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!

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

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.

The Mary Kay Foundation℠ Awarded Womanspace, Inc. Critical Unrestricted Funding as Part of New $3 Million Grant Slate

Trenton, NJ- September 28, 2017 – Throughout Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, The Mary Kay Foundation℠ is awarding $20,000 grants to 150 domestic violence shelters across the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam for a total of $3 million.  Local shelter Womanspace, was chosen to receive one of the annual grants to further the organization’s efforts to combat domestic violence and provide rehabilitation services throughout Mercer County, NJ. This year’s highly sought-after grant slate brings the total investment in The Foundation’s annual shelter grant program to nearly $42 million.

Womanspace will use the grant funding to keep our safe house in operation 24/7, 365 days a year. Other recipients use the unrestricted funds for basic operating expenses, hiring much-needed personnel, completing repairs and renovations or adding programs and resources based on the unique needs of their shelter and the clients they serve.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support from The Mary Kay Foundation℠ and its continued commitment to break the cycle of domestic violence,” said Lauren Nazarian, Director of Development.  “We are thrilled that Mary Kay has partnered with us yet again, and providing funds for our Safe House.  The Womanspace Safe house is open 24/7, with over 200 women and children coming through our safe house each year.  We thank the Mary Kay Foundation for your continued generosity and support for our Safe House.”

Founded in 1977, Womanspace, Inc. is a leading nonprofit agency in Mercer County, New Jersey, whose mission is to prevent abuse, protect families and change lives through empowerment and a safety net of supportive services. Womanspace bilingual (English and Spanish) programs include 24-hour crisis intervention through crisis hotlines, response teams, and emergency shelter; counseling for adults and children, court advocacy and housing services. Last year Womanspace served 11,107 adults and children, impacted by domestic and sexual violence.

“More than 700 domestic violence shelters nationwide applied for The Mary Kay Foundation℠ shelter grants this year, which demonstrates the overwhelming need to maintain critical services and provide a safe haven for the survivors of an epidemic that impacts one in every four women,” said Anne Crews, board member of The Mary Kay Foundation℠ and Vice President of Public Affairs for Mary Kay Inc.  “Working to prevent and end domestic violence is a cornerstone of The Foundation, Mary Kay Inc. and for countless members of our independent sales force. Since 2000, The Foundation has invested tens of millions of dollars in our shelter grant program and without a doubt, we know these funds make a difference in homes and communities across the country.”

Mary Kay Inc.’s global cause-related program, Beauty that Counts, helps support The Foundation’s annual shelter grant program.  Applications for the 2018 shelter grant program will be available January 15 through April 30.  Please visit marykayfoundation.org for additional information and for the full list of 2017 shelter grant recipients.