a difference? Consider hosting a gift card collection drive within your family, among your friends, or at your office. Women Aware is collecting gift cards to provide survivors of domestic violence with the resources to buy what they need and want for themselves and their children.

The most helpful cards are: VISA • MASTERCARD • UBER • TARGET • WALMART • CVS • WALGREEN’S • SHOPRITE • STOP&SHOP • AMAZON • GAS CARDS

You can mail gift cards to Women Aware, 250 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901.

You can drop off gift cards to Women Aware at the same address, Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm. Please call 732.249.4900 x0428 before stopping by.

The deadline for donations is Friday, November 11. Thank you!

The South Brunswick Commission on Women presents its Annual Domestic Violence Awareness Walk.

Sunday, October 16, 2022, 2:00-4:00pm, Greenbrook Elementary School, 23 Roberts Street, Kendall Park

To register, visit bit.ly/SBCWDVAWalk2022

All are welcome!

Women Aware invites the Middlesex County community to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month by participating in the Moving Beyond Abuse 5K on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at Johnson Park-Grove 4, Piscataway. This is a USATF-Certified 5K flat course.

All event proceeds will support free and confidential services for survivors of domestic violence and their children in Middlesex County.

Details:

• Day-of registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Race time is 10:00 a.m.
• Save $10 and register in advance for $35. In-person race day registration is $45.
• Children age 11 and under are free.
• The event will take place rain or shine.
• First 100 registrants will receive a Swag Bag with giveaways.
• All registrants will receive a Moving Beyond Abuse 5K t-shirt.
• Live music from Goldenseal the band
• Tasty treats from Fritz’s-New Brunswick
• Children’s activities

For more information and to register to run or walk, visit   https://runsignup.com/Race/NJ/Piscataway/MovingBeyondAbuse

Run, walk, or simply turn out and be part of the village it takes to moves survivors of domestic violence beyond abuse in Middlesex County.

Thank you, Sponsors  

Enbridge • Kaplan Companies • Independence Wealth Partners • Bob’s Discount Furniture Charitable Foundation • Olympus Construction • Hoagland, Longo, Moran, Dunst & Doukas • Monmouth Mobile Homes Park • Stark & Stark • Fresh Ponds Farm • L’Oreal USA-Franklin • Universal Windows Direct • ESW Beauty • Wawa • Charlotte and Joe Camarota • Investors Bank • The Bank of Princeton • PKF O’Connor Davies • Edward Leske Company • Schechner Lifson Corporation • Martin Insurance Group • Red Bank Pension • Diane Palmer • Olmec • Matthew Flannery • Riot & Rebel