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Women Aware COO Maria Betanzos Joins Global 16 Days Campaign Panel at Rutgers Douglass College

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Message from New Jersey State Federation of Women's Clubs

NJSFWC ECONNECTION
NJSFWC Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention

Chairman, Dawn Pogosaew
“It is with a heartfelt thank you that this Chairman writes this article to the many wonderful and incredible students from the Knowledge and Power and Global Village that attended the Global 16 Days Campaign Panel discussion on Monday, November 21st.  

The attendees raised $290.00 and $100.00 in Shoprite gift cards which were donated to Women Aware and 165 items collected were donated to “I Support the Girls.”

The evening started with an introduction from Dr. Ousseina Alidou, Professor of African Languages and Literatures Department of African, Middle Eastern, and South Asian Languages and Literatures.  She gave us insight on the global aspects of Femicide and referenced a documentary by Lisa F. Jackson, “The Greatest Silence” and a play also based on sexual violence in Africa called, “Ruined.”  NJSFWC (New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs) President Shirley Holly followed with information about NJSFWC and GFWC and how we support the many different organizations and our communities.  She shared a personal note about domestic violence and femicide.  The panelists were moderated by Political Science MA student and Global Village alumna Zeinab Kone, who smoothly led the panelists discussions through the evening  with a variety of prewritten questions which were followed up by questions from the floor.

Panelist Maria Betanzos, Chief Operating Officer of Women Aware, gave insight on survivor centered intervention and shared statistics of 180 homicide victims between 2011 and 2019.  90% of the victims were women attempting to leave their abusive situations.  There are now at least 3,000 hearings scheduled for domestic/sexual violence in New Jersey and Women Aware currently has 85 people in secure housing.  She also shared her personal experiences helping and learning to listen for what each survivor might need to feel safe.

Panelist Rebecca Vazquez, Director, Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance at Rutgers explained that Rutgers started a task force after a 1989 sexual assault on campus.  Now there are many support groups, including student coalitions and advocacy groups, a student run 24 hour hotline, and the formation of Scream Theatre with plays and skits centered around sexual, domestic and dating violence.  She spoke about the need to remove barriers and streamline help to survivors. She also emphasized the importance of students speaking up and speaking out about violence.  And provide ways in which we can give back the power of control to the survivors.

Panelist Hajar Shirley, Lecturer at Rutgers School of Communications & Information discussed the indirect affects domestic and sexual violence has on an individual and stressed the importance of health equity including the need for survivors to put their own health first.  She shared how students, through their own enthusiasm and combined resources could help to end violence and the consequences of femicide.

This Chairman came away from the evening in awe of the fantastic women that work and attend Douglass College.  They were all engaged in the discussions and truly cared about the topic and want to make a difference in prevention, awareness and help to survivors of violence.  The students were all generous and kind, and truly are becoming the leaders of tomorrow.”

 
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Annual Gift Card Collection Drive

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This Season of Gratitude & Giving, Give Hope to Survivors of Domestic Violence

Looking for a community service project that really makes a difference? Consider hosting a gift card collection drive within your family, among your friends, or at your office. Women Aware is collecting gift cards to provide survivors of domestic violence with the resources to buy what they need and want for themselves and their children.

The most helpful cards are: VISA • MASTERCARD • UBER • TARGET • WALMART • CVS • WALGREEN’S • SHOPRITE • STOP&SHOP • AMAZON • GAS CARDS

You can mail gift cards to Women Aware, 250 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901.

You can drop off gift cards to Women Aware at the same address, Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm. Please call 732.249.4900 x0428 before stopping by.

The deadline for donations is Friday, November 11. Thank you!

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5K – One Month Away

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Step Up for Domestic Violence Awareness Month - Be Part of Women Aware's Moving Beyond Abuse 5K on October 15 at Johnson Park

All are welcome!

Women Aware invites the Middlesex County community to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month by participating in the Moving Beyond Abuse 5K on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at Johnson Park-Grove 4, Piscataway. This is a USATF-Certified 5K flat course.

All event proceeds will 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. Race time is 10:00 a.m.
  • Save $10 and register in advance for $35. In-person 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.
  • Live music from Goldenseal the band
  • Tasty treats from Fritz’s-New Brunswick
  • Children’s activities

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

Run, walk, or simply turn out and be part of the village it takes to moves survivors of domestic violence beyond abuse in Middlesex County.

