Summer 2015 - Womanspace

Summer 2015
NEWS
A publication of Womanspace, Inc., a non-profit ­organization
serving women and children in crisis.
Womanspace Honors Minh Dang with the 21st
Annual Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award
Womanspace’s Most Successful BBS Award in History!
On Thursday, May 14, Womanspace honored
Human rights activist Minh Dang at our
21st Annual Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award
Ceremony at the Hyatt Regency in Princeton.
The 21st purple rose award was presented to
Dang for her courageous efforts to stop human
trafficking. As a former victim of sex slavery
herself, Dang strives to raise awareness about
this topic and give voice to those who are still
suffering in silence.
Address Service Requested
Recent Grant Awards
Volunteer Spotlight
Denim Day
possible.
Dr. Husseini
Manji, Global head of
Neuroscience with Janssen,
our presenting sponsor,
took the stage to speak
about human trafficking
and the courageous
journey that Minh has
been on since childhood.
Emergency Services Yoga Instructor
Abby Sher, author and
close friend of Ms. Dang’s,
introduced her friend to
the audience discussing
how they met while Sher
was writing a book about human trafficking.
She also spoke about how Minh doesn’t want
to be considered a hero, rather she wants to
shed light on the atrocities of human trafficking
and advocate for innocent children all over the
world who can’t advocate for themselves.
Deaf Advocacy Training
It was a poignant and memorable moment
when our honorary chair, Cokie Roberts
introduced the evening from her desk at ABC
news on the large screen. Roberts, is Barbara
Boggs Sigmund’s sister, as well as being ABC
News Political Commentator. Cokie helped to
welcome everyone to the 21st Annual Barbara
Boggs Sigmund Award Ceremony, as she spoke
about Minh and Human Trafficking effects on
our country and beyond. Ms. Roberts stated
that; More than four million women and
Ms. Dang then took the microphone and
children have been sold into the sex trade stunned everyone by singing, “We Shall
which is an estimated $32 billion business.
Overcome,” by Pete Seeger. Gazing around
Kristin Keller, Womanspace Board President the room, there was not a dry eye in the house.
thanked our supportive sponsors, without Minh Dang has overcome and she is now free
whom the evening would not have been but the cost of freedom is never easy. Minh’s
Womanspace, Inc.
1530 Brunswick Avenue
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
(609) 394-0136
Inside This Issue:
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
TRENTON, NJ
PERMIT #1060
The BedFinder App
Requested Donations from
Response Team
Save the Date: Annual Meeting,
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Deaf Fest
speech forever changed every single person in
the audience. Her powerful words left a lasting
impact. Minh has been through unspeakable
horrors at the hands of her own parents.
Despite this, she has come out the other side
triumphantly. Now, while working at building
herself up, she also strives to help others and
keep them from experiencing the same horrors
that she was forced to endure.
Ms. Pat Hart, Womanspace Executive Director,
and Stephen Sigmund, the son of Barbara Boggs
Sigmund presented the BBS award to Minh, as
Womanspace’s 21st BBS award honoree.
This event raised over $130,000, for
Womanspace to continue providing care to
victims and survivors of domestic violence,
sexual assault and human trafficking. This
event was made possible by Womanspace’s
generous sponsors: Janssen Pharmaceutical
Research and Development LLC, Capital Health
Hospital, Bloomberg, Verizon Wireless, Novo
Nordisk, Macy’s, Robin Gosnell, Wells Fargo, New
Jersey Manufacturers, Moxie Woman Magazine,
Peeq Media, Packet Media Group, Johnson &
Johnson Consumer Companies, Digital Dog
Direct, Corporate Graphics, Hermitage Press
and The Times of Trenton.
2015 Barbara Boggs Sigmund
Award Event
Womanspace offers services to male
and LGBTQ clients
In Social Media News
Emergency Shelter Wish List
Response Team Sign-ups
Upcoming events
Mercer County 24-Hour Domestic Violence
& Sexual Assault Hotline 609 394-9000
Text Message Hotline available 24/7 for the
deaf and hard of hearing at 609-619-1888.
NJ Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-572-SAFE
Counseling & Support Services
(609) 394-2532
Womanspace
Safe House
Yoga Instructor
In June 2015, Womanspace started offering yoga
classes to our safe house clients. Yoga, being a
practice of mental, physical and spiritual health has
helped our client’s discipline themselves in a new
way. Our yoga instructor Greta came to us to share
her love of yoga with the Womanspace community.
She is deeply grateful for this unique opportunity to
help our clients recover and form a better state of
wellbeing. Since 2009, Greta has completed over 500
hours of training in various styles of yoga asana and
currently teaches in the Princeton area. Her classes
are tailored to all levels of fitness experience and are
restorative in nature. Greta has designed the classes
to give her students an experience of energizing
relaxation through gentle movement and breathing.
