Spring 2016 - Center for Hope and Safety

— Celebrating 40 Years —
Spring 2016
Celebrating 40 Years of Success
T
his year, Center for Hope and Safety embarks on its 40th
Anniversary of providing “Safety, Strength, and Hope” to
victims of domestic violence and their children in Bergen
County. Over the past 40 years, you have helped us grow from a
tiny grassroots organization into a professional social services
agency. With your help, we have been able to empower many
women and their families to live lives free of violence.
If our walls could talk, they would tell many stories of abuse
survived and overcome. Following are stories of some of our
clients that you, our donors, have helped establish a solid
foundation to lead productive, fulfilling lives.
Susan and her two children came to the
shelter with only the clothing on their backs,
after her husband attacked her with a kitchen
knife, the culmination of years of abuse.
Through much hard work and the constant
encouragement of the agency’s counselors,
Susan was hired as a computer programmer
and Susan and her two children were able to
move into their own home. Today, Susan
volunteers in her community as an advocate
against abusive behavior.
intensified, Olivia and her children came to the shelter. The legal
advocate accompanied her to court to obtain a temporary
restraining order. The family received counseling in the shelter
and was given the opportunity to live safely in our transitional
housing program. Since Olivia’s nursing license had expired, the
career counselor helped her enroll in a recertification program. A
year-and-a-half later, Olivia was recertified as a nurse and received
a donated car so she could commute to work and care for her
sons. One of the boys was enrolled in a special school for learning
disabilities and all of the boys were partnered with mentors which
made it possible for them to finally be able to participate in afterschool activities.
THANK YOU
from the many women
and children who are
unable to express their
appreciation publicly to
you, our supporters.
You were key in
rebuilding their lives.
Olivia, the mother of three teenage boys, endured many
years of violence from her husband and tried desperately to
protect her sons from their father’s abuse. Despite numerous
escape attempts, the boys were tracked down by their father at
school and Olivia was stalked at the hospital where she worked as
a nurse. Finally, after the violence escalated and the danger
Sally was 8-years old when she came to
the shelter with her mother and two baby
brothers, ages 2 and 1. She was a witness to
repeated domestic violence in her home.
When the family came to the shelter, her
mother could barely walk because her abuser
had broken her legs. The 8-year old became
the ongoing caretaker to the two baby brothers
as well as provided emotional support to her
mother. She did her chores without
complaining, but often expressed her wishes and dreams of being
able to play like a little girl. The one place where she felt she was
in control of her life was in the Art Therapy room. The therapist
actively worked on building a level of trust to help her increase
her ability to express her feelings about the abuse she, her mother,
and brothers had endured. The therapist worked on building her
self-esteem and a sense of empowerment through
Congressman Scott Garrett,
representative for the 5th
district of NJ, toured our
Rochelle Park Community
Center to learn more about
the agency’s programs.
Afterwards, he met with
staff to understand the
issues that domestic
violence survivors face.
(l-r): Congressman Scott
Garrett; Jeffrey Forster,
President, Board of Trustees;
Honorable Rose Heck, Trustee
and Julye Myner, Executive
Director.
Continued on page 7
inside
this issue
A Letter From the President
page 2
A Letter From the Executive Director
page 2
2015:
Making a Difference
page 3
Acknowledging
Our Community Partners
pages 5-6
A Letter From the President of the Board
40 Years Later, We’re Still Needed—and Still Here to Help
This year we celebrate our 40th anniversary.
And yes, we can celebrate, even in the face
of the grim realities of domestic violence,
because we make a difference, saving lives and
rebuilding lives. We don’t win every time, but
we are committed to the effort, and we are
energized and inspired by the countless success
stories of women and children who have
passed through our doors and have survived,
prevailed, and thrived.
“Husband Held in Killing.”
“Couple’s Past Called Non-violent.”
“Slain Wife Was Urged to Leave Husband.”
“Death by Hammer.”
The newspaper headlines unfolded day by day, like chapters in a
Greek tragedy—except for the unfortunate fact that this tragedy was
taking place in 2016, and in our own Bergen County community.
The tragedy of Luisa Pleger, 47, is one that has played out too many
times in our own backyard—at least 20 domestic violence deaths in
the county in the past 3 years. The victims were as young as 5, as old
as 82. They lived down the street from us in places like Waldwick,
Hackensack, Edgewater, Midland Park, North Arlington, Englewood.
