National Night Out

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. This year’s National Night Out will be held on August 7 at various locations throughout the county (see schedule below). Click here for an article about the event from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center! Interested in Volunteering? Call our office at 609-394-0136. 

Lawrence Twp. 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Lawrence Municipal Grounds

Hopewell Twp. 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Stony Brook Elementary

West Windsor 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Community Park, Bernt Mill Blvd.

Robbinsville 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Municipal Complex

Princeton 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Community Park Pool

Hamilton 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Police Dept. Headquarters

Hightstown 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Rocky Brook Park

East Windsor 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
East Windsor PAL Center, 30 Airport Rd.

Ewing 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Ewing Community Senior Ctr.

Trenton 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Rush Crossing, 100 Rider Ave.

 

Ladies Who Brunch to Benefit Womanspace

Revere Ristorante will be hosting a brunch on May 20 at 1:30 PM, with proceeds benefiting Womanspace. $30 admission includes bottomless Mimosas and Bloody Marys. Advanced tickets are $25. There will be a silent Auction, and lots of fun giveaways and prizes! Please see flyer below for more information. Email RevereFundraising@yahoo.com or call 609-882-6365 for tickets, donations, or vendor info.

   

Celebrate You

Join the Women Entrepreneurs of Central Jersey on April 19 at Mercer Oaks Golf Club for an event to benefit Homefront and Womanspace. Please see flyer below for more information and click here to register.

Generosity Looks Good on You!

During the month of March, Hair Worx Salon + Beauty Bar will donate 10% of their proceeds to Womanspace (Monday-Thursday, when clients present flyer below). They will also be holding a raffle with all proceeds to benefit Womanspace, and a launch party on Friday, March 23 from 6:00-9:00 PM. The launch party will include the announcing of the Womanspace raffle winner, discounted services and products, free mini services, and light snacks.

Paint It Forward to Benefit Womanspace

Join us to paint and sip for a cause on Thursday, March 29 at Pinot’s Palette Princeton! This class will take place from 6:30-8:30 and a portion of your registration fee will be donated to Womanspace. Click here to register!

The Vagina Monologues

Several local universities will be holding performances of The Vagina Monologues, with proceeds benefiting Womanspace:

The College of New Jersey, February 16 at 8:00 PM at Kendall Hall.

Princeton University, March 1 and 2 at 8:00 PM and March 3 at 9:00 PM at the Theater Intime.

Rider University (performing “Tales from Down Under”), March 5 at 8:00 PM at the BLC Theater.

Volunteers Needed for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Victim Response Teams

Mercer County Police Departments in partnership with Womanspace, Inc., is currently accepting applications for volunteers to become members of the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Victim Response Teams.

The team members will work in conjunction with the police to provide support, information, and referral at the time of a domestic violence or sexual assault crisis.  Team members will be contacted by Womanspace personnel and respond to various Mercer County police headquarters to meet with victims. They will provide information and support in order to assist victims in making educated decisions that positively effect individual and family conditions.

In 2017, DVVRT volunteers responded 539 times to speak with Domestic Violence Victims, providing referral counseling and emotional support to 550 persons. In that same year, 68 persons were supported by the Sexual Assault Support Services Advocate Team (SASS).

Training for the Domestic Violence Victim Response Team and Sexual Assault Response Team will begin in Spring 2019. Team members will receive extensive specialized training on such topics as the law, sensitivity to the needs of victims and their children, and how to provide swift, safe and appropriate responses at a very critical time for families.

Times, days, and location of training TBD. Each volunteer must complete 80 hours of training to become an advocate. 

Womanspace will be accepting applications from prospective volunteers who meet the following minimum requirements.

  • 18 years of age
  • Possess a valid Driver’s license & available transportation
  • NO Criminal Record History (Applicants must submit information for a background check & interview)
  • Attend mandatory training and attend monthly meetings
  • Ability to communicate well with others and be sensitive to victims’ feelings
  • Bilingual individuals and persons fluent in American Sign Language are encouraged to participate

Click here for application. Applications must be received by January 15th 2019.

Any person interested in applying as a volunteer should contact the Domestic Violence Response Team Coordinator Heidi Mueller as soon as possible, at (609) 394-0136. For further information contact Heidi Mueller of Womanspace at dvvrt@womanspace.org  or Alison Daks sass@womanspace.org (609) 394-0136.

Communities of Light 2017

This year’s Communities of Light (COL) kicked off on October 24, with a launch party at D & R Greenway Land Trust in Princeton, N.J. This annual campaign, which marks National Domestic Violence Awareness month, culminated in a county-wide lighting of luminaries on December 4. COL helps Womanspace raise money and awareness about domestic and sexual violence, while spreading a message of peace and hope.

