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Women Aware

Save the Date – March 28

Dine at HONEYGROW - 20% of Proceeds Go to Women Aware

In recognition of International Women’s Month, Women Aware invites you to dine at honeygrow, 36 College Ave., New Brunswick on Wednesday, March 6 between 10:30am and 10:30pm.

20% of proceeds will support Women Aware’s free and confidential services for victim-survivors.

Use Promo Code GIVE110 on the honeygrow app, at honeygrow.com, or in store at the kiosk before checking out.

RSVP at HTTPS://GROUPRAI.SE/S274029

YOU can empower victim-survivors of domestic violence with the services they need to move beyond abuse to health, self-sufficient lives. Thank you!

Middlesex County FJC Hosts “Domestic Violence: The Judicial Perspective” March 5, 2024

Hon. John A. Jorgensen, Judge of the Superior Court of Middlesex County, Family Part (Ret) Presents

The Middlesex County Family Justice Center invites the community to attend a virtual, unique and informative presentation on how judges look at domestic violence cases.

Presenter is Hon. John A. Jorgensen, Judge of the Superior Court of Middlesex County, Family Part (Ret).

Date: March 5, 2024

Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

To join the Zoom meeting, click this link.

Meeting ID: 862 8273 8645

Passcode: 479600

Please join us.

Board of Trustees Names New Officer

Siyan Bradley Appointed Board Vice President

The Women Aware Board of Trustees recently announced the appointment of Siyan Bradley as Board Vice President. Mr. Bradley joined the Board of the state-designated lead domestic violence agency for Middlesex County, NJ in 2019.

Mr. Bradley graduated from Keller Graduate School of Management with a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) degree with a concentration in Project Management. He is employed as a Program Manager at L3harris in Bristol, PA. Mr. Bradley founded The Renee J. Bradley Foundation, dedicated to preventing domestic violence, as he was determined not to allow his mother’s death by violence to be in vain.

He has been featured on WBJLRADIO.COM and recognized by the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence (NJCEDV) with the “NJ Men of Strength” award. Mr. Bradley is a dedicated member of the Cathedral International in Perth Amboy, NJ. He is married to Nicole Little Bradley, and they have three children.

“Siyan truly carries our cause in his heart,” said Women Aware Board President Diane Palmer. “After his mother was tragically killed, he honored her life by establishing a foundation in her memory to prevent domestic violence and educate young people about abuse. Siyan is an enthusiastic, active Board member and a powerful advocate for victims. I am excited to have him join the Board leadership team at Women Aware.”

“Since connecting with Women Aware in 2007, which was the year after my mother’s tragic death, I have been dedicated to helping individuals move beyond abuse,” said Mr. Bradley. “That dedication led me in joining Women Aware’s Board of Trustees in 2019, and now in my new role as Vice President of the Board, I renew my commitment to seeing a world free of domestic violence. I’m excited to be a part of an excellent Board and an amazing team at Women Aware.”

Advocacy Leads to Action

NJ State Senate Adds "Coercive Control" Language to Prevention of Domestic Violence Act

The NJ State Senate voted December 11, 2023, 34-0, to add “coercive control” language to the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act. Once Governor Phil Murphy signs it into law, this language will require judges to consider the impact of coercive control exercised on victims by their abusers, in deciding whether to grant a Final Restraining Order. The passage of this legislation is the result of tireless efforts by the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence, and a number of advocate groups, organizations and individuals, who recognized the importance of including this language in NJ statute. This legislation will continue to help victims move beyond abuse.

Women Aware Produces Law Video Series on Victims’ Rights

"Victims' Rights: Understanding and Accessing the Protections Afforded by Law"

Women Aware recently produced a series of law videos titled, “Victims’ Rights: Understanding and Accessing the Protections Afforded by Law.” This project is co-sponsored by the New Jersey State Bar Foundation and made possible through funding from the IOLTA Fund of the Bar of New Jersey. The videos are available on Women Aware’s YouTube channel.

