24-Hr Hotline 732-249-4504 | We welcome relay calls Women Aware
| Hablamos Español

Women Aware

2024 Middlesex County Domestic Violence Conference

Learning and Networking to Better Serve Victim-Survivors

The October 24-25, 2024 Middlesex County Domestic Violence Conference hosted by Women Aware and the Middlesex County Family Justice Center brought together 150 victim service providers, professionals, advocates, survivors and other allies for two days packed with inspiration, education and networking opportunities. Here are a few comments from attendees:

  • It was truly a powerful insightful conference all around.
  • The personal stories shared by presenters, while difficult, made them more credible. The stories bring it home. The audience needs to feel/understand the pain that survivors go through in addition to the mindset behind the choices and complexity of these relationships.
  • I thoroughly enjoyed it and would love to attend future conferences. In my line of work, we deal with victims of DV and I found the information provided to be very impactful and educational.
  • Very informative from a law enforcement perspective, good to know where we can direct people in need of support.

Women Aware and the Family Justice Center extend a big thank you to all attendees, speakers and presenters, and to the sponsors who made the day possible! For a complete overview of the conference agenda, presenters and sponsors, click here.

Enjoy the photos!

Women Aware Staff Say Hello in New Video

Language should never be a barrier for a victim-survivor seeking assistance.

Hello and welcome from Women Aware’s multilingual staff! Hear about the free and confidential services available to victim-survivors of domestic violence in Middlesex County and how to access them. Click here!

If you or someone you care about is experiencing domestic violence, contact Women Aware’s 24/7 hotline to speak with an advocate – 833-249-4504.

Moving Beyond Abuse 5K & Charity Walk – October 5, 2024

Sunny skies, great music and enthusiastic support contribute to a successful event

It was a beautiful day at Johnson Park, Piscataway as runners, walkers, sponsors, volunteers and supporters turned out strong to support victim-survivors of domestic violence and their families at Women Aware’s Moving Beyond Abuse 5K & Charity Walk. “You are saving lives,” said Women Aware CEO Phyllis Yonta.

Nearly 180 individuals registered for the annual event, which raises funds for free and confidential services for victim-survivors of domestic violence in Middlesex County. As the state-designated lead domestic violence agency for Middlesex County, Women Aware serves 3,000 women, men and children every year, offering safety planning, emergency shelter, legal advocacy, support groups, children’s programs and connection with community resources.

Adding to event fun was music from Goldenseal the Band, a runner warm-up with WorkHard Fitness, East Brunswick and pre and post-race massages from Rebalance Massage Clinic, East Brunswick.

Thank you to everyone who supported this very special event!

Thank you, sponsors!

Thirty-four organizations and individuals contributed financially or in-kind to the Moving Beyond Abuse 5K & Charity Walk. We are grateful for their generous support.

Finish Line Sponsor – Enbridge

Awards Sponsor – Kaplan Companies, Trackmind Solutions, Bob’s Discount Furniture Charitable Foundation, Plaza Grande Womens Clubs, Highbar Boutique

Race Day Sponsor – Torcon, Independence Wealth Partners, Pizza City, Stark & Stark, Bell & Stockton, L’Oréal Operations, ESW Beauty

Neighbor Sponsor – Schechner Lifson, Charlotte and Joe Camarota, Edward Leske, Fresh Ponds Farm, Wegmans, NFP, Nail City, Frank Startari, Brunswick Tire & Auto, Wawa, The Bank of Princeton

Friend Sponsor – PKF O’Connor Davies, Northeastern Benefit Services, Matthew Flannery, Olmec, Diane and Glenn Palmer, Universal Windows, Philly and Vinny Yonta, Citizens, WorkHard Fitness, Rebalance Massage, Trader Joe’s

Professional Development at 2024 National Conference on Domestic Violence

At the 2024 National Conference on Domestic Violence in Chicago, Women Aware spoke with Rosie Hidalgo, Director of the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) in the U.S. Department of Justice. OVW awarded Women Aware an unprecedented $1 million grant through its 2021 Improving Criminal Justice Responses to Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Grant Program. The grant provides funding for the Middlesex County Family Justice Center (FJC). Pictured l to r: Middlesex County FJC Director Mildred Torres, OVW Director Rosie Hidalgo, Women Aware COO Maria Betanzos and Women Aware Director of Client Services Maliha Janjua.

