WA Annual Report.indd

Annual Report 2011

My Bridge Is StrongMy Bridge Is Strong

WA Annual Report.indd 1 7/17/12 10:06 PM

the briDGethe briDGe

by maggie, age 6

By encouraging creative thinking and problem solving, Women Aware’s Art Therapist helped Maggie build a strong, stable bridge.

When Maggie originally built this bridge, it was very weak, a result of having been built upon a shaky foundation. Maggie drew herself under the bridge – unable to get up, after having fallen through the fl imsy slats. Frustrated, Maggie dropped glue around the picture of herself, indicating that the glue drops would, “freeze anyone who stepped on them so that they would have to stay under the bridge forever.” She stated that she was sad and alone under the bridge.

Through gentle guidance, the Art Therapist helped Maggie stabilize her bridge,making it safer and easier to cross without falling into the glue below. Maggie,now becoming a profi cient problem solver, decided to then build a set of stairs, so that if someone fell, they could climb out. The bridge was complete when Maggie glued cotton to the bottom of the slide, so that after climbing the stairs, there would always be a safe landing.

The process of creating and amending her bridge helped Maggie see that she has the strength to move beyond the past and that she will work to create safety and hope. As she grows and interacts with the world, these transferable skills willhelp her continue to use the creative problem-solving that was nourished in hisArt Therapy treatment at Women Aware.

Now…her bridge is strong.


Vision anD mission // Women Aware is committed to a vision of a just society. Our mission is to end domestic violence in the lives of men, women and children and to change societal attitudes and institutions that promote and condone violence, through public policy advocacy, edu-cation and programs and ser-vices that promote lives free of abuse.

noW as then // Women Aware, Inc. was founded 32 years ago on the belief that every human be-ing has the right to live free from violence and the fear of violence. We remain focused on our mission and in the pro-cess have strengthened our services for battered women and their children. We are the only program of its kind serving Middlesex County.

We are devoted to empowering women to live free from violence, to look clearly at their present situation, and to make the changes necessary to build a strong foundation for healing, self-confi dence, and independence.

Through our work, we are improving the health and well being of the families who look to us for safety, strength and hope and, in the process, we are changing lives.

Dear frienDs,

Dr. Charles Stanley reminds us that, “when you forget yourself…you usually start doing things others will remember.”

Women Aware operates on these same principles. We are mission focused – always mindful that it’s not about us. We work to create a climate of compassion and kindness. And, we give with our hands open in the belief that there is enough to go around.

The result is that we make a difference in the lives of women and their children every day. We are able to do so because you found it in your heart to generously support us - making it possible for Women Aware to deliver vital life-saving services day in and day out.

Your support in 2011 and beyond is crucial as we continue to move victims beyond abuse. Because of you, we are saving lives.

Sincerely,

Phyllis AdamsExecutive Director

Phyllis Adams, Executive Director recognizes Madeline Cook of the

Edison Housing Authority for her partnership in creating permanent

supportive housing at Women Aware’s fi rst Moving Beyond Abuse

Breakfast.


safetY anD time to heal…

“Don’t be scared – this is the safest place you’ll ever be!”

mia, aGe 7

When the economy suffers – so do battered women. According to the most recent data from the Department of Labor, New Jersey’s unemployment rate continues to surpass the national average. An extensive report by the National Institute of Justice fi nds that the rate of violence against women increases as unemployment increases. It increases to 7.5% when there is one period of unemployment and jumps to 12.3% when there are two or more periods of unemployment.

The result is skyrocketing numbers of victims seeking service. All totaled, our service statistics increased 12% over the previous year.

200 women and children found refuge at the Safe House.

1,391 women and children received non-residential services, including individual and support group counseling, legal advocacy, and trauma reduction art therapy.

5,560 hotline calls answered; providing support, information, safety planning and resources.

12,574 adults and children educated at 150 prevention and education trainings.

24,915 meals were served.

$1,101,191 in additional assistance was leveraged to help women struggling with poverty and abuse.