The 5 to 10-minute videos address the topics of Restraining Orders, Immigration, Child Custody, Sexual Assault, and Victims’ Rights/Victim Advocacy. They feature attorneys and advocates from Women Aware, the lead domestic violence agency in Middlesex County, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, the Middlesex County Center for Empowerment, and Central Jersey Legal Services. Videos were filmed in English, Spanish, and Urdu to educate the diverse communities that make up Middlesex County.

“We are fortunate to have bilingual in-house experts and partners in the Middlesex County Family Justice Center who provide practical information on these challenging topics,” explained Women Aware CEO Phyllis Yonta. “Our hope is these videos will prompt victim-survivors to contact Women Aware or the Family Justice Center for direct assistance. We are grateful to the New State Bar Foundation and IOLTA for making this educational outreach possible.”

Individuals seeking additional information can contact Women Aware’s 24-hour hotline at 732-249-4504 or toll-free at 833-249-4504 or walk in to the Middlesex County Family Justice Center to speak with an advocate. The FJC is located at 100 Bayard Street, New Brunswick, and is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The information provided in the vides is offered by attorneys and advocates who practice in various areas related to domestic violence, as well as some Women Aware staff. The material provided in these videos is for informational purposes only; it is not intended to take the place of legal advice provided by an individual’s attorney. There is no attorney-client relationship created through these videos; Women Aware’s goal is to inform and educate the public, and to answer some frequently-asked questions about a number of topics under the broad umbrella of domestic violence.

2023 Moving Beyond Abuse 5K & Charity Walk Sponsors

Thank you for your generosity!

FINISH LINE SPONSOR

Enbridge Corporation

AWARDS SPONSOR

Kaplan Companies

Trackmind

RACE DAY SPONSOR

Independence Wealth Partners

Stark & Stark Attorneys at Law

Hoagland, Longo, Moran, Dunst & Doukas, LLP

Bob’s Discount Furniture Charitable Foundation

Olympus Construction

Wegmans

Torcon

L’Oreal USA – Franklin Manufacturing

NEIGHBOR SPONSOR

Fresh Ponds Farm

The Bank of Princeton

Charlotte and Joe Camarota

Brilliant Image Cleaning Services

Alcove Private Wealth

Monmouth Mobile Home Park

FRIEND SPONSOR

Schechner Lifson

PKF O’Connor Davies

Olmec

Northeastern Benefit Services

Edward Leske

Citizens Philanthropic Foundation

Universal Windows Direct

Matthew Flannery

Diane and Glenn Palmer

Bright Horizons

Brunswick Tire & Auto

Philly Yonta

WorkHard Fitness

Support Women Aware! Shop Macy’s East Brunswick.

October 16-31

From October 16 – October 31, you can round up your in-store purchases at Macy’s East Brunswick and donate your change, up to $.99, to benefit Women Aware. Macy’s is located in Brunswick Square, 755 NJ-18 Ste 100, East Brunswick.

This is an easy way to support victim-survivors of domestic violence and their children in Middlesex County. You can make a difference because every cent counts in support of the free and confidential services that Women Aware provides: 24/7 hotline, 24/7 emergency shelter, legal advocacy, support groups, children’s trauma reduction therapy, and community outreach.

Thank you for shopping to benefit Women Aware!

It’s the Season of Gratitude & Giving

Gift cards bring smiles.

As temperatures cool and leaves change color, thoughts turn to upcoming gatherings and celebrations with family and friends. For the victim-survivors of domestic violence and their children, this can be a particularly difficult time of year. To help bring smiles to the faces of our clients and their families, I invite you to take part in our Season of Gratitude & Giving Gift Card Collection Drive. Gift cards are a wonderful way to provide direct assistance because they provide financial resources that so many of our clients simply don’t have. Gift cards empower survivors to purchase what they want and need for themselves and their families. Gift card donations are always greatly appreciated, but especially this time of year.

Please consider hosting a collection drive among your family, friends, and/or colleagues. You are welcome to drop off gift cards at Women Aware’s administrative offices at 250 Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick between 9am and 4pm Monday through Friday. Please call first if you plan to stop by – 732.258.0428. You can also mail them to Women Aware at 250 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901. We hope to collect as many gift cards as possible by Thanksgiving, but will continue to accept gift cards thereafter as new clients come to us daily.

Thank you!