Kristin Appelget, Director of Community and Regional Affairs at Princeton University, served as this year’s honorary Community of Lights Chair. Every municipality in Mercer County participated in COL, and 12 retailers helped to sell our luminary kits. In addition, we sold virtual luminaries to those who were unable to participate in a physical lighting. Special thanks to our sponsors (listed below) for making our 16th annual COL a success!

        

       

       

          

        

 

Womanspace Appoints New Board Members

October 31, 2017- Womanspace is proud to announce the appointment of our newest Board of Directors members. We are pleased to welcome, Charles Walker, Joanne Barlow, Salim Manzar and Michelle Bajwa.

Charles Walker has over 30 years of leadership & business experience, having served as a US Army Infantry Officer, a Marketer at Johnson & Johnson, and an Executive at several Software Companies and Advertising Agencies. Currently, Charlie is Co- President & Chief Operating Officer of Cadient Group, a global advertising agency acquired by Cognizant. Charlie lives in New Hope, Pennsylvania with his wife, and the last of five children. He enjoys motorcycle riding, golf, and playing the guitar and piano in his spare time. Executive Director, Pat Hart states, “Charlie comes to the Board after much success in the business world with an eye toward financial management we are excited for the agency to benefit from his expertise and his sensitivity to the agency’s mission.”

Joanne Barlow is the Human Resources Manager for BWAY Corporation. She’s also worked for the YMCA of Trenton, and is a member of the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) National. She resides in Trenton, NJ.  Ms. Hart says, “Womanspace is so fortunate to count Joanne as one of our newest Board members.  Her extensive experience in the field of Human Resources and her strong connection to her community add an important dimension to the organization.”

Salim Manzar is the CEO of Princeton Advisory Group, LLC –a management consulting company. In 2004, as CFO of the company international business, after a 30 year career with MetLife, Salim elected to take early retirement with view to rebalance his life. His career at MetLife included serving as Global-Head of Mergers & Acquisitions, member of the Executive Governance Board for MetLife International, Chairman of the Board for MetLife India, President-Commissioner for MetLife Indonesia, and Member of the Board for MetLife Mexico. He devotes significant time and energy in supporting various humanitarian causes and relief efforts in the USA and abroad, as well as promoting understanding and dialogue embracing diversity within our community. In addition, he is a Womanspace response team volunteer.  “Salim is a wonderful addition to the Womanspace Board having demonstrated a commitment to our mission through completion of our 80 hour training and his volunteer activity responding to survivors at the police department.  With a long history of business success he is a perfect compliment to the agency”, voices Ms. Hart.

Michelle Bajwa co-founded Domain Computer Services, Inc. with her husband Rashaad Bajwa during their Junior year at Rutgers University, a period referred to as the “Dot-Com Boom.” Domain was borne from the vision of providing intelligent, well-informed and highly customized IT services for small to medium sized businesses with a unique edge:To deliver refined and relatable customer service by leveraging inter-personal skills. Michelle enjoys running and participating in annual half-marathons and 10K races, studies yoga and meditation, finds joy in cooking, travelling, hiking with her children and researching and volunteering in programs/charities furthering development of women of all ages. Ms. Hart utters, “We are thrilled to welcome Michelle to the Womanspace Board of Directors.  Innovative and creative in her professional life we look forward to working with her on strengthening our development activity translating her talents into a wonderful partnership with the organization.”

Womanspace is thrilled to expand our Board of Directors with these new members, who will help relay our mission to new communities, businesses and friends.  Welcome to Womanspace as we celebrate 40 years of fearlessness, and helping victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

Charles Walker Joanne Barlow Michelle BajwaSalim Manzar

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

Womanspace staff gathered for their annual Domestic Violence Awareness Month Launch on October 4, 2017. Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) evolved from the “Day of Unity” held in October 1981 and conceived by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The intent was to connect advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children.

Womanspace is always looking for expand our services to better serve our clients. For this years launch, we brought in Lisa Smith from Rutgers University. Lisa is the Coordinator for Domestic Violence Services in the Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. She taught us more about serving the LGBTQ community and how to approach victims and survivors with proper pronouns, and sensitivity to their unique situation. We enjoyed having Lisa with us on our launch day, and teaching us more about serving other populations.


 

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW NEEDS HELP, CALL OUR TOLL-FREE 24-HOUR HOTLINE:

609-394-9000

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