Namaste!
Volunteer
Spotlight
Congratulations to our volunteer Simon Shore
on winning the 29th Annual Cherish the Children
Award in the youth division. Every year, individuals
are nominated by the Mercer County Commission
on Abused, neglected, and missing children for
their outstanding commitment and services that
enhance physical, emotional, and social well-being
of the children in Mercer County. Simon’s dedication
to this program won him the award. As a student
at The Lawrenceville School, he has shown strong
leadership skills in every project he focuses on and
surpasses the rest by setting goals and developing
new strategies. Womanspace is honored to have this
remarkable young man as one of our volunteers
and supporters.
History of Denim Day: In 1998 the Italian Supreme
Court overturned a rape conviction because the victim
was wearing tight jeans at the time of the assault. The
judge stated that the victim must have helped her
attacker remove her jeans, from which they inferred
consent. People all around the world were outraged.
Wearing jeans on this anniversary became an
international symbol of protest against erroneous and
destructive attitudes about sexual violence. Wearing
tight jeans is not a crime and never an invitation for
rape! Womanspace showed their support for Denim
day and took a stand against sexual violence.
Womanspace counseling and administrative office
supported denim day and took a stand against
sexual violence.
The ladies at Rider University’s Health Department
Supported Denim day!
A very enthusiastic group of women from the
L’Oreal Company helped out at Womanspace’s safe
house in an effort to give back to the community.
This efficient team of volunteers spent the majority
of their time in the shelter’s basement, sorting and
organizing our donations, including those in the
toy department, the arts and crafts section, and
the food pantry. Their hard work and perseverance
made a tremendous difference in our safe house.
Thank you L’Oreal for supporting Womanspace!
Denim Day
Womanspace safe house staff showing their support
for Denim Day!
Requested Donations from the
DVVRT and SASS Response Teams
Bottled Water
Tissues
Individually packed snacks
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Long & short sleeve shirts for women
Leggings for women
Sweat pants for women
DVDs for children
Door Stoppers
Diapers (not newborn please)
These items are needed to stock the team rooms in police stations and hospitals. For
more information, contact Heidi Mueller, dvvrt@womanspace.org or Alison Daks,
sass@womanspace.org .
2015 Womanspace
Wing Eating Contest
Thank you to everyone who stuffed their face to raise money for Womanspace!
This annual event held at McGuinn’s Place in Lawrenceville, NJ was a huge success
and raised over $500 for Womanspace. The event was filled with great food, music
and good company. Congratulations to our 2015 wing winner!
Recent Grants
Wells Fargo $10,000 for Transitional
Housing:
Thank you to Wells Fargo for a $10,000 grant for
our transitional housing program. The primary
focus of the Transitional Housing Assistance
Program is to provide aid to victims of sexual assault,
domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking,
particularly those who are homeless or in need of
transitional housing and supportive services. Our
transitional program addresses emotional needs,
financial stability, resolution of legal concerns, and child care options. The program also focuses
on educational goals or job readiness skills as the women work towards self sufficiency.
UUCP- $1,000 for counseling books:
Thank you to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton for providing us $1,000 to
replenish the supply of books for our counseling program. Therapists rely on several publications
to assist in the process of administering counseling to survivors of domestic violence. These
books not only provide support, information and validation to our clients, but also they help
clients explore difficult questions and provide practical advice. Counselors at Womanspace
provide these books to every new client that comes in for domestic violence counseling.
Merancas: $75,000 General Operating Support:
Womanspace is delighted to be the recipient of $75,000 in general operating support from
the Merancas Foundation, Inc. The Merancas Foundation has been a longtime partner of
Womanspace and we are extremely grateful for their ongoing support.
Sucharow Family Charitable Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation of
Greater Mercer $1,500 for General Operating Support:
Thank you to the Sucharow Family Charitable Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation of
Greater Mercer for the $1,500 in general operating support.
Lawrence Township Community Foundation $850 for our
Deaf Advocacy Project:
The Lawrence Township Community Foundation recently awarded Womanspace $850 for
essential equipment for our Deaf Advocacy Project, including a new iPhone and iPad. The
iPhone will allow us to have a dedicated phone number at our counseling office that allows Deaf
and hard of hearing clients to contact us through texting. Also, both the iPhone and iPad will
allow clients in our shelter, temporary housing or counseling programs to utilize Video Relay
Service (VRS). VRS enables persons with hearing disabilities who use American Sign Language,
to communicate with voice telephone users through video equipment.
Blackrock Charitable Grant $5,000 for our Deaf Advocacy Project:
Blackrock has partnered with Womanspace to help fund our newest program, the Deaf
Advocacy Project. Thank you Blackrock for your commitment of $5,000 to this important
program. While emerging research shows that rates of sexual and domestic violence are notably
higher in the Deaf community, Deaf survivors face more barriers when reaching out for help.
