Please join us on Thursday, May 2, from 7-9 PM for a Paint and Sip fundraiser benefiting Womanspace. Please click here for more information.
Author: Erica Torsiello
Volunteers Needed!
Domestic Violence Victim Response Teams
The Domestic Violence Victim Response Team (DVVRT) is a partnership of Womanspace, Inc., Mercer County, New Jersey law enforcement agencies and community members. DVVRT volunteers are trained to meet with victims of domestic violence at police stations to provide information and support at the time of a reported incident or upon request.
Sexual Assault Support Services Advocates
Sexual Assault Support Services Advocates are volunteer victim advocates who work to enhance the victim-centered approach that is now standard for providing services to sexual assault victims. They provide accompaniment to hospitals in response to crisis calls received by the hotline, from local hospitals, police or the prosecutor’s office. Advocates provide crisis intervention, counseling, emotional support, information and referrals to sexual assault victims and their significant others. They may also be asked to support a survivor through follow-up with medical care and law enforcement proceedings.
General Qualifications for Victim Support Volunteers
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Relate sensitively to victims
- Communicate well with others and be a good listener
- Maintain confidentiality
- Valid driver’s license
- Access to transportation
- Application process includes background check and fingerprinting
- Complete initial 80+ hour training and ongoing training
- DVVRT volunteers and Sexual Assault Support Advocates must be “on call” at least two 12-hour shifts per month
- Bi-lingual individuals, especially those fluent in Spanish, Polish and American Sign Language are strongly encouraged to apply!
Volunteer as an Advocate or Team Member
To apply for the next training class in Fall 2019 . Please submit your completed application by August 16, 2019. Click here for application. The next class begins in Fall 2019. For more information call 609-394-0136 and speak with either Heidi Mueller or Alison Daks Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., or email Heidi at dvvrt@womanspace.org or Alison at sass@womanspace.org.
THE Fall 2019 TRAINING TIMES, DATES, AND LOCATIONS ARE TBD. PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR MORE INFO.
Womanspace Lights Up Mercer County
On December 3, 2018 the twelve municipalities of Mercer County joined Womanspace in lighting luminary candles in support of victims of domestic and sexual violence, as part of our 17th Annual Communities of Light Peace Begins at Home project. In addition to municipal lightings, businesses, organizations, and individuals purchased and lit luminaries in order to raise awareness and money for Womanspace’s vital services. Thank you to everyone who participated!
Self-Defense Class Benefiting Womanspace
Please join us for a self-defense class benefiting Womanspace, on April 6 from 2-3:30 PM at Princeton Academy of Martial Arts. Please see below for more information and to register.
The Vagina Monologues
Several local universities will be holding performances of The Vagina Monologues, with proceeds benefiting Womanspace:
Princeton University: Feb. 20, 21 & 22 @ 8PM: Theater Intime
The College of New Jersey: Feb. 21 @ 8PM: Mayo Music Hall
Click here for more information about The Vagina Monologues, Eve Ensler’s award-winning play.
Annual Appeal 2018: “Giving is the greatest act of Grace”
Peace begins at home is the cornerstone on which the mission of Womanspace was created 41 years ago. Inherent in that belief is the absolute necessity of respect and mutual respect. As adults, we lead by example, starting in families where young girls and boys can learn that they have the right to say “no” to unwanted touch. We need to teach our little girls that their voice matters and teach our little boys it is critical that they hear and respect those voices as well as knowing their own voice matters to say “no.” The news today is filled with so many stories about the violation of boundaries and about the voices of victims and survivors speaking out for the first time. It is imperative that we listen to those voices and help our children understand the importance of respecting the experiences of others.
As a parent, it is sometimes difficult to know how to talk about these issues. Children are never too young to learn about boundaries and respect. The root of violence against individuals, domestic and sexual violence starts early; therefore, the conversation needs to start now.
Talk about boundaries and respect. If you are a parent or a significant adult in a child’s life, you can emphasize everyone’s right to say no to an unwanted touch. Ted Bunch, Chief Development Officer of A Call To Men, helps to educate men on healthy, respectful manhood and aims to prevent violence against women. “We have to have conversations much earlier about respectful boundaries,“ Bunch said, “We’re talking about respecting your body and the bodies of others, being able to say no and understanding that someone is not supposed to touch me in certain ways.” A conversation with a child is imperative to tell them “If somebody wants to give you a hug, it’s OK to say, I don’t want a hug.” For older boys, this might mean cultivating a clear conversation about consent. It is important to model behavior at home.