After 4 years as a member of the agency’s Board of Trustees, it is
now my privilege and honor to serve as President. You will not find
a staff more professional, more competent, more devoted, or more
passionate and energized about their work than the good people we
have here at CHS, led for 30 years by Elaine Meyerson and now by
our new Executive Director, Julye Myner. That same spirit and
positive energy infuses every effort of our dedicated volunteers and
our board, who care deeply about the agency and the needs we
address in the community.
For every headline there are many more people who suffer in silence,
whether the abuse is physical, verbal, emotional, or economic. The
good news—and thank goodness for good news—is that help is
available right here, at the Center for Hope and Safety. If we had
our own newspaper we would run a front-page headline every day
that says, “Call us. We’re here for you.”
Please join us as we celebrate 40 years of caring and commitment and
rededicate ourselves to our mission. We’ll hope to see you at our
Sapphire Gala on Monday, April 18, at the Venetian in Garfield.
For the past 40 years, we have been here to provide shelter in the
moment of crisis. But today, in 2016, we offer much, much more.
Not just a roof over one’s head, but also the building blocks of a
new life of self-sufficiency and a solid foundation for a life free from
violence. Thanks to the support we receive from government agencies
and generous donors, we can now assist people who don’t need
emergency shelter but do need help—legal advocacy, safety planning,
housing alternatives, job-readiness training, educational opportunities,
support groups, mentoring, therapy for children, and more.
Let’s remember that every life saved, every spirit lifted, every heart
encouraged, every individual empowered, is a victory. Here’s to
many more.
President, Board of Trustees
A Letter From the Executive Director
Moving Forward, from Strength to Strength
Center for Hope and Safety (CHS) is a
remarkable organization with a talented and
dedicated staff as well as a caring and committed
Board of Trustees. We are well equipped to
continue to address the enduring issue of
domestic violence in our community and grow
to enhance our ability to do so.
• Center for Hope and Safety annually responds to over 6,000
hotline callers.
• These numbers barely scratch the surface; countless others
remain unreported.
Thanks to the strong support of the many donors who contributed to
our successful capital campaign, we are now utilizing our new
Community Center in Rochelle Park to expand our services and reach
out to more victims who are suffering in silence, helpless and hopeless.
There is still much work to do…
• Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women —
With a government grant and the generous support of Judy Taub
Gold, we are now implementing our first in-house Legal Services
Program. The Center’s legal services will help victims with serious
personal matters such as protective orders, custody, and child support.
This type of assistance presents them with real, long-term alternatives
to their abusive relationships.
more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined.
• The police in New Jersey report over 64,000 domestic violence
offenses per year.
• More than 3,500 incidents of domestic violence are reported
to Bergen County police departments each year.
Continued on page 7
2
2015: MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Your support drove major successes this past year. As these numbers
demonstrate, together we make a difference in the lives of families
who are victimized by domestic violence.
102
126
women received
emergency shelter and
transitional housing
children received
emergency shelter and
transitional housing
271
63
families received
Outreach / Multicultural
Services
4,011
6,230
non-shelter
children served
in Project CHILD
183
families received
Follow-Up Services
people in the community received
domestic violence education
hotline calls answered
3
467
families served by our
DCP&P / Domestic
Violence Liaison
Counselors
Our 2015 Golf Classic Was a Winner
Blue skies, autumn foliage and a high level of enthusiasm made our Golf Classic at Edgewood Country Club in River Vale a perfect day! A
cocktail hour, dinner and a silent auction rounded out the day. A special thanks to our dedicated golf committee - Jon Manos, Chair, and
committee members BethAnn Iapicco and Pat Roque - who helped make this a fabulous day for all. Center for Hope and Safety would especially
like to thank the following sponsors who helped make this a successful event:
Tee Sponsors
Air Brook
Arons & Solomon, PA
KratosPSS
Law Offices of Thomas A. Buonocore, PC
Malesardi, Quackenbush, Swift & Co. LLC
Scirocco Group, Inc.
Women’s Golf Association of NJ
Closest to the Pin Sponsors
OritaniBank Charitable Foundation
Sanzari Companies
Longest Drive Sponsor
Bergen Fence
Putting Green Contest Sponsors
Shelby and Al Klein
powersolution.com
Refreshment Sponsor
Crestron Electronics, Inc.