5K & Charity Walk Supports Free Services for Survivors of Domestic Violence

Moving Beyond Abuse 5K & Charity Walk - Saturday, October 5

Recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Women Aware Hosts USATF-Certified Moving Beyond Abuse 5K October 5, 2024 – Johnson Park

New Brunswick, NJ (August 12, 2024) – Women Aware invites the Middlesex County community to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month by participating in the Moving Beyond Abuse 5K on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at Johnson Park-Grove 4, Piscataway. This is a USATF-Certified 5K flat course.

All event proceeds 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. 1-mile Charity Walk begins 9:30 a.m. Race time is 10:00 a.m.
  • Save $10 and register in advance for $35. 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.
  • Goldenseal the Band will be performing LIVE! https://www.facebook.com/p/Goldenseal-100063713694461/
  • Hearts of Hope display featuring messages from survivors and staff.

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

“Giving hope and help to victim-survivors of domestic violence and their children is the work of our entire community,” said CEO Phyllis Yonta. “We are grateful to all sponsors, partners, runners and walkers for supporting our clients with their time and treasure. Working together, we will move survivors beyond abuse to a brighter, self-sufficient future.”

The need for Women Aware’s 24-hour multilingual hotline, emergency shelter, legal advocacy, children’s trauma reduction therapy, support groups, and community outreach continues to increase. Women Aware served 2,993 individuals in 2023, including 206 children. This is double the number of victim-survivors served just five years ago.

Thank you, Sponsors (to date)

Finish Line – Enbridge

Awards – Kaplan Companies, Trackmind, Bob’s Discount Furniture Charitable Foundation

Race Day – Torcon, Independence Wealth Partners

Neighbor – Charlotte & Joe Camarota, Edward Leske, Schechner Lifson Corporation, Frank Startari

Friend – Northeast Benefits, PKF O’Connor Davies, Matthew Flannery, Olmec Systems

Sponsorships Available

Women Aware’s 5K offers businesses and individuals an opportunity to promote their brand and commitment to a safer, healthier community while investing in crisis intervention and long-term comprehensive services that provide social, emotional and financial support for survivors and families. For more information about sponsorship benefits, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/Sponsors/NJ/Piscataway/MovingBeyondAbuse or contact Susan Dyckman at sdyckman@womenaware.net or 732.249.4900, ext. 0428.

Save the Date – Who do you run/walk for?

Moving Beyond Abuse 5K & Charity Walk - October 5, 2024

Women Aware will host our 2024 Moving Beyond Abuse 5K & Charity Walk on Saturday, October 5.

This special day offers an opportunity for our community to come together during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Side by side, we will honor survivors, remember victims whose lives were taken, and celebrate our shared commitment to building a society where adults and children can live free from violence and injustice. Join us this day and know you are contributing to a brighter and more hopeful tomorrow for victim-survivors.

All proceeds support free and confidential services for victim-survivors of domestic violence and their children in Middlesex County, NJ.

Come on your own or form a team with family, friends and colleagues. We can’t wait to run/walk with you!

Saturday, October 5, 2024

Johnson Park-Grove 4, River Road, Piscataway, NJ

Registration: 8:30am

Walkers start: 9:30am

Race begins: 10:00am

Highlights

Advance registration – $35 to run or walk

Day-of registration – $45 to run or walk

Children 11 and under run/walk for free.

Goldenseal the Band will perform LIVE at Johnson Park!

Children’s activities will be provided.

For information and to register, visit: https://runscore.runsignup.com/Race/NJ/Piscataway/MovingBeyondAbuse

Sponsors welcome!

