50th Anniversary – Lighting the Way Forward

Embracing the past 50 years and lighting the way forward

180 Turning Lives Around was launched in Monmouth County, NJ, in 1976, not simply as a nonprofit, but a catalyst for positive change. Though we started with only a handful of women and a modicum of resources, we possessed the determination needed to firmly establish ourselves as the community’s designated lead domestic violence agency. We were the first federally-funded battered women’s shelter in the US; we launched our community’s first rape care hotline; we helped develop NJ’s model for domestic violence and sexual assault crisis response teams; we were a founding member of the NJ Coalition to End Domestic Violence and the NJ Coalition Against Sexual Assault; and we have been commissioned twice by donors to implement innovative programming aimed at youth and children (specifically, those who are at-risk, abused, disadvantaged, overlooked, or underserved). Today we offer a continuum of services that includes: 24-hour crisis hotlines for domestic violence and sexual assault; a 24-hour statewide youth helpline; emergency shelter (for women, men, children, and their pets); transitional/rapid re-housing; crisis response at police stations and hospitals; counseling; immigrant outreach; court advocacy; creative therapies for children; psychoeducation for parents; a Family Justice Center; and educational programs for professionals/community members.

Our mission is to empower survivors and families affected by domestic violence and sexual assault to find the courage and strength to turn their lives around. We support this mission through: 24/7 helplines and counseling; legal advocacy; emergency shelter and transitional housing; and art, play, drama, and music therapy.

The goals that drive our work include: providing a safe and healthy environment for all clients; respecting the inherent dignity of children/families; continually assessing the strengths and needs of clients; supporting clients in their own decision-making after exploring all options; offering individualized services that meet client needs; empowering clients to gain self-sufficiency and long-term safety; and respecting diversity in all aspects.

Throughout our 40+ years in existence we continually established, nurtured, and sought out partnerships with local, statewide, and even national organizations that would allow us to provide a well-rounded suite of support for our clients. We work with area police departments, hospitals, social service agencies and a variety of legal, medical, educational, financial, and employment agencies.

Operations are carried out by roughly 80 full-/part-time staff, along with hundreds of volunteers, all working under the direction of a voluntary Board of Directors and an executive team with extensive experience in social services and nonprofit management.

180 Turning Lives Around History

Preloader

  • Providing Shelter

    The “Founding Mothers” help house abused women in their own homes while applying for funding from the federal government to set up a shelter. “The Women’s Center” is incorporated.

  • The First Hotline

    The first Rape Hotline in Monmouth County is established by staff of The Women’s Center.

  • Services Expand

    Advocacy, Counseling, Case Management, Community Outreach, and Education comprehensive services are initiated to address all needs victims and their children face, as well as the community.

  • Enter Anna

    Anna Diaz White joins The Women’s Shelter as the Fiscal/Grant Administrator.

  • Anna Writes the Grant

    Anna writes the grant to provide funding for 180’s first shelter, which was also the first federally-funded battered women’s shelter.

  • First Shelter Funded

    Funding received for the first federally-funded battered women’s shelter in the United States.

  • FCLP Begins

    The Family Court Liaison Program (FCLP) offers support for domestic violence victims at Municipal Court.

  • Opening the Nation’s First Shelter

    Emergency Shelter – The Women’s Shelter opens the doors to the county’s first domestic violence emergency shelter to 7 families.

  • Anna’s Unanimous Election

    Anna is unanimously selected by the agency’s Board of Trustees to lead the whole agency.

  • Sexual Assault Response Teams Founded

    Sexual Assault Response Teams (SART) begin. Trained advocates and counselors respond to needs of sexual assault victims and their loved ones throughout the criminal justice system, including medical examinations and police procedures.

  • Families in Transition Founded

    The Women’s Center receives federal funding for Families in Transition (FIT) to provide temporary housing for families. Anna wrote the HUD grants which supported the start of FIT.

  • Nurse Pilot Program

    The Women’s Center participates in the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) pilot program.

  • Reaching Minority and Immigrant Communities

    The Shore Regional Outreach Program (SROP) extends the organization’s reach into marginalized and immigrant communities providing culturally relevant services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

  • Domestic Violence Response Teams Founded

    Trained advocates and counselors partner with municipal police to respond to the needs of domestic violence victims wherever they are needed, including police stations and hospitals.

  • Amanda’s Easel Provides Art Therapy

    Anna works with the Wengert family to develop and offer a trauma-focused creative arts therapy program for children in the community as part of their healing from their traumatic loss.

  • The Women’s Center Becomes 180

    The Women’s Center changes its name to 180 Turning Lives Around to convey the comprehensive and integrated programs and services available for families.

