The Renee J. Bradley Foundation for Domestic Violence 2nd Annual Scholarship Luncheon will take place on Sunday, April 7, 2019. The Scholarship Luncheon will be from 3-6pm and hosted at the Cathedral International Family Life Center Banquet Hall in Perth Amboy, NJ.

This year’s luncheon will be hosted by the Reverend Dr. Danielle L. Brown, Pastor of Church Life, Cathedral International. The keynote speaker will be Phyllis Adams, MA, MSW the Chief Executive Officer of Women Aware. Honored Guest will include Bishop Donald Hilliard Jr. Senior Pastor, Cathedral International, Reverend Dr. Deniece Reid, Campus Pastor, Cathedral International and Minister Carole Dortch-Wright the Communications Director of the Cathedral International.

This event is created to raise awareness to domestic violence and to award Perth Amboy, NJ High School Seniors attending a 4-year university Scholarship opportunities. The foundation successfully launched a year ago and strives to work with the local community leaders, churches and organizations to help bring an end to domestic violence. The foundation believes that strength, compassion, love and education are four major unlocking relationship-changing, life-saving keys.

*Proceeds will go towards the Renee J. Bradley Foundation Scholarship Fund; Ticket Donation will include lunch and raffle ticket entry for door prize.

The mission of the Renee J. Bradley Foundation is to teach, mentor and educate young adults in general and specifically youth adults of color about the importance of healthy relationships and the signs of domestic violence. Our vision is “To Stop Domestic Violence through Strength, Compassion, Love & Education.”

Foundation Goals:

• To mentor and coach young adults about the dynamics and realities of healthy relationships.

• To educate young adults about the unhealthy impact of many societal socialization norms regarding various gender roles and expectations.

• To educate young adults of color about the cultural dynamics and realities of domestic violence and healthy relationships.

• To increase prevention and awareness of domestic violence in the lives of youth adults through preventive education, seminars and resources.

• To help support children of domestic violence victims by establishing a scholarship fund.

• To provide a safe place for young adults to dialogue and receive trained peer or professional counseling for abuse/domestic violence.

Foundation Pillars:

• Prevention

• Education

• Awareness

• Solution

NEW BRUNSWICK–Paul Sansone Sr. of Sansone Automall presented a $6,250 check to Women Aware on behalf of the Sansone Foundation on Wednesday.

When asked about the role of philanthropy in his life, Mr. Sansone answered simply, “Giving back makes me feel good.”

Sansone Automall also runs a work-force reentry program, providing skills and employment opportunities to those in need under the leadership of Mr. Sansone.

While accepting the check, Women Aware Board President Diane Palmer expressed, “We are very grateful for Mr. Sansone’s continued generosity.” Mrs. Palmer began as a volunteer at Women Aware’s shelter over 25 years ago.

NEW BURNSWICK–Windows of Understanding, a public art project rooted in social justice, returns January 21-February 28 to more than 30 storefronts throughout New Brunswick and Highland Park. Artists paired with non-profit organizations interpret the question “How do we see through hate?” and transform local businesses into windows of understanding.

Mahsa Biglow, a master’s level student at the Rutgers Mason Gross School of Art, was matched with Women Aware. The artist created a “warm,” “glorious” and “epic” installation of femininity, strength, and safety through textiles (pictured).

Biglow writes: “This piece is dedicated to Women Aware, an organization that has served domestic violence survivors in Middlesex County, NJ since 1981. The open letter that accompanies this work speaks to the some of the origins of domestic violence identified by the artist: gender bias, patriarchy, and misogyny. I strongly believe a less gendered society would have fewer domestic violence cases, therefore, this letter is trying to bring a sexless, imaginary Utopia to the reader’s attention. Women Aware envisions a society where individuals can live free from violence and injustice and this artwork depicts an abstracted monument for that society. Using delicate fabrics and warm light as a metaphor for a safe house, shelter, home, or womb, this piece offers an invitation for the audience to celebrate the courage of domestic violence survivors while also demanding support for them by raising awareness about domestic violence and services for survivors.”