For more information, contact Susan Dyckman in the Development Office at development@womenaware.net or call 732-258-0428.

Board of Trustees Welcomes New Member

Sid Shah Named to Board of Trustees

Women Aware recently announced the appointment of Sid Shah to its Board of Trustees.

Mr. Shah is the co-founder of Trackmind Solutions, a successful software development and design firm that got its start in New Brunswick, NJ. A Rutgers Engineering graduate, he believes strongly in the importance of education and lifelong learning, values that resonate deeply within his family. Mr. Shah advocates for learning opportunities for individuals of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. He feels that education allows for social mobility, personal development and ultimately, societal improvement.

Mr. Shah and his wife, Sonali, both Rutgers alumni, are committed supporters of Women Aware. They believe in the organization’s mission to help women and families in need.

“We are excited to welcome Sid to the Board of Trustees,” said Board President Diane Palmer. “In the months since Sid first connected with Women Aware at our annual 5K as a corporate sponsor and runner recruiter, he and Sonali have demonstrated their commitment to expand Women Aware’s connections in the community and engage like-minded partners in supporting individuals moving beyond abuse.”

“I joined Women Aware because I understand how deeply trauma can affect not only individuals, but entire generations,” said Mr. Shah. “I believe strongly in the importance of giving women a supportive, healing environment to reduce the long-lasting impacts of trauma. By focusing efforts on recovery and resilience, we can create a safe, nurturing environment that helps combat the effects of domestic abuse and violence.”

Middlesex County Family Justice Center Named Outstanding Community Organization

Women Aware Accepts Award on Behalf of FJC Partners

The Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce recently named the Middlesex County Family Justice Center (FJC) Outstanding Community Organization at the Chamber’s annual Community Leaders of Distinction Awards.

The goal of the FJC is to establish a one-stop center where survivors can access services from multiple providers and tell their story once, reducing the risk of re-traumatization. Sixteen partners strong, and led by Women Aware, the FJC is facilitating more direct access to law enforcement, legal, immigration, housing, healthcare, social and human services for survivors and their children. Bringing multidisciplinary and multilingual services providers under one roof, the FJC model is identified as a best practice in the field of domestic violence intervention and prevention services. The Center is located at 100 Bayard Street, 4th Floor, New Brunswick, NJ. It is the first FJC in Middlesex County and the fourth in New Jersey.

FJC partners include Middlesex County (the Middlesex County Office of Human Services, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, Middlesex County Center for Empowerment, and REPLENISH), Central Jersey Legal Services, Jewish Family Services, Partners, American Friends Service Committee, Middlesex County Board of Social Services, NJ DCF Division of Child Protection and Permanency, Coming Home of Middlesex County, Manavi, Town Clock Community Development Corporation, and A Partnership for Change. Since the original MoU was signed, the FJC welcomed Dress for Success Central New Jersey, and the Middlesex County Family Court.

“It is our honor to accept this award on behalf of all our partners in the FJC,” said Women Aware CEO Phyllis Yonta. “A strong coordinated community response to domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking would not be possible without the leadership of Middlesex County and the dedicated commitment of our partners to this life-saving work.”

For information about Middlesex County Family Justice Center, visit http://middlesexcountyfjc.org.

Pictured are Women Aware Board Vice President Siyan Bradley, FJC Director Mildred Torres, Women Aware Board President Diane Palmer, Women Aware CEO Phyllis Yonta, Women Aware COO Maria Betanzos and Dress for Success Central New Jersey Program & Community Engagement Manager Nancy Musco.

Honoring Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month

Hearts of Hope

Women Aware invites you to enjoy “Hearts of Hope,” a video project created by our PALS (Peace: A Learned Solution) staff, and inspired by survivors and advocates, in honor of Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month.

Original song written and performed by: Susanne McMahon and Lornaa Morales

Artwork developed by: Hayley Stricker

Video directed and edited by: Pearl McGee

Copyright © 2024 All rights reserved.