Make it clear that emotions are OK. It is important to teach our boys to have the full range of emotions, let them cry and experience their feelings. Model gender equality at home, things like equal chores for daughters and sons. Most of all, tell your children they can come to you with anything without judgment that no topic is off the table. Raising kind children will ensure the maturing of kind adults.
Womanspace programs and services continue to evolve as needs in the community grow and change. This evolution includes being a daily voice in the community for respect and consent. Since 1977, Womanspace has served over 368,725 individuals effected by interpersonal violence; 71,393 women, 13,717 children and 5,153 men. During fiscal year July 2016 through June 2017, Womanspace served a total of 11,900 adults and children, providing them with critical lifesaving services including:
- Hotlines: Domestic violence and sexual assault crisis hotlines and Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline. Our 24-hour Emergency Services team responded to 6,476 callers.
- Emergency Safe House: 88 women and 75 children found refuge in our 24/7 safe house.
- Domestic Violence Response Team: Helped 102 children, 569 women, and 97 men through their trauma.
- Sexual Assault Response Team: Helped 13 Children, 43 women, and 2 men through their trauma.
- Individual Counseling and Support Services: Counseled 318 adults and children in their path to healing.
- Professional Training and Community Education: Over 5,301 individuals were educated and trained through these outreach presentations.
Please join us in our commitment to end domestic and sexual violence. Choose to give generously this year and know that your contribution will benefit thousands of adults and children who we serve here in the Greater Mercer County area.
“The secret to change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” – Socrates
Let’s help to make that change!
#GivingTuesday Gift Match!
Your donation can provide double the financial resources to help victims of domestic and sexual violence. In honor of #GivingTuesday, a generous donor, Robin Gosnell, has offered to match all gifts made on November 27, up to $1,000. #Giving Tuesday is a day of global giving, celebrated the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, which helps to kick off the charitable season. Click here to learn more.
Your support will help Womanspace provide crucial services to victims of domestic and sexual violence. Please click here to make a donation, or you can send a check to our office (1530 Brunswick Ave., Lawrenceville, NJ 08648), dated November 27. Thank you for helping us to prevent abuse, protect families, and change lives.
Communities of Light Launch 2018
Womanspace kicked off our 17th Annual Communities of Light project with a launch event on October 23 at D & R Greenway Land Trust in Princeton, N.J. The evening included a free reception with food and drink donated by D’Angelo Italian Market, Terhune Orchards, Pennington Quality Market, and Terra Momo Restaurant Group, and music by young artists Sahil Navani and Dillon Schindler from Fusion Academy Princeton.
Pam Mount, owner of Terhune Orchards, served as the Communities of Light Honorary Chair and spoke to guests about the importance of community in supporting victims of domestic and sexual violence.
This annual campaign, which marks National Domestic Violence Awareness month, will culminate with a county-wide lighting of luminaries on December 3. Communities of Light helps Womanspace raise money and awareness about domestic and sexual violence, while spreading a message of peace and hope. For more information, or to purchase a luminary kit, please click here.
Special thanks to Pro One Photography.
Holiday Wish Lists
Help make the holiday season extra special for our clients! Please see our Thanksgiving wish list below or click here to download a copy. See our holiday wish list below or click here to download a copy. If you wish to make a monetary donation or to see our year-long list of needs, please click here.
Please note that we cannot accept frozen food and request that Thanksgiving donations be dropped off by November 16.
Please drop off holiday donations by December 1.
Womanspace Annual Meeting, 2018
Womanspace’s Annual Meeting was held on Tuesday, October 16 from 12-2 PM at the Muslim Center of Greater Princeton. The meeting included the annual report on the state of the agency and recognition of Womanspace staff and Board Members. Special thanks to McCaffrey’s and Milk & Cookies for donating desserts, and the Muslim Center of Greater Princeton for their hospitality. We were pleased to honor the following …
Staff:
Marsha Collins (10 Years)
Linda Singleton (20 Years)
Susan Adams (30 Years)
Board Members:
William Spain (21 Years)
Meaghan Cannon (24 Years)
Frances Zeitler (29 Years)
Maeve Cannon (29 Years)
Ed Schmierer (32 Years)
Executive Director Pat Hart with staff honorees Susan Adams and Linda Singleton.
(From Left) Board Members Ed Schmierer, Meaghan Cannon, Executive Director Pat Hart, Board Members Fran Zeitler, Maeve Cannon, and William Spain.
NJ Man of Strength and Board Member Ed Schmierer with Executive Director Pat Hart.
Board Member Fran Zeitler reads a poem about Domestic Violence.
Attendees enjoying lunch and the program.
Desserts donated by McCaffrey’s and Milk & Cookies.