The services designed to respond to domestic violence and sexual assault are not equipped to
meet the unique language and cultural needs of the Deaf community. As a result, Deaf and hard
of hearing victims and survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence are often unable to
safely flee from abuse, heal from the violence, and seek justice.
To help remedy this problem, Womanspace, working in collaboration with the NJ Association
for the Deaf, NJ Division of Deaf and Hard of Hearing, NJ Coalition for Battered Women, and
NJ Coalition Against Sexual Assault, has developed the Deaf Advocacy Project.
Zonta $1,500 for our Response Teams:
Womanspace is happy to announce that the Zonta Club of Trenton/Mercer has awarded
Womanspace with a $1,500 grant for our Sexual Assualt Support Services and Domestic Violence
Response Teams. When volunteer advocates respond to a police station to assist a victim of
domestic violence, they may spend many hours while statements are taken, evidence is processed
and arrangements are made to transport a victim to a safe place. Materials in the form of water,
snacks, facial tissue and sometimes clothing, must be replenished regularly. In the case of the
sexual assault advocates, they are often responding to a hospital where the victim’s personal
clothing must be turned over for evidence in a potential criminal case. Womanspace advocates
must provide sweat pants, shirts, sneakers and undergarments prior to the victim being released.
All of these items are consumables that must be replenished regularly.
Mary Owen Borden Foundation $15,000 for General Operating Support:
Womanspace would like to thank the Mary Owen Borden Memorial Foundation for the $15,000
grant for general operating support. We are extremely grateful for their ongoing partnership
with our organization.
Safe House's Pilot Program:
The BedFinder App
Last year, the New Jersey Department of
Children and Families, Polaris Project, and
Caravan Studios formed the Safe Shelter
Collaborative, and invited the Emergency
Services program of Womanspace and other
agencies to pilot BedFinder—an internetbased application connecting survivors of
human trafficking with emergency shelter
placement at domestic violence shelters
and residential programs in New Jersey. By
simplifying communication between partner
programs, in scant minutes, BedFinder
alerts the collaborative of a survivor’s need
for shelter, and those programs, in turn,
can quickly respond if they have available
space. In addition, BedFinder’s integrated
assessment tool virtually eliminates the
onerous, re-traumatizing process for a
survivor to do multiple screenings for
services. Staff of Emergency Services
has fielded and responded to BedFinder
requests since early April.
COL Launch
SAVE THE DATE:
The Womanspace Annual Meeting is
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
The Annual Meeting is your opportunity to exercise your membership rights. The
meeting includes the annual report on the state of the agency, election of the Board of
Directors, and recognition of Womanspace staff.
When:
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
12 to 2 pm
Where:
Congregation Beth Chaim
329 Village Road East
Princeton Jct., NJ 08550
Catering is provided by Pennington Quality Market.
Cost:
$35 per person
When:
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Register:
Register online at www.womanspace.org.
Please RSVP by Wednesday, October 13, 2015.
Where:
D&R Greenway Land Trust
1 Preservation Pl
Princeton, NJ 08540
To become a Womanspace member, or if you would like
to renew your membership, go to www.womanspace.org.
Time:
5:30
RSVP by October 20
Being honored for their service this year are:
10 Years:
Susan Victor
Evangela Williams
25 Years:
Isabel Medina De Rivera
5 Years:
Donna Zykto
Regina Smith
Kaila Most Clark
Womanspace Membership Campaign
It Starts Here™
Volunteers Needed:
October - December 2015
The lighting date is Monday, December 7, 2015.
To join our campaign, visit www.womanspace.org to download the COL volunteer form
and mail to 1530 Brunswick Ave, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648.
Have questions? Email saa@womanspace.org or call 609-394-0136.
Area and Street Coordinators:
Organize 1 or more streets in your immediate neighborhood. Distribute forms and
collect orders. Return orders and money to your Garage Coordinator or directly to
Womanspace. Pick up and distribute kits for your area.
Organization Coordinators:
Organize 1 or more streets in your immediate neighborhood. Distribute forms and
collect orders. Return orders and money to your Garage Coordinator or directly to
Womanspace. Pick up and distribute kits for your area.
I am committed to the mission of Womanspace
and want to support it by becoming a member.
ENCLOSED IS MY:
LIFE MEMBERSHIP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $300
anniversary MEMBERSHIP . . . .$150
Annual MEMBERSHIP... . . . . . . . . . $25
Student MEMBERSHIP. . . . . . . . . . .$10
Donation....... .............................................
