PERTH AMBOY—On Sunday April 15th, Women Aware attended the launch of the Renee J. Bradley Foundation dedicated to preventing domestic violence through youth outreach and education. Renee was tragically murdered by her boyfriend in 2006, and the eponymous foundation was established by her son Siyan Bradley. Women Aware is proud to support the efforts of the Foundation as we work to move beyond abuse. To learn more, visit http://reneejbradleyfoundation.org.

Women Aware offers our deepest condolences to the community of Parkland, Florida, where 17 people died Wednesday in one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history.

54% of mass shootings in the U.S. are related to domestic violence, and the presence of a gun in cases of domestic violence increases the risk of homicide for women by 500%. Together with your support, Women Aware will continue supporting victims of violence, their families, and communities.

Paul Sansone Sr. of Sansone Automall presented a $10,000 check to Women Aware on Tuesday on behalf of the Sansone Foundation.

“All of my life, I have been working to make life easier and better for people,” says Mr. Sansone. “People know me for being in the car business, but in reality, I’m in the people business.”

After discussing the services that the funding will provide for victims of domestic violence, Women Aware’s Executive Director Phyllis Adams noted, “The world needs more men like Mr. Sansone.”

Pictured: Mr. Sansone Sr. and Women Aware Executive Director Phyllis Adams

Is your business interested in giving back? Contact Katie Orlemanski at korlemanski@womenaware.net or click here to make your donation online today.

NEW BRUNSWICK–Friends of Women Aware gathered to kick off our annual Holiday Gift Shop for families moving beyond abuse. The room was filled with toys donated by wonderful community members, and guests hung ornaments made by survivors and their children

Thank you Sheriff Mildred Scott from the Sheriff’s Office Middlesex County, Freeholder Kenneth Armwood, members of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, and many more of our Board, Donors, and Partners for your support.

For a full photo gallery click here.

Pictured: Freeholder Kenneth Armwood, a volunteer and supporter of Women Aware since 1995, hangs a client ornament

Everyone has the capacity to give. Join us today in celebrating #GivingTuesday.

Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season.

You can give your time, skills, voice, dollars, or goods to those affected by domestic violence. Here are several ways you can give:

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Donate $5, $10, or $100 to families in need

Donate items from our shelter’s Wish List

Start a fundraiser on Facebook to benefit Women Aware

Host a fundraiser with friends to benefit Women Aware

Thank you for supporting our work. Women Aware is proud to be a part of this global celebration of giving.

TRENTON–Governor-elect Philip D. Murphy announced on Friday memberships of the Transition 2018 committees, naming more than 500 individuals who are undertaking the policy analysis and recommendations on a host of state issues and initiatives as the new administration prepares to take office in two months.

Women Aware’s Executive Director, Phyllis Adams accepted an invitation to serve alongside many esteemed colleagues on the Human and Children’s Services Committee of Governor-elect Murphy’s Transition Team.

When nominated Phyllis Adams said, “I’m honored to serve on this committee as we collectively move families beyond abuse.” Tammy Snyder Murphy, wife of the Governor-elect, recently spoke at Women Aware’s candlelight vigil in October about the need to do more to address domestic violence in New Jersey.

Human and Children Services

Phyllis Adams, Women Aware, Inc.; Reverend Bryant Ali, New Psalmist Baptist Church; Megann Anderson, NJ Alliance for Children, Youth and Families; Paul Aronsohn, Former Mayor of Ridgewood; Hanifa Barnes, Philips Education Partners; Carolyn Beauchamp, NJ Mental Health Association; Tiffany Cardwell, Kiddie Corner Day Care Center; Rex Carney, Elwyn’s Institute; Mildred Crump, Newark City Council President; Shruti Devi, MANAVI; Reeva Foster, NJ Black Issues Convention; Elinor Goldberg, Access Communication Empowerment; Bob Guarasci, New Jersey Community Development Corporation; Xiomara Guevara, Morris County Organization for Hispanic Affairs; Patricia Hart, Womanspace; Mary Helen Cervantes, NJ Department of Children and Families; Walter Kalman, Former Director of NJ National Association of Social Workers; Elaine Katz, Kessler Foundation; Kathy Krepcio, Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, Rutgers University; Kate Lee-Askew, NJ Coalition Against Human Trafficking; Judi London, Bancroft; Eric Martins, DMGS; Elaine K. Meyerson, New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence; Tammy Molinelli, Bergen County Workforce Development; Kim Ricketts, Former Commissioner of Families and Children; Deborah Spitalnik, Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities, Rutgers University; Ella Teale, Urban League of Union County; Patricia Teffenhart, New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault; Bill Waldman, Former Commissioner of the Department of Human Services; Wayne Wirta, National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence–NJ.

This October, Women Aware participated for the first time ever in the Allstate Foundation’s Purple Purse Challenge. We set out to raise $5,000 online.

Thanks to incredible supporters like you, we nearly doubled our goal. We brought in a total of $9,000. That is all money that will go towards sheltering, counseling, and protecting individuals and children affected by domestic violence. Our supporters donated $5,000 and the Allstate Foundation matched an additional $4,000.

Women Aware offers our deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the mass shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas. The 26 victims included at least 14 children and a pregnant woman. We wish recovery and healing for the injured survivors and all who are affected.

The assailant, who opened fire at a church on Sunday, had been previously convicted and incarcerated for domestic violence. A new study released by Everytown for Gun Safety has found that 54% of mass shootings in the U.S. are related to domestic or family violence.

“The domestic violence is often the canary in the coal mine,” said Sarah Tofte, research director at Everytown for Gun Safety. During interviews yesterday she continued, “We have to address abusers’ access to firearms. And we can do that in so many ways, making sure they’re prohibited from possessing firearms, making sure they turn in the firearms they own. And we, as a country, have to understand more the connections between domestic violence and firearm violence.”

To access domestic violence services in Middlesex County, call Women Aware’s 24-hour hotline at 732-249-4504. We welcome relay calls.

STOCKTON–On October 25th, supporters of domestic violence survivors gathered for the launch of “Towards the Light,” a collection of stories of hope from survivors of domestic and dating violence. Women Aware’s very own Director of Client Services, Maliha Janjua, had her story published anonymously in the volume. Maliha is pictured here (right) with BW NICE Founder and book editor Diane Simovich.

BW NICE, Business Women Networking Involving Charity & Education, provides women at all stages of business and personal life with support, education and resources. They see value in the balance of business networking and charitable outreach. They bring women together to gain meaningful business connections, learn new ways to succeed, and foster an empowering environment. Each BW NICE Chapter raises funds and awareness supporting a local organization in the fight against domestic violence. The BW NICE Middlesex County Chapter supports Women Aware. Interested in joining or learning more? Click here: BW Nice MSC