  • Youth Helpline Pilot Program

    180 creates a pilot program youth helpline to respond to crisis issues for the county’s young people, including support around dating abuse, cyber bullying, sex/sexuality, and mental health issues including suicide.

  • 2NDFLOOR Youth Helpline for all of NJ

    2NDFLOOR Youth Helpline goes Statewide, serving all of New Jersey’s youth. Anna oversees the Statewide program. She cultivates the relationship with a key donor and is awarded over $600k funding from the State to launch this program. Within 10 years, there will be over 28,000 visits to the website, over 1,600 referrals made, and over 10,000 calls seeking support.

  • Domestic Violence Liaison Founded

    Connects the State’s Department of Children and Families with an experienced 180 Domestic Violence support person, closing the loop between the State and 180’s services.

  • Campaign to Build a New Shelter

    Anna and the 180 Board of Trustees launch the organization’s second capital campaign to build a new emergency shelter.

  • Keeping Families Together Pilot Program

    A DCF pilot program is awarded to 180 and then further extended as a key 180 service to support Monmouth County families.

  • Tripling Capacity with Our New Safehouse

    180 opens its doors to the new ADA safehouse, one of the largest in the State, which is also the largest homeless facility in the County. The flagship Emergency Shelter is nearly double the capacity of the former shelter and the only emergency shelter in the State able to house adult male victims and their families.

  • One Million Survivors

    180 reaches the milestone of supporting over 1 MILLION victims and their loved ones through its extensive programs and services.

  • Legal Assistance for Victims Federally Funded

    180 wins federal funding for Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) which supports victims of domestic violence and sexual assault who cannot afford legal support on their own.

  • Family Justice Center Partnership Assembled

    Anna creates the partnership with Monmouth County, the County Prosecutor, and the County Municipal Court to establish the Monmouth Family Justice Center.

  • Anna Named NJ Hall of Fame “Unsung Hero”

    For her four decades of dedicated service to over a million survivors and their families.

  • Advocating for LGBTQ

    180 creates a program/position to provide outreach to the LGBTQIA+ community which becomes a model for the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault and other state agencies.

  • Monmouth County Family Justice Center Opens

    180 creates the county’s newest institution to offer victims a one-stop shop program for their immediate needs, reducing their trauma and helping them and their children expedite the services from other agencies. Anna delivers the winning presentation at the inaugural Impact 100 Jersey Coast awards, competition and received the seed funding.

Sponsorship Opportunities

$100,000

Exclusive Title Sponsor
The Exclusive Title Sponsor receives ALL non-bolded benefits listed from every tier below, plus:

  • Presenting logo placement on every Domestic Violence Awareness Month banner/billboard in October of 2026.
  • Presenting logo placement on 180’s 50th campaign printed letterhead.
  • Gala table (10 tickets), ad, and sponsor recognition on April 23, 2026.
  • Logo placement on four awareness campaign photobooths, reaching thousands of participants.
  • Exclusive gift.

$50,000

Sponsor
$50k Sponsor receives ALL non-bolded benefits listed from every tier below, plus:

  • Logo placement on every Domestic Violence Awareness Month banner/billboard in October of 2026.
  • 4 Gala tickets, ad, and sponsor recognition on April 23, 2026.
  • Logo placement on 180’s 50th campaign digital letterhead, consistently reaching over 10,000 constituents.
  • Logo placement on photobooth at one premiere 180 event.
  • Personal thank you video from 180 program staff.
  • Featured on an episode of 180’s monthly podcast.
  • Exclusive volunteer opportunity at the Holiday Boutique Elves Workshop.
  • Program tour of your choice (Family Justice Center, Amanda’s Easel, or Transitional Housing).

$25,000

Sponsor
$25k Sponsor receives ALL non-bolded benefits listed from every tier below, plus:

  • Name listing on every Domestic Violence Awareness Month banner/billboard in October of 2026.
  • 2 Gala tickets, ad, and sponsor recognition on April 23, 2026.
  • Listing on Seastreak Ferry ads.
  • Invitation to an exclusive donor appreciation event.

$10,000

Sponsor
$10k Sponsor receives all benefits listed below:

  • Gala ad and sponsor recognition on April 23, 2026.
  • Invitation to a VIP wine tasting with special gift, only for 50th campaign sponsors.
  • Listing on sponsor board at all 180 events.
  • Listing on sponsor banner at all local parades, races, etc.
  • Dedicated e-blast highlighting all 50th anniversary sponsors.
  • Dedicated social media post.
  • Logo placement on dedicated sponsor page of 180’s website.