Also included are gift memberships for:
LIFE MEMBERSHIP.......... . . . . . $300
anniversary MEMBERSHIP $150
Annual MEMBERSHIP. . . . . $25
Student MEMBERSHIP . . . . $10
Donation........................ . . . . . name:
My name:
Address:
City: State: Work phone: E-MAIL:
Enclosed is my (or my spouse) employer matching gift form.
Name:
Company:
Company:
Address: Address:
City:
State:
ZIP:
Home Phone: city:
ZIP:
State:
ZIp:
Make checks payable to: Womanspace, Inc., 1530 Brunswick Avenue, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
Tel. 609-394-0136 (All contributions are tax deductible as provided for by law.)
Womanspace Deaf Advocacy Project
In response to the strong belief that
we need to become more accessible to
the Deaf Community, the Deaf Advocacy
Project (DAP) was conceived. Piloted by
Womanspace in partnership with NJ Department of Human Services, Division of
Deaf and Hard of Hearing, NJ Coalition
for Battered Women, NJ Coalition Against
Sexual Assault and NJ Association of the
Deaf, the DAP will train Deaf Advocates
to respond to Deaf victims and survivors
of domestic violence and sexual assault.
The planning began a year ago and the
project is well under way with the recruitment of more than twenty volunteer
advocates. In May, the partnership hosted a three-day workshop with ongoing
training continuing into the Fall. The adRose, NJ Coalition for Battered Women; Liz, NJ Coalition Against Sexual Assault; Pat,
vocates will receive a total of 80 hours of
Womanspace; Megan, Womanspace; Keri from the Deaf Vermonters and the training
advocacy training in both domestic viofacilitator; Michelle, NJ Association for the Deaf; Annemarie, committee member;
lence and sexual assault. After compleCatie, NJ Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
ting the pilot aspect of the project, the
All survivors of domestic violence face the same issue: abuse thrives in isolation. DAP will be available across the state of NJ to support victims and survivors that are deaf
This can be especially true for survivors of domestic violence who are Deaf or hard or hard of hearing. Below are the DAP’s mission and accompanying goals.
of hearing. Womanspace is committed to ensuring that all victims and survivors
Mission Statement
have equal access to support with immediacy. The information below can help
in identifying abuse and contacting Womanspace for assistance, text number
NJ Deaf Advocacy Project provides culturally sensitive advocacy, education and su(609)619-1888, (available 24/7).
pportive services to those impacted by domestic and/or sexual violence in the Deaf
Data from an eight-year survey of college students at Rochester Institute of Community.
Technology indicates that Deaf and hard of hearing individuals are 1.5 times more
Goals
likely to be victims of relationship violence including sexual harassment, sexual
1.
Educate
domestic
violence
and
sexual
assault advocates on the deaf culture and
assault, psychological abuse and physical abuse in their lifetime.
working with deaf survivors.
2. Educate the Deaf Community on domestic and sexual violence and its impact.
What might abuse in the Deaf Community look like?
3. Advocate for and empower individuals going through domestic and/or sexual
Deaf victims of domestic violence often face unique circumstances:
violence.
• Information can travel quickly within a Deaf, Deaf-blind, or hard of hearing
4. Provide linkages to services that are available to that individual.
community, compromising confidentiality and the victim’s safety.
5. Recruit domestic/sexual violence advocates from the Deaf Community.
6. Create a coordinated community response within the Deaf Community to
• Law enforcement and shelters are often not skilled at communicating with Deaf,
respond to the needs of Deaf Survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
Deaf-blind, or hard of hearing individuals and often don’t have interpreters.
• Their abusive partners may take away their communication devices.
If you are Deaf and/or fluent in American Sign Language and would like to join us in this
• Their abusive partners may give false information to the victim to make thembelie project, please contact Susan Adams saa@womanspace.org If you believe in this project
vethey have fewer options.
and would like to help us maintain the quality of the service please consider visiting our
• The victim may be isolated from family, friends, services, resources and options.
GoFundMe Link and contributing at http://www.gofundme.com/kjx8rc?fb_action_
ids=10205979071581097&fb_action_types=og.shares&fb_ref=fb_cr_n
According to DeafHope, these are some examples of what victims face
and the tactics abusive partners use to abuse the Deaf:
• Intimidation through gestures, facial expressions, or exaggerated signs, floor
stomping and pounding on the table or door
• Signing very close to a victim’s face when angry
• Criticizing the victim’s American sign language (ASL) skills or communication style
• Not informing the victim when people try to call on the phone or try to catch their
attention
• Excluding the victim from important conversations
• Leaving the victim out in social situations with hearing people
• Talking negatively about the Deaf community
• Wrongly interpreting to manipulate the situation if the police are called
• Not allowing children to use ASL to talk with the victim
• Not allowing children to be proud of deaf culture
• Criticizing the victim’s speech and English skills
Or you can send a donation to our offices and designate it for the Deaf Advocacy Project
at Womanspace.