Your dollars save lives – 98% of our clients reported an increase in the ability to plan for their safety and the safety of their children.


insPirinG hoPe...non-resiDential CoUnselinGWith a gift from a generous donor, Women Aware launched an individual counseling program for non-residential clients - including those without children, those still living in an abusive situation, and teens who have witnessed domestic violence or been subjected to dating abuse. It is an absolutely essential element in our growing continuum of care and an important addition to the agency’s service capabilities.

ChilD abUse PreVentionDespite the co-occurrence of domestic violence and child abuse, until recently, the abuse of women and the maltreatment of children in the same family have been treated as separate problems, to be addressed by separate systems. The selection of Women Aware to model the Domestic Violence Liaison establishes a direct link to child protection services in Middlesex County.

As a result, home visits, on-site case consultation, support and advocacy were provided to 100 non-offending parents and their children to increase safety, stability and well being and improve outcomes, as well as to strengthen the capacity of the NJ Department of Children and Familes and the Division of Youth and Family Services to provide effective assessment and intervention for families in domestic violence situations.

DomestiC ViolenCe aWarenessTo commemorate Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, Women Aware in collaboration with the Middlesex County Freeholders and the Prosecutor’s Offi ce encouraged municipalities to illuminate in purple by participating in a countywide awareness event called Shine the Light on Domestic Violence. Local offi cials, business owners, and residents were encouraged to simply place a lamp on a table with a purple bulb or put purple lights in trees, in store windows, or around the town’s municipal building to promote awareness through a visual display that symbolizes the victims and survivors of domestic violence in our community.

There was standing room only for Celebrating Survivors which honored their lives and allowed them to tell their stories through art, dance, music, poetry, and drama. The domestic violence awareness month event was held at the Reformed Church of Highland Park.

laW enforCement resPonseWe worked alongside 12 police departments and Rutgers University to hold offenders accountable and supervised Domestic Violence Response Teams who assisted 221 victims.

Our Jessica Gonzalez Special Victim Assistance Program fi rst piloted for the State of New Jersey in conjunction with the South River Police Department was expanded to Highland Park in collaboration with the local police department there.

branDinGIn 2011 Women Aware unveiled a new logo and tagline. The new design is a fi rst step in our effort to build a compelling and trusted association between our name, our logo, and the essential services we provide. The tagline, Moving Beyond Abuse, is a message of empowerment – reinforcing that it is possible for victims to become survivors by making the changes that build a new life free from violence.

“my reason to survive is my children.”aliCia, safe hoUse


Fundraising 10% Government Grants 77% Corporate/Foundation 11% Other 2%

finanCialsreVenUe

total inComeFundraising - $176,364Government Grants - $1,532,402Corporate/Foundation Grants - $227,813Other - $54,318

eXPenses

total eXPensesProgram - $1,384,534General and Administrative - $518,163Fundraising - $1,493

moVinG beYonD abUse breakfastOur fi rst annual Moving Beyond Abuse Breakfast attract 150 supporters and raised $29,476. The event honored Liquid Church for their extreme makeover of our Women Aware facilities. “We’re here to rebuild what men have destroyed,” was the theme of the day which involved 200 skilled craftsman and volunteers who painted the exterior, hung awnings, upgraded the children’s’ play yard, landscaped, poured new side walks and retaining wall, and put up a privacy fence. Also honored was Madeline Cook, Executive Director of the Edison Housing Authority. Under her leadership, the Edison Housing Authority has helped Women Aware to secure housing subsidies for the families who will live in our permanent supportive housing – New Jersey’s fi rst.

rUtGers UniVersitY stUDYWomen Aware worked with researchers from the School of Social Work Violence Against Women Institute at Rutgers University to evaluate the outcome of our bilingual outreach and awareness project in partnership with the Puerto Rican Action Board. The published study found that, “survivors who were connected to Women Aware expressed positive experiences, identifying the helpfulness of having bilingual and bicultural staff. Indeed, these same survivors believed they would not have come to Women Aware (or stayed) had those staff not been available. Other positive comments included the attention given to their concrete needs (i.e. food, shelter, learning English). Finally, survivors were grateful that staff never told them what to do but provided support and information.”

krYstal skinner WalkA social work student at Rutgers University at the time of her death, Krystal Skinner was murdered by her boyfriend in March 2008.

Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women between the ages of fi fteen and forty-four, and there are 16,800 homicides annually as a result of domestic violence.

“It is our promise to serve with effi ciency, integrity and grace.” –PhYllis aDams, eXeCUtiVe DireCtor

* Children’s therapeutic program

** Legal advocacy DVRT, community education, counseling and domestic violence liaison

Shelter 28% PALS* 21% Outreach** 23% Administration 27% Fundraising 1%


sUPPortinG oUr Work“the faith based community recognizes the outstanding contribution Women aware is making in

helping victims of domestic violence to begin the long process of re-establishing their lives.”reV. sUsan kramer-mills, Co-Pastor, first reformeD ChUrCh of neW brUnsWiCk anD

eXeCUtiVe DireCtor of toWn CloCk CommUnitY DeVeloPment CorPoration

Women aWare boarD of DireCtors

Diane PalmerViCe PresiDentRev. Ann B. ShamyseCretarYMatthew FlannerytreasUrerWilliam G. Brigiani, Esq. Joseph Del Guercio Marian HaasJason LaViscountElla Mae Mitchell Jessica S. Oppenheim, Esq. James Ryan

Phyllis Adams, MA, MSW, DVSeXeCUtiVe DireCtor

lookinG aheaD

sUmmer - Women Aware Executive Director Phyllis Adams will present a workshop entitled at the 2012 National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) conference.

fall – Check our website for details about how you can participate in Domestic Violence Awareness activities – including candlelight vigils and purple light campaigns – in your local community. Winter – Donate new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages, and new wrapping paper, tissue and bows for our Holiday Gift Shop.

Look for an invitation to a ribbon cutting when we open the doors to New Jersey’s fi rst permanent supportive housing for women and children moving beyond abuse.

Year roUnD - Women Aware is working to create a world where domestic violence no longer exists. If you share this vision, we invite you to take a tour and learn more about our work. To schedule your visit contact Patricia Teffenhart-Maikos, Assistant Executive Director, at 732.249.4900 or visit our website at www.womenaware.net for upcoming dates and times.

« Women Aware staff walk in support of the Krystal Skinner Memorial Scholarship.

Joseph Camarota Jr.PresiDent

* Children’s therapeutic program

** Legal advocacy DVRT, community education, counseling and domestic violence liaison


GrantsCounty of MiddlesexMary Bradoff FoundatioMary Kay FoundationMiddlesex County Board of Social Services – Title IVAMs. Foundation for Women, Inc.NJ Coalition For Battered Women Novo NordiskPuerto Rican Action BoardRobert Wood Johnson Foundation State of New Jersey Department of Children and Families Department of Community Affairs Division on Women Office of Victim WitnessUnited Way of Central JerseyUSDA

Charitable GiftsAARPADK Kappa Chapter Gloria Adlerman Surabhi AgarwalNancy & Roger Allen Ruth Alverez Jennifer Amato Dr. Louis Amorosa Olga Andromikova Anonymous AAA Anthony’s Plumbing, Heating and Cooling, Inc.AT&TBarbara G. Baier Juana Bacchus Bank of America Judith Basch Susan Baybutt

Connie Bechtel Erie Beemsterboer Vivian Beenstock Laurie Bell Carol Bellante Jennene Bertucci Victoria Blackhall Christine Birch Virginia Bodden Laura & Kirk Bonamici Phyllis Boyer Jennifer & Thomas Bornkamp Judy Braverman Gayle Brill Mittler Anita Britto Desiree W. Brown Stephanie Jo Brown Eliza Buchalczyk Lucy Buckner Deborah Budd-Levine Antoinette Bunkley Charlotte & Joseph CamarotaKaren Else Cambria Janet & Anthony Campisano Peter Cantu Phyllis Canzona Capital One Sally Anne Caranfa Jay Castillo Laura Cisar Central Jersey Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Aruna Chadda Sung Chae Charitable Flex Fund Chi Upsilon Sigma Chubb & Son Diane & Joseph Cinkewicz Clearbrook Bnai BrithCharles Cohen