Thank you, Sponsors  

Enbridge • Kaplan Companies • Independence Wealth Partners • Bob’s Discount Furniture Charitable Foundation • Olympus Construction • Hoagland, Longo, Moran, Dunst & Doukas • Monmouth Mobile Homes Park • Stark & Stark • Fresh Ponds Farm • L’Oreal USA-Franklin • Universal Windows Direct • ESW Beauty • Wawa • Charlotte and Joe Camarota • Investors Bank • The Bank of Princeton • PKF O’Connor Davies • Edward Leske Company • Schechner Lifson Corporation • Martin Insurance Group • Red Bank Pension • Diane Palmer • Olmec • Matthew Flannery • Riot & Rebel

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Moving Beyond Abuse 5K Registration Open

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Proceeds from 5K & One-Mile Charity Walk Support Survivors of Domestic Violence

Join Women Aware in recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month by participating in the Moving Beyond Abuse 5K on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at Johnson Park-Grove 4, Piscataway. This is a USATF-Certified 5K flat course.  For those who wish to run/walk a shorter course or simply support Women Aware by attending, there is an optional one-mile Charity Walk. Registration covers either option. Teams are encouraged to sign-up to run/walk together. All event proceeds will benefit survivors and families moving beyond abuse through Women Aware.

Details:

  • Day-of registration begins at 8:30 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.
  • Children’s activity
  • Live music from Goldenseal the bandwww.goldensealtheband.com
  • Tasty treats from Fritz’s-New Brunswick

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

Members of the community can enjoy a family-friendly event and be part of the village it takes to moves survivors of domestic violence beyond abuse in Middlesex County. 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. Incidents of strangulation and the presence of guns in homes make today’s domestic violence cases even more dangerous for victims and their children. Proceeds from the 5K will support the free and confidential services Women Aware provides to anyone experiencing domestic violence in our County.

Thank you, Sponsors (to date)

Enbridge • Kaplan Companies • Independence Wealth Partners • Bob’s Discount Furniture Charitable Foundation • Brilliant Image Cleaning Service • Olympus Construction • Monmouth Mobile Home Park • Fresh Ponds Farm • Universal Windows Direct • The Bank of Princeton • L’Oreal-Franklin Manufacturing • Wawa • Charlotte and Joe Camarota • PKF O’Connor Davies • Edward Leske Company • Schechner Lifson Corporation • Martin Insurance Group • Diane Palmer • Olmec

Sponsorships Available

Women Aware’s 5K offers businesses and individuals an opportunity to not only promote their brand and commitment to a safer, healthier community, but to support life-saving services to survivors in imminent danger; and support them with the social, emotional, and financial resources to build hopeful lives free of abuse.  For more information about sponsorship benefits, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/MovingBeyondAbuse/Page/Sponsorship or contact Susan Dyckman at sdyckman@womenaware.net or 732.249.4900, ext. 0428.

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East Brunswick Mayor Visits Middlesex County Family Justice Center

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Welcome, Mayor Brad Cohen

Thank you to East Brunswick, NJ Mayor Brad Cohen for visiting the Middlesex County Family Justice Center. Pictured: Ellen Schwartz, Director of Legal Resources; Mayor Cohen; Mildred Torres, Director of the Family Justice Center; Susan Dyckman, Development Director, Women Aware.

Help. Hope. Healing. The Family Justice Center is open for survivors of domestic violence and their families Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 100 Bayard Street, 4th Floor, New Brunswick. No appointment is necessary. Walk-ins are welcome.

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Middlesex County Fair Association Awards Sponsorship to Women Aware

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$5,000 to Support Survivors of Domestic Violence

Big thanks to the Middlesex County Fair Association for awarding Women Aware a $5,000 sponsorship at the Fair’s Opening Ceremonies on August 1. We are so grateful for the Association’s generosity to survivors of domestic violence and their children. Pictured: Susan Dyckman, Development Director, Women Aware; Alan Habiak, President/General Manager, Middlesex County Fair Association; Joyce Chagnon, member, Women Aware Board of Directors and member, New Jersey Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee.

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