*This information in this article is reprinted courtesy of The National Domestic
Violence Hotline
21st Annual Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award Event
Barbara Boggs Sigmund Event Committee pictured from left to right in the
back row: Joan Bartl, Pat Hart, Pamela Clarkson, Debbie Cacciabaudo, Linda
Cooper, Lauren Nazarian, Linda Verrault, Ellen Kemp, Ruth Miller, and Landis
Eaton. Front row from left to right: Rose Nini, Nikki Stern, Jan Noonan, Joanne
Coppola, Danielle Coppola, Minh Dang, Frances Zeitler, Joyce Rappeport, and
Dana Fraytak Troiano.
Assemblywoman Elizabeth Mouio and Christine Loackhammer.
Congratulations to our vacation raffle winner Anna Lustenberg, on winning a
vacation for two to either Punta Cana or Cancun. Have a fabulous vacation! In
the picture from left to right: Ruby Barbara Sigmund, Stephen Sigmund, Anna
Lustenberg, and Pat Hart.
Womanspace staff and volunteers gather around our handmade silent auction
item. Congratulations to Kathleen Russo on winning this one of a kind item.
Ms. Russo was kind enough to donate the quilt back to Womanspace to display
in our offices. 100% of the proceeds for the silent auction go to services for
Womanspace clients.
Our Honoree, Minh Dang,
with her good friend, author,
and presenter Abby Sher.
Dr. Husseini Manji, Global Head of
Neuroscience at Janssen Pharmaceuticals,
giving his speech.
Womanspace Board President, Kristin
Keller.
Womanspace Salutes Our 2015 Barbara Boggs Sigmund Sponsors
Joyce Rappeport’s table representing the Albin Family
Foundation. Benefactor and Vacation Raffle Sponsor.
Bronze Sponsor New Jersey Manufacturers, standing with
our Honoree Minh Dang.
Silver Sponsor Macy’s, with our Honoree Minh Dang.
Platinum Sponsor Robin Gosnell, joined by friends and
family.
Presenting Sponsor Janssen Pharmaceuticals, with our
Honoree Minh Dang.
Platinum Sponsor Verizon Wireless, enjoying their dinner.
Bronze
Sponsor Wells
Fargo, posing
with our
Honoree Minh
Dang.
Platinum Sponsor Bloomberg, showing their support for
Womanspace.
21st Annual Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award Event
Thank you to our Benefactor Sponsor, Doctors Express Urgent Care.
Thank you to the women of Blackrock for showing your support at
Womanspace’s 21st Annual Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award Event.
Thank you to Janssen Pharmaceuticals for being our Presenting
Sponsor and showing your support for Womanspace at out 21st
Annual Barbara Boggs Award Event.
Womanspace Board Members, Jigna Rao, Frances Zeitler, and Paula
Figueroa-Vega.
Minh Dang’s table enjoying the company of friends and family.
Womanspace Event Committee member Joanne Coppola and
husband Donald Coppola accompanied by their good friends.
Board President Kristin Keller and Mary Anne Greenberg.
Barbara Boggs Sigmund, the founder of Womanspace’s son Stephen
Sigmund with his daughter Ruby Barbara Sigmund.
Event Committee Member’s Ellen Kemp and Ruth Miller.
Womanspace was proud to honor this fearless individual, Minh
Dang. Dang declined to stand at the podium but rather she
preferred being among the people. She doesn’t want to be singled
out as a “hero” rather a human being like the rest of us. But, to the
rest of us she was the bravest person in that room. Minh brought
the crowd to tears and left a lasting impact that is still felt and will
be felt for years to come.
Womanspace Board Members. Top row from left to right: Kristin
Keller, Paula Figueroa-Vega, Joan Bartl, Pat Hart, Linda Cooper,
Jigna Rao, and Chris Bukosky. Bottom row from left to right:
Danielle Coppola, Rose Nini, Dana Fraytak Troiano, Minh Dang,
Frances Zeitler, and Joyce Rappeport.
Minh Dang joins an
extraordinary group of leaders
that have been honored…
Prior Womanspace Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award Honorees:
1995 –Cokie Roberts, Political correspondent, bestselling author and sister of
Barbara Boggs Sigmund
1996 –The Honorable Ann Richards, former Governor of Texas
1996 –Mary Alice Williams, Television anchorwoman and executive
1997 –Diane Sawyer, Investigative reporter and anchorwoman
1998 –Pat Ciarrocchi, Television anchorwoman and journalist
1999 –Anna Quindlen, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and author
2000 –Star Jones, Attorney, journalist and host of The View
The ladies of PNC Bank showing their support for Womanspace.
