PEAPACK-GLADSTONE–On Wednesday May 16th, the Mayor of Gladstone joined councilpersons, woman’s club members, and various other community leaders to celebrate Patricia Whitehouse at the annual dinner of the Peapack-Gladstone Woman’s Club held at Il Monello.

Women Aware’s Executive Director Phyllis Adams commended Patty’s service to the community and noted, “Patty’s commitment and dedication is evident to all.”

Patty has been involved with Women Aware since 2010. Currently, she is an active member of the Women Aware, Inc. Board of Directors, serving as its Board Secretary. Patty, a retired Chubb and Son Vice President, is also a certified executive and life coach. Patty has been a community service volunteer for many years. Currently, Patty is the President of the Peapack-Gladstone Woman’s Club, Treasurer of the Highlands District Past Presidents Club and Treasurer of the GFWC/NJSFWC Past State Presidents Club. She served on the General Federation of Women’s Clubs’ (GFWC) Board of Directors as its Communications and Public Relations Committee Chairman (2012-2014) and in her role as the President of the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs of GFWC (2010-2012). In 2012, Patty was named a Garden State Woman of the Year for Women’s Initiatives in the non-profit arena and received the GFWC Charlotte Emerson Brown Award for Excellence in State Leadership. Patty and Bill, a retired executive from Kraft/Nabisco Foods, have been happily married for almost 48 years.

The Bag Project, a nonprofit dedicated to providing every child in crisis with necessities and comfort items, donated nearly 100 bags to children at our shelter. These bags contain everything from toiletries and blankets to stuffed animals and children’s books. Thanks to The Bag Project, children in our shelter have a more tools to build comfort and security. Are you interested in giving to survivors of domestic violence and their children? Visit our Donate Page.

NEW BRUNSWICK—Women Aware would like to thank Johnson & Johnson for their continued support and generosity. Last week, representatives of the Fortune 500 Company stopped by our office to donate toys, toiletries, and women’s clothing for our shelter residents. In addition to this, we were also provided with birthday boxes to give every child at our shelter.

Want to know how you can support Women Aware? Visit our Get Involved Page.

WOODBRIDGE—This year, The MAX Challenge of Woodbridge selected Women Aware as the beneficiary for their annual Max Day of Giving. The MAX Challenge partnered with International Marital Arts and Damsel in Defense to host a Self-Defense class. All fundraising proceeds will directly support Women Aware. Are you interested in hosting a day for Women Aware? Visit our Get Involved page.

HIGHLAND PARK—On Sunday May 6th, Women Aware participated in Highland Park’s Annual “Spring Fling” Street Fair, hosted by Main Street Highland Park. Our Community Outreach Specialist, Krystal Alexander and Women Aware board member, Christine Clayton-Stroh reached out to visitors, providing information of our services and answering questions regarding domestic violence throughout the duration of the event.

Looking for more information on Women Aware’s services? Visit our Services page or call our hotline 732-249-4504.

NEW BRUNSWICK—On Saturday April 28th, Women Aware participated in the 2018 Rutgers Day, a statewide event celebrating the University.

Visitors to our table wrote positive messages of support forming a Community Mural for survivors. This type of activity is used in Women Aware’s creative art therapy program for child witnesses of domestic violence. The technique creates a sense of belonging and care for the more than 400 children moving beyond abuse at Women Aware annually.

At the close of Rutgers Day, our mural was filled with over 100 messages of support and care.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY—On Wednesday April 25^th Women Aware staff participated in Peace Over Violence’s #DenimDay in solidarity with survivors of sexual violence.

The annual Denim Day campaign “was originally triggered when a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans she must have helped her rapist remove her jeans, thereby implying consent. The following day, women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim.”

Since then, wearing jeans on Denim Day has become a symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault.

NEW BRUNSWICK—Chamonix Skin Care launched their “Give the Gift of Hope” program for Women Aware to benefit mothers at our shelter. We thank Chamonix for these “Gifts of Beauty,” all of which help women recover from domestic violence. Visit Chamonix online to learn more about purchasing Chamonix products to benefit Women Aware.

Interesting in taking a tour of Women Aware? Contact Katie Orlemanski at korlemanski@womenaware.net or visit our Donate Page to make a contribution.