Community Foundation of New JerseyMary Connolly Jeff Cook Madeline Cook Joseph Cox Crabriel Home for Funerals CRP East Brunswick, LLCChris CunninghamGeorge D’Addario Amy Beth Dambeck Susan Darien Jeffrey DeBerny Darnell De Chalus Joseph Del Guercio Mary Ann DelGuercio Arlyne DeSena Caryl & Dave Distel Zena Dixon Alan Dolnick Caroline Dorcey Nancy Drumright Louise Duus East Brunswick Jewish Center Sonja Eilenberger Amy Einsenstein Monica & Raymond Eppinger Kimberly Erbe Michele Fabriele Catherine Fama Grace and Stephen Farkas First Reformed Church Yasmin Fisher Elaine Flynn Burton Feigenbaum Joan Fekete Joan Ferguson First Reformed Church Linda Fitzpatrick-Babeuf Matthew Flannery Elaine & William Flynn Sharon Forte

2011 DonorsThank You! 100% of your donations directly impact the lives of survivors and their children. With your important contribution, you help us to grow and propel the movement to end domestic violence in our community.


Pilar Foy Franzwa Real Estate Advisors, LLC Deborah Fredericks Carol Freedman Judith GardnerRoseanne Gedman GE Foundation Joanne GereSondra Glazer Martin Goldberg Margery & Hugo L. Golin Harriet Golub Sheldon Golub Anne Gordon Victoria Gorman Jo Ann & Joseph Gornicz Lisa Gossard GRA Marketing Alan Gross Tamara Guillou GW Connections Marian HaasRuth R. Hague Elizabeth Hahn Elizabeth Hance Bethany Hands Judith Harkay Judith Hart Sol Heckelman Estelle & Peter Heimann HHP Enterprises, LLC Jerome Hoffman Sylvia & Sidney Hollender Erma Hornstein Barbara Howard Candice HowardLinda Hrycenko Patricia & Henry Hunt Elaine Incorvaia Maimoona Janjua Maria Janjua Genevieve P. Jarvis Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex CountyJohn Adams Elementary School

Johnson & Johnson Marilyn Johnson Duane Juhasz Junior Woman’s Club of New Brunswick Kristine Kadela Kallol’s Women Forum Susan Kaplan Dina & Daniel KatzKaren Kecskes Karen & John Keithler Anne Marie Kelly Sandi Kimmel Barbara Klein Ann Konasiewicz Julie KormanGail Kovacs-Felici Rev. Susan Kramer Mills Jeanne Kushinsky Jennifer Kushinka Rev. Linda Lachesnez-Norment Mozella & Thomas Lamarr Elayne Landesberg Toni Latario Jason LaViscount Pastor Michael Leahy Raymond Leahy Rita Lipford Sylvia Lipman Liquid Church L’Oreal USA Lox, Stock & Deli, Inc.Dianne Maki Tamela Lowery-McGlohn Verna Ludwig Lillian Lund Gloria Mach Magyar Bank Foundation Maidenform, Inc.Kathleen & James Makowski Alberta Mandelblatt Mary Patricia Marcello James MateyHelen McCoy Brian McFadden-DiNicola Penny McGuire

McGuire Chiropractic, LLC Sarah Shepard McMahan McMaster-Carr Supply Company Mariam Merced Merck Partnership for Giving Caroline Meuly Lisa Mickel Middlesex County Bar FoundationMiddlesex County Vocational School Middlesex Dunellen Domestic Violence Response TeamMiddlesex PBA Local 181Elaine & Charles Miller Traci Mosser Sara Moran Fanva Naqvi National Council of Jewish Women of ConcordiaNCADD of Middlesex Mary Nelson G. Susan Nemeth Network for Good Barbara Nicol Joseph and Patricia Ohara Jessica Oppenheim Shirley Osipov Debra Ottalloran Diane Palmer Eboni Parks Dawn Petrozzini Pfizer Foundation Daniel Pinto Sheree Pitchford Plainsboro DVRT Gina & Vincent Plotino Doris Polito Jessica PolizzottoCarole Poller Michele Pollock Rich Presbyterian Women Judy Prichason Preferred Properties, LLC Prudential Foundation Dipti Rath Linda Razzano