2001 –Ann, Pat & Sandy, Domestic Violence Survivors who appear in “Bridges to
Safety” video
2002 –The Honorable Lindy Boggs, former Ambassador and Congresswoman from
Louisiana and mother of Barbara Boggs Sigmund
2003 –Linda Fairstein, Former Chief of the Sex Crimes Unit of the Manhattan DA’s
office and bestselling author
2004 –Emily Mann, Emmy Award winning playwright and Artistic Director of
McCarter Theatre
2005 –Kent Manahan, Emmy Award winning senior news anchor, documentary
producer and host for NJ NETWORK
2006 –Nina Totenberg, National Public Radio’s award winning legal correspondent
2007 –Nell Merlino, Creative force of Take Our Daughters to Work Day, CEO of Count
Me In
2008 –Jean Kilbourne, Ed.D, Acclaimed author, lecturer and filmmaker
2009 –Nancy L. Snyderman, M.D., Renowned public health spokesperson, Chief
Medical Editor NBC News and bestselling author
Womanspace staff mingling and enjoying a night out on the town.
2010 –C. Vivian Stringer, Rutgers U. Women’s Basketball Head Coach, 1st Coach
to lead 3 different programs to NCAA Final Four, 2009 Naismith Memorial
Basketball Hall of Fame
2011 –Faith Ringgold, World-renowned artist and author
2012 –Stacey Patton, PhD, Distinguished author, journalist and child advocate
2013 –Lee Woodruff, best-selling author, journalist and advocate for injured veterans.
2014 –Joe Torre, Major League Baseball’s Executive Vice President of Baseball
Operations and chairman of the Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation.
Cheers to Womanspace! Three of the
members from our event committee Rose
Nini, Nikki Stern, and Debbie Cacciabaudo
enjoying a cocktail.
BBS Event Committee and Board Members Joanne
Coppola, Joyce Rappeport, Chris Bukosky and Danielle
Coppola.
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia showing their support for Womnspace.
Womanspace
Director of
Development,
Lauren Nazarian,
and Executive
Director, Pat
Hart, posing with
our Honoree
Minh Dang and
her friend Abby
Sher.
Womanspace offers services to male and
LGBTQ clients
Domestic violence is not a gender based issue, rather a power and control issue!
Statistics show that the majority of domestic violence
victims are women; however, men experience abuse
as well. On average, men are physically stronger
than women. But abuse isn’t categorized by physical
characteristics, rather the domination of one human
being over another. Domestic violence comes in many
forms, such as physical, emotional, financial; the list
is never ending. As long as there is power and control
dynamic, then domestic violence is present. Our agency
name is Womanspace, but we are open to help clients of
all genders. No matter your age, gender, or occupation,
we are here to help you escape abuse.
Help for abused men: You’re not alone
If you’re a man in an abusive relationship, it’s important
to know that you’re not alone. It happens to men from
all cultures and all walks of life. Figures suggest that as
many as one in three victims of domestic violence are
male. However, men are often reluctant to report abuse
because they feel embarrassed, or they fear they won’t
be believed, or worse, that police will assume that since
they’re male they are the perpetrator of the violence and
not the victim.
Some examples of Domestic Violence are:
• Verbally abuse you, belittle you, or humiliate you
in front of friends, colleagues, or family, or on social
media sites.
• Be possessive, act jealous, or harass you with
accusations of being unfaithful.
• Take away your car keys or medications, try to
control where you go and who you see.
• Try to control how you spend money or deliberately
default on joint financial obligations.
• Make false allegations about you to your friends,
employer, or the police, or find other ways to manipulate
and isolate you.
• Threaten to leave you and prevent you from seeing
your kids if you report the abuse.
If you’re gay, bisexual, or transgender
You can experience domestic violence if you’re in a
relationship with someone who:
• Threatens to tell friends, family, colleagues, or
community members your sexual orientation or gender
identity
• Tells you that authorities won't help a gay, bisexual,
or transgender person
10
• Tells you that leaving the relationship means you're
admitting that gay, bisexual, or transgender relationships
are deviant
• Justifies abuse by telling you that you're not ‹really›
gay, bisexual, or transgender
• Says that men are naturally violent
Source: Mayo Clinic
Help for abused men: Why men don’t leave
Many people have trouble understanding why
a woman who is being abused by her husband or
boyfriend doesn’t simply just leave him. When the roles
are reversed, and the man is the victim of the abuse,
people are even more bemused. However, anyone who’s
been in an abusive relationship knows that it’s never
that simple. Ending a relationship, even an abusive one,
is rarely easy.
You may feel that you have to stay in the relationship
because:
• You want to protect your children. You worry
that if you leave your spouse will harm your children
or prevent you from having access to them. Obtaining
custody of children is always challenging for fathers, but
even if you are confident that you can do so, you may
still feel overwhelmed at the prospect of raising them
alone.