You can see Biglow’s installation and learn more about Women Aware’s mission at the American Hungarian Foundation (AHF)​, 300 Somerset Street New Brunswick, Tuesday-Friday 10-3 or Saturday 9:30-1 until February 28th.

To learn more, visit https://www.windowsofunderstanding.org/

NEW BRUNSWICK–Six-year-old Ariella Hopkins of Milltown had just graduated kindergarten in June 2015 when she passed away from a sudden illness. Since then, her parents, Bobby and Lisa, have worked tirelessly to keep her memory and smile alive.

Every year, the family holds a toy drive to benefit children in need. Women Aware was honored to have been chosen as a recipient this past year.

With the help of the Hopkins donation, Women Aware provided over 1,000 toys to 250 children in three days. On behalf of those we serve, thank you Hopkins family for making a difference to children in need through Ariella’s memory.

NEW BRUNSWICK–The state Department of Community Affairs has awarded Women Aware a $80,197 grant to support our emergency shelter. The grant will be used for renovations in a shelter that provides over 8,000 nights of refuge every year to survivors and their children seeking shelter from abuse.

To read more about the award, see the news article here, which is also quoted below:

“A separate $80,197 grant from Shelter Support was awarded through the state Department of Community Affairs to was awarded to Women Aware, the agency started in 1981 that provides assistance to women and families escaping from cases of domestic violence.

The money will be used for renovation work and the purchase of equipment and furnishings for the emergency shelter for women and there children in Middlesex County.

‘To win these grants is a true testament to the hard work of these volunteer groups and charities that provide shelter for the homeless,’ Karabinchak said. ‘Middlesex County is fortunate for the reliability and availability of these shelters that meet a critical need in our region,’ he said.”

NEW BRUNSWICK–On Thursday, Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office dropped off over 100 toys for children and their families at Women Aware. Prosecutor Carey and his team have long been strong allies in keeping survivors safe and protected in Middlesex County, NJ. Thank you for this generous donation during the holiday season.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY–On Tuesday November 20th Women Aware staff and clients came together for our annual day of thanks. Thank you Elcha’s Eats (elchaseats.com) for donating a fantastic Thanksgiving lunch (pictured).

“Today, we run for each other. We run to promote a safe and just society. We run to raise awareness and to protect those impacted by domestic violence.” -Phyllis Adams, Women Aware Chief Executive Officer speaking during the Moving Beyond Abuse 5K Race

PISCATAWAY–On November 11th, over 240 individuals came together in Johnson Park to raise awareness about domestic violence at Women Aware’s first annual Moving Beyond Abuse 5K Race & Charity Walk.

Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew Carey kicked off the event and spoke about the need for our communities to do more to end domestic violence in New Jersey.

Prior to the race start, Katie Mayfield, Director of Development & Outreach at Women Aware, introduced Tommy Coohill, the Commander of the East Brunswick V.F.W. who directed taps in honor of Veteran’s Day.

“It has been an incredible day celebrating survivors. I want to thank all of the survivors out here today. You are not alone. Today is proof of that,” said Mayfield, during the awards ceremony. Top runners and notable fundraisers were acknowledged with Women Aware medals.

Assemblywoman Linda Carter of district 22 presented Women Aware with a Proclamation, declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in honor of the event.

Also in attendance were Women Aware Board President Diane Palmer and fellow Board Members, Women Aware Chief Executive Officer Phyllis Adams and Chief Operating Officer Maria Betanzos, Assistant Prosecutor Christie Bevacqua, Diane Johnson of the Victim Witness Advocacy Unit, Linda Jay of the Middlesex County Board of Social Services, and many others.

PHOTO GALLERY

(Photography credit: Tatiana Rodriguez of Lifeshots Photography)