Recently, a young Mom became quarantined with her abuser during the early weeks of the pandemic. She told us that so many times she had considered running out the front door into her neighborhood for help, but when she looked outside, the streets were empty. Inside her home, the stress of the pandemic, looming unemployment and financial worries, only intensified an already abusive situation. She worried for her children and knew she ultimately needed to leave. She visited the 180 website in the early hours of a Saturday morning while everyone in her house slept. Her heart raced and she hoped that he would not find her looking up our information. She quickly cleared her search history and found a way to call our hotline when he left the house for groceries. Eventually, she and her three children and their pet dog, were able to leave. They are all now with 180 at our Safe House. She will spend Mother’s Day with us this Sunday. Thanks to a few generous donors from our local community, all of our Moms at the Safe House will be receiving gift cards, chocolates, new pajamas, robes and slippers.
It takes an immense amount of courage to make the decision to leave an abusive situation during any day of the year – but consider the obstacles that the pandemic has brought and a difficult situation is only exacerbated.For all of our courageous Moms -those in the Safe House and those hundreds of others in Monmouth County who are receiving our supportive services, please consider a donation to 180 this Mother’s Day weekend. You can donate online at: https://180nj.org/give-help/mothers-day-donations/ or you can donate through your mobile device by texting 180MOMS to 41-444. Your generosity enables us to change lives and allows us to keep our life-saving programs mobilized throughout the pandemic.
Thank you so much for your support and belief in our mission. We wish each of you a wonderful, safe and peaceful Mother’s Day with your family.