• You feel ashamed. Many men feel great shame that
they’ve been beaten down by a woman or failed in their
role as protector and provider for the family.
• Your religious beliefs dictate that you stay or your
self-worth is so low that you feel this relationship is all
you deserve.
• There's a lack of resources. Many men have
difficulty being believed by the authorities, or their
abuse is minimized because they’re male, and can find
few resources to help abused men.
• You're in a same sex relationship but haven't come
out to family or friends, and are afraid your partner will
out you.
• You're in denial. Just as with female domestic
violence victims, denying that there is a problem in
your relationship will only prolong the abuse. You may
believe that you can help your abuser or she may have
promised to change. But change can only happen once
your abuser takes full responsibility for her behavior
and seeks professional treatment.
Help for abused men: Finding support
For tips on safely leaving an abusive relationship
See Help for Abused and Battered Women. While it’s
written specifically for women, the emotional issues are
similar so can be helpful to men as well.
Domestic violence and abuse can have a serious
physical and psychological impact on both you and
your children. The first step to stopping the abuse is to
reach out. Talk to a friend, family member, or someone
else you trust, or call a domestic violence helpline.
Admitting the problem and seeking help doesn’t mean
you have failed as a man or as a husband. You are not to
blame, and you are not weak. As well as offering a sense
of relief and providing some much needed support,
sharing details of your abuse can also be the first step
in building a case against your abuser and protecting
your kids.
Help for abused men: Moving on from an
abusive relationship
Support from family and friends as well as counseling,
therapy, and support groups for domestic abuse survivors
can help you move on from an abusive relationship. You
or your children may struggle with upsetting emotions
or feel numb, disconnected, and unable to trust other
people. After the trauma of an abusive relationship, it
can take a while to get over the pain and bad memories
but you can heal and move on.
Even if you’re eager to jump into a new relationship
and finally get the intimacy and support you’ve been
missing, it’s wise take things slowly. Make sure you’re
aware of any red flag behaviors in a potential new partner
and what it takes to build healthy, new relationships.
Resources and references
Advice and support help lines for abused men
In the U.S. and Canada: Call The National Domestic
Violence Hotline at 1-888-799-7233.
Worldwide: Visit SAFE for a list of crisis hotlines,
shelters, and other resources or International Director
of Domestic Violence Agencies.
Advice and support for gay men who’ve been abused
In the U.S.: Call Gay Men's Domestic Violence Project
at 1-800-832-1901.
This article was reprinted from http://www.helpguide.org/
articles/abuse/help-for-abused-men.htm
Requested Donations
As much as every donation is greatly appreciated, space is a limiting factor.
We only accept new clothing and shoes.
Gift Cards are always at the top of our list because they allow a client to choose the
items she needs for herself and her family. Gift cards to Shop Rite, Acme, Target,
Wal-Mart and gas stations are most helpful.
General Shelter Needs:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
New mocha color decorative window shades: (3) size 35 x 64, (12)size 30 x 64
New twin size bed in a bag comforter sets (6 kid sets, 19 adult sets)
New zippered twin size mattress covers (25)
19” Flat Screen TV
Lamps (5)
3 drawer storage cart (25) – Large enough to store clothes
Plexiglas hanging mirrors (8)
Commercial stove – 30”
New Towels
New Wash cloths
Umbrellas
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Women’s new undergarments, size small to 2x
Soap or body wash for sensitive skin (full size)
Deodorant (full size)
Iron (heavy duty)
Tooth brushes
Heavy duty hair blow dryer
Dove, Tone, Caress Body Wash
Pantene Shampoo & Conditioner
Cream of Nature Shampoo & Conditioner
Large hair combs
Lotion (full size)
Razors
New Women’s sweat suits
New Women’s long & short sleeve shirts
New Women’s flip flops
Ankle Socks
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
New single and double stroller
Umbrella strollers (6)
New toddler & infant rear facing car seats
Baby's bottle washer brush (6)
Toddler's Sippi Cups (drinking cups)
New clothes for boys and girls, sizes 7-16
New clothes for teen girls, Junior sizes 3-17
New undergarments for children, sizes 2t-16
Summer PJs
DVDs for children
Diapers (All sizes needed EXCEPT newborn)
Women’s Needs:
Children’s Needs:
Counseling Tools, Client Activities & Team Room Needs:
• Gift cards to AC Moore, Michael’s, Joann Fabrics and Dollar Tree
• When Love Goes Wrong by Ann Jones & Susan Schrecter
• My Life Now by Meg Kennedy Dugan & Roger R. Hock
• Bottled water
• Tissues/Boxes
• Individually packed snacks
• Door stoppers
Contact Althea at 609-394-9000 for additional information or to schedule an inkind donation drop-off.