Top row:
1. Gianna Rojas, Drew Berman, Alex Roque and Pat Roque
2. Patricia Arnold and Diane Scriveri
3. Pam Harrison, Pauli Maniscalki and Janet Blaustein
Far Right:
Christopher Gillon, Betsy Gillon, Melissa Feldstein and Dan Feldstein
Bottom Row:
1. Ron Shaljian, Jim Dronzek, Bob Andrews and Joe Dunne
2. Steve Rubenstein, Boyd Adelman, Bob Satkowski and Larry Meyerson
3. Glen Kiefer, Chris Kirch, Kevin Kirch and Peter Kirch
4
Birdie Sponsor
Haymarket Media, Inc.
Golf Cart Sponsor
Crestron Electronics, Inc.
Lunch Sponsor
Inserra ShopRite Supermarkets
Golf Shirt Sponsor
Gail Steinel
Acknowledging Our Community Partners
KeHE Distributors, LLC provided funding for
necessary repairs in the emergency shelter. They
purchased a new stove when the existing one
was beyond repair. They then replaced the old
linoleum floor with industrial wood flooring.
The agency was the recipient of one of the
playhouses built by Habitat for Humanity of
Bergen County. The playhouse was placed at
one of our transitional homes.
For the fourth year in a row, Jack and Jill,
Bergen-Passaic Chapter, provided a Madinah
Grier Day of Community Service which
included: “Welcome” baskets for women
moving into their own apartments; First Night
kits complete with sheet set, pillow, towel,
washcloths and toiletries; and cooked dinner.
Irena Dimitroski, Director of Follow-Up
Services, organized the school supplies
donated by our many supporters. The
supplies were for the children in our
emergency shelter, our transitional homes,
Project CHILD and Follow-Up Services.
For the fourth year in a row, Jersey Women
Strong provided turkeys and sides for over
125 of our clients.
Thank you to all our volunteers who wrapped
gifts at area stores during the holidays to raise
awareness and funds for the agency! Pictured
are students from Lyndhurst High School at
Paramus Park Mall.
Since 2007, Jack Weldin has brought a truckload
of holiday gifts for our clients. He has collected
toys and gifts for the women and children from
individuals, churches, schools and organizations.
(l-r) Lil Corcoran, Associate Executive Director;
Jack Weldin; and Carolyn Folickman, Child-Care
Worker.
Martha Harvey (far left) and Sharp Electronics
Corporation employees organized a winter
coat drive for our women and children,
collecting over 250 coats. The women and
children had a great time “shopping” for
their winter coats.
The children in the emergency shelter look
forward to their monthly visits from their canine
friends from the Alliance of Therapy Pets.
Visit www.hopeandsafetynj.org to learn about our services, how you can help and agency news
5
P
Acknowledging Our Community Partners
rivate and corporate grant funding, along with government support
and individual donations, help us bring critical services to families at
Center for Hope and Safety. The following grant funding was
received to assist with our mission:
Center for Hope and Safety Programs
The Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation
Helping Hands
Center for Hope and Safety receives many generous donations from local
and corporate businesses, organizations, and individuals. Although we
cannot list each important donor, in addition to the grantors listed on this
page, the following are significant contributions from August 1, 2015 through
February 15, 2016.
$10,000
Thank you!
Art Therapy Program
Walmart
$500
Children’s Program
CME Group Community Foundation
OritaniBank Charitable Foundation
The Giants Foundation, Inc.
Community Outreach Program
Bloomingdale’s
$10,000 and above
A Friend
Anonymous
Gregory and DeBorah Brill
Flora and David Perskie
Ann Marie Snyder
Gail Steinel
Supporter
Judy Taub Gold
$7,500
$25,000
$2,500
$2,000
Emergency Shelter Program
Eastern Bergen County Board of Realtors
Mary Kay Foundation
$5,000
$20,000
Project CHILD Program
Becton, Dickinson and Company
Provident Bank Foundation
Temple Sinai of Bergen County
$10,000
$2,500
$1,500
Project Self-Sufficiency Program
Gertrude L. Hirsch Charitable Trust
Verizon Wireless
$5,000
$19,500
Transitional Housing Program
Avon Foundation
Church of the Atonement
Lillian P. Schenck Fund
PSEG Foundation
The Woman’s Club of Ridgewood
$12,000
$1,100
$11,000
$5,000
$1,300
$5,000–$9,999
Anonymous
Judy and Mark Buono
The Esteve Family
Gail Keppler
$1,000-$4,999
A Friend
All Saints Episcopal Church
Annitti Enterprises
Anonymous
Beacon Converters, Inc.
