Dear Friends,
It’s hard to believe October and National Domestic Violence Awareness Month has come to a close; our work of course goes on 24/7/365.
We have had a busy month serving our families and helping them heal from domestic violence while making enhanced efforts in our community to raise awareness. Along with the National Network to End Domestic Violence, we have taken part in a national coordinated conversation which reinforces the theme that, “Every1 Knows Some1”. Our social media this month has highlighted statistics and stories and brought to light a fact that is more prevalent than most realize: one in four women and one in seven men will experience domestic violence in their lifetimes.
Highlights of our work this past month:
  • Hosted our Annual Domestic Violence Awareness Month Event at the JBJ Soul Kitchen in Red Bank with over 70 attendees on a beautiful fall evening.
  • Thanks to a very generous donor we have three billboards running throughout Monmouth County which will continue well into the winter months and help raise awareness of domestic violence.
  • 14 new volunteers received a two week-40 hour Crisis Response Team Training which enables them to serve victims of domestic violence at police stations and hospitals throughout Monmouth County.
  • The Ms. Race Committee presented 180 with a check in the amount of $21,000 resulting from this past summer’s sailing regatta in Atlantic Highlands. Subsequently, we were saddened to learn about the passing of Ms. Race co-chair, Eileen Campbell who so selflessly dedicated herself to our mission for many years.
  • The National news story of Long Island, NY Gabby Petito, saturated our local news outlets and her legacy enabled us to educate a captive audience on the warning signs of domestic violence and the lethality of strangulation.
  • A very generous anonymous donor provided a $50,000 donation to help us further our mission.
  • Brookdale Community College took on a variety of awareness efforts including “chalk the walk for 180”, hosted a webinar for community members and students regarding domestic violence & launched a fundraiser in support of our work. Next month they will host the Amanda’s Easel art exhibit to further the discussion.
  • Outreach Staff presented to students at 4 high schools this month – Marlboro, Colts Neck, Raritan and Long Branch.
  • The Rumson Fair Haven Regional High School Gymnastics Team hosted a successful food drive to help us restock our pantry in Long Branch.
  • Jersey Central Power & Light employees took up a Winter Hats, Gloves & Coat Drive for our families.
  • OceanFirst Bank and Manasquan Bank both awarded us grants and presented these generous donations to us.
  • We launched our Holiday Gift Card Drive which will help us make our families holiday season a little brighter.
  • And so much more!
For those of you who may have missed our social media posts this month, the round-up below will give you a quick review.
Many thanks to everyone involved in the efforts to end domestic violence in Monmouth County. Let’s keep the conversation going the whole year through!
Social Media Round Up