You can drop off donations at our Administration office at 1530 Brunswick Ave in
Lawrenceville.
If you wish to make a monetary donation or to make a corporate in-kind donation,
please contact Lauren Nazarian, Director of Development, at 609-394-0136 or lan@
womanspace.org.
Counseling and Support Services
Drop-In Groups
1530 Brunswick Avenue, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
Women’s Drop-In Support Group
Monday evenings 6-7 pm, Thursdays 1-2 pm
This confidential group offers support and information on coping with the effects of
unhealthy relationships.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Your relationship is NOT healthy if:
You are frightened by your partner’s temper
You are afraid to disagree with you partner
You have to justify every place you go and everything you do
Your partner puts you down or humiliates you
You are being hit, kicked, shoved and pushed by your partner
Your partner forces you to have sex
You don’t see family/friends because of your partner’s jealousy
Your partner has threatened to hurt you, himself or herself if you leave
No commitment or pre-registration required. Call 609-394-2532 for more information.
Legal Clinic
Available morning and evening hours
• Do you have questions about restraining orders, custody, support, alimony,
divorce, separation or visitation?
• Can’t afford to meet with an attorney?
• Confused about your legal rights?
• Need options?
Attorneys are available by appointment to provide you with 35 minutes of legal
consultation. Sliding scale fee.
For more information contact 609-394-2532.
In Social Media News…
Top Tweet: Thank you @WellsFargo for the $10,000 donation to @WomanspaceInc
your support means so much!
4 Retweets and 3 Favorites
Top Facebook Post: An amazing weekend of training...Domestic and Sexual
Violence in the Deaf community. A collaboration of amazing partners...Rose,
NJCBW; Liz, NJCASA; Pat & Megan, Womanspace; Keri, Deaf Vermonters;
Michelle & Annmarie, Deaf Advocates; Catie, NJ Division of Deaf & Hard of
Hearing! A year of excellent work, creating a team of Deaf Advocates to ensure
Deaf Survivors can be heard!
38 Likes and 2 Comments
We hope you….
Like us on Facebook: Womanspace, Inc
Follow us on Twitter: @WomanspaceInc
Connect with us on LinkedIn: Womanspace
Support Womanspace by joining us through our social media sites and get your
Womanspace news first!
11
Volunteers wanted
September 9 - Response
Team Training Begins
Domestic Violence Victim Response
Team Members
&
October 20 - Womanspace
Sexual Assault Support Advocates
October 27 - COL Launch
Support victims of domestic violence and sexual
assault when they need it most
Annual Meeting
December 7 - COL Lighting
For more details visit:
www.womanspace.org
Womanspace salutes
our event sponsors
Next training begins September 9, 2015, and location Ewing Police Department
Visit our website: www.womanspace.org to download the application.
The interview process will begin this summer.
The Deadline for applications is August 14, 2015.
For more information please contact Susan Adams, Coordinator of Volunteers and
Community Outreach, at 609-394-0136 or saa@womanspace.org
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
If you are being hurt by your partner, it is NOT your fault. You
deserve to be safe and healthy. For help and information
anytime, contact:
Womanspace 24-Hour Hotline
www.womanspace.org
1-609-394-9000
Text Message Hotline for Deaf and
Hard of Hearing 609-619-1888
National Domestic Violence
Hotline
www.ndvh.org
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
NJCBW
New Jersey 24-Hour
Sexual Assault Hotline
1-800-572-SAFE (7233)
National Sexual Assault Hotline
www.rainn.org
1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
National Teen Dating
Abuse Helpline
www.endabuse.org
www.loveisrespect.org
www.thatsnotcool.com
1-866-331-9474
TTY 1-866-331-8453
Womanspace affirms its commitment to cultural competency. We recognize and value the
ethnic, religious and racial richness of our communities, and encourage mutual respect and
understanding among all people. True excellence in our organization and communities results
from identifying, serving and enlisting the participation of all people who represent this rich
diversity.
Womanspace News is published quarterly by the Development Office.
Correspondence and News may be sent to:
Development Office, Womanspace News,
1530 Brunswick Avenue, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
Womanspace, Inc.
Board of Directors
Kristin Marvin Keller, President
Christopher Bukosky, Vice President
Maryann Chibbaro, Treasurer
Paula Figueroa-Vega, Secretary
Linda Cooper, Immediate Past President
Joan Bartl
Maeve E. Cannon, Esq.
Meaghan Cannon
Dr. Danielle Coppola
Dana Fraytak Troiano, Esq.
Rose Nini
Jigna Rao
Joyce Rappeport
Ingrid W. Reed
Ed Schmierer, Esq.
Chief William Spain
Frances Zeitler
www.womanspace.org
Summer 2015