Janet Blaustein
Jodi Brenner
Cathedral of St. John the
Theologian
Chef Central of Paramus
Lori and Gary Cohen
Nancy Corcoran-Davidoff and
Barry Davidoff
Crestron Electronics, Inc.
DaVita
Nora and Brian Dowd
Dronzek Family
John Esposito
FIRST for Women Magazine
First Presbyterian Church of
Rutherford
Sandra and Allen Fleisig
Jeffrey and Cynthia Forster
Eva Gans
Darlene and Tom Gesell
Eileen Golden
Kristin Halvey
Atina Harley-Boyce
Jersey Women Strong
K-Deer Inc.
KeHE Distributors, LLC
Elaine’s Empowerment Fund for Women
In recognition of Elaine K. Meyerson’s 29-year legacy at the helm
of Center for Hope and Safety, the Board of Trustees established
Elaine’s Empowerment Fund for Women. The monies raised will be
used to support women on their journey to self-sufficiency and a life
free from violence. Donations can be made on our website or sent to:
12 Overlook Avenue, Ste. A, Rochelle Park, NJ 07662.
$500-$999 cont’d
Jane and Michael Murphy
New Milford-Teaneck
BPOE #2290
Brigid and Kevin O’Brien
PBA Local 221
The Presbyterian Church in
Leonia
Sharen Pyne-Weissman
Ridgewood United Methodist
Church
Cindy Saidel and Stephen Donofrio
Nita Silverman Goodgal
Sisterhood of Fair Lawn
Jewish Center
Supporter
The Talland-Mahanthappa Family
Woman’s Club of Lyndhurst
Paul K. Yoon
6
Randy Lyn Ketive
Leeann King
Shelby and Al Klein
Knights of Columbus,
Council 3962
Barbara and Michael Kurman
Maryrose and Bill McInerney
Linda Mohr
Stefanie and Mohan Nair
Susan and John O’Dwyer
Old Paramus Reformed Church
Estelle Padawer
RealSource Association of Realtors
Bernard and Ann Marie Saccaro
Marilyn Sandler
Sisters on the Runway Club
St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church
Paula and Alvin Star
Barbara and Robert Stillwell
Supporter
Elissa and Constantino Suriano
Waldwick Chamber of Commerce
$500-$999
A Friend
Anonymous
Anne and William Baretz
Sheila Bernstein
Erica and Larry Bjork
The Community Church in
Harrington Park
Elisa DePalma
Jennifer Fitzgibbon and
Debbie O’Connell
Carol Susan and Kenneth Forester
Carol and Leon Greff
Kathy and David Grubb
Julie Hamilton & Fredric
Rosenberg
Heryanto family
Insurance Center of North Jersey
Patricia Jensen
Phyllis and Mark Kesslen
Klaus Kretschmer
Patricia and Paul Lewis
Cheryl List
Malesardi, Quackenbush, Swift &
Company LLC
Mom’s Mission
Celebrating 40 Years of Success... Continued from page 1
creative art projects as well as play therapy
sessions. She began to resolve feelings of fear
and depression and increased the level of trust
in her mother’s efforts to keep her family safe.
Sally felt good again to do her “job” as an 8year old child.
Rebecca, a veteran with 5 years of service
in the military and several deployments and
decorations under her belt, did not envision
civilian life to be a greater battle: having her
life threatened by her new boyfriend. The
shelter provided a sanctuary, and a plethora of
support. Thus regenerated, Rebecca needed
little push to re-establish her life. Counseling
and support groups reinforced her innate
independence, and she soon moved into one
of the transitional homes where she could
enjoy safety. With the help of her career
counselor, she created a portfolio that
highlighted her military achievements and
transitioned into a civilian career in
corrections that capitalized on her credentials.
Samantha, for three years, kept the
agency’s hotline number in her wallet. After
surviving yet another scary night when she
and her children thought they would not
survive, Samantha called the shelter. She
stayed for two months while she commuted
to her job in New York City and her children
commuted to school. They soon learned they
were not alone. Samantha credits the support
and encouragement she received at the shelter
with helping her make permanent changes in
her life. A year after she left the shelter,
Samantha opened her own business.