Janet L. Reed Catherine & Thomas Rhein Judy Richman Mayor Antonia Ricigliano Freeholder Ron Rios Jean L. Rivas Kathryn & Eulogio Romero Dr. Dale Rosin Janet Russin Rutgers Rising Leaders Institute Kenuel Saintyl Gloria Sammis Irene Sanborn Jyoti Sapra Sayreville Domestic Violence Respnse Team Renee Scarano Schechner Lifson Corporation Iris Schulman Scitor Corporation Rosemary Seghatoleslami Betty Seidler Rosemarie Shah Rev. & John Shamy Simpson United Methodist

Church Six Mile Run Reformed Church Melissa Jo Smith Nancy Smith Gregory Soriano Sandy Soriano South Brunswick Lions Club Spotswood Reformed Church Ursula & Christina Steel Jill Stone Roberta Stone Judith Storch Beth StuckeyUma Subramanian Christine & Robert Sullivan Robin Suydam Judy Taylor Telecordia TechnologiesCarol & John Tobin Thomas Toronto Trinity Presbyterian Church Truist Isabelle Tucker United Methodist Church at New Brunswick

United Way of New York City Freeholder Blanquita Valenti Mary L. Valera Linda Van Derveer Venton Medical Peter Ventrice VFW Memorial Post #133 Barbara Voorhees Mentors Debbie Wagner Alexander Walder Laura WalshinAnne & John Wallwork Shirley WanetekTheresa WardSarah Wasserman David Weber Michael Wells Andrea Wendler Patricia & H. Shrerman Whipkey Ida White MaryAnn WhitePatricia Whitehouse Pamela YuenHope Zabolinsky

“a real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out. i thank you, friend, for my life.”

lillY, leGal aDVoCaCY anD sUPPort GroUP Client

« Aspira Dance Group performing at the 2011 Celebrating Survivors.


in the neWsneW brUnsWiCk PatChby Jennifer BradshawWomen Aware Assists Clients Seeking Shelter from Domestic Violence DailYtarGUm.ComResidents Decorate Buildings to Light Up AwarenessmYCentralJerseY.Comby Jessica PaoChristy Announces 3.83 Million in Funding for Homeless Shelters, Transitional HousingnJ neWsSouth Brunswick Leaders Applaud Local Organization Combating Domestic ViolencemYCentralJerseY.Comby Maria PratoHotline Highlights Growing Problem of Domestic Violence, Especially Among ImmigrantsnJtoDaY.netMiddlesex County Encourages Municipalities and Residents to Shine a Light on Domestic ViolencesoUth brUnsWiCk PatChby Davy JamesSouth Brunswick Police Join “Shine the Light on Domestic Violence”

Women Aware’s Purple Light Campaign shines a light on domestic violence.


a client who remains anonymous wrote “one briCk at a time”

during her stay at the safe house “one briCk at a time”

This is for those who can’t speak for themselvesTragedy stricken hearts with their dreams on the shelvesAimlessly wandering searching to findStrength and support that’s been there all the time

This is for those who have made it that farWho figuratively speaking confined their doubts to a jarLooking forward to progress and not just what painsYet when attempting to fly, still bound by chains

This is for those who have learned how to soarWhen dealing with our past it’s no longer a choreThey see how denial has gotten in their wayWith their baggage and all prepared for a new day

The rich to the poor this speaks for them allthe stubborn, the willing, the big and the smallTo the blind it gives eyes, the deaf it gives earsLove gives the world power to conquer its fears

A goal is a step for us to achievethe formula is determination and a will to believeThis is for those who have learned how to shineRebuilding our lives one brick at a time.

250 Livingston AvenueNew Brunswick, NJ 08901

24 hour Hotline - 732.249.4504 www.womenaware.net

www.facebook.com/pages/Women-Aware-Inc/113730875307060


Documents

WA Annual Report.indd