Nadine worked with the Project SelfSufficiency (PSS) counselor in the shelter to
research, select, and enroll in a Certified
Home Health Aide Training Course. PSS was
able to successfully advocate for funding to
cover the cost of the program through a
privately subsidized shelter fund. Nadine
successfully completed the course and
received her certification. The PSS counselor
and Nadine worked together to incorporate
her new accomplishments into a professional
resume that also highlighted her previous
work history as a Home Health Aide before
receiving the certification. PSS has a
relationship with a local Home Health Care
agency and inquired if the agency was hiring.
The agency informed PSS that they did have
positions available. Nadine faxed a copy of
her new resume and a professional cover letter
that she and her PSS counselor created. Also,
her counselor assisted her in completing the
online application for employment. After the
agency contacted Nadine to arrange an
interview, her PSS counselor discussed and
practiced interviewing skills with her. Nadine
was fully prepared and had an extremely
successful interview - she was hired by the
Home Health Care Agency.
A Letter From the Executive Director ... Continued from page 2
Along with our new Legal Services Program,
we are bolstering staff in our Outreach and
Multicultural Services Program, with the
support from another government grant and
private donations, to increase accessibility to
our services for underserved and marginalized
populations. Moreover, a Bergen County
Community Development Block Grant is
making possible the installation of a lift in
our Community Center, making the site
accessible to all.
Services for victims residing in our
transitional homes are also growing to
better help them achieve self-sufficiency.
Transitional Housing Program staff is
expanding so that we can more effectively
move victims through their healing process,
develop their personal goals and vocational
plans, as well as work toward finding them
affordable or subsidized permanent housing.
To strengthen these services, we are
developing strategic partnerships with other
community organizations: Women’s Rights
Information Center (WRIC) will soon be
providing job-readiness training to our
clients; and Greater Bergen Community
Action, Inc. (GBCA), financial literary
training. As a result, victims will be better
able to secure employment and reach
economic independence to support
themselves and their children, so that they do
not return to their abusers.
Being part of CHS, an impactful and thriving
organization, is a great privilege. I am
honored to be at the helm and behooved to
move it to new heights. All of your support
has been instrumental to CHS’ ability to do
its amazing work. It truly is a community
organization – supported by the community
to help the community. I look forward to
continuing to partner, with each and every
one of you, to turn fear into safety,
helplessness into strength, and isolation into
hope for all victims of domestic violence in
our community.
Executive Director
The agency
held its 3rd
Annual Vigil
last October in
Van Saun
County Park,
Paramus, to
remember
Bergen
County’s victims
of domestic
violence.
7
We Need Your Help For Our Annual Picnic
Each year we hold a family picnic for all of our clients.
To make this a fun day for all, we need volunteers to
work the day of the picnic and donations of food,
carnival prizes, raffle items and more. If you can help
us, please contact Gervonn Rice at 201-527-6273 or
[email protected]
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NON-PROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 1818
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ
y
12 OVERLOOK AVE, SUITE A
ROCHELLE PARK, NJ 07662
Officers
William P. McInerney, Esq.
Kimberly Moussavian
Cynthia A. Myer
Flora W. Perskie, MPA
Paul Yoon, Esq.
President
Jeffrey Forster
Vice President
Gail P. Steinel
Secretary
Staff
Shelby Klein, LSW
Executive Director
Julye Myner, PhD
Treasurer
Paula M. Star
Immediate Past President
Susan O’Dwyer
Board of Trustees
Miriam Batkin, MBA
Nancy R. Corcoran-Davidoff
James Dronzek, Esq.
Desirae Marie Harden
Hon. Rose M. Heck
Director of Development
Jean Kirch
Newsletter
Editors andWriters
Jeffrey Forster
Jean Kirch
Julye Myner, PhD
~ ~ ~~ C A L E N D A R
HOW TO REACH US:
Administrative Office: 201-498-9247 n 12 Overlook Ave., Ste. A n Rochelle Park, NJ 07662
Julye Myner, PhD, Executive Director n Jean Kirch, Director of Development
Shelter Program Office: 201-836-1075 n 24-Hour Hotline: 201-944-9600
email: [email protected] n Website: www.hopeandsafetynj.org
OF
UPCOMING EVENTS ~~ ~~
Center for Hope and Safety
Invites You to Participate In Our
Golf Classic
Thursday, June 2nd
449 Rivervale Rd.
River Vale, NJ 07675
Sponsorship opportunities are available.
For more details on the above events visit: www.hopeandsafetynj.org