We are thrilled to announce that Younity has been selected to receive a $50,000 Impact Grant from the Princeton Area Community Foundation to support our Transitional Housing Program. This generous funding will help us continue providing survivors of domestic and sexual violence with safe, stable housing as they rebuild their lives.
For many survivors, housing is one of the biggest barriers to long-term safety and independence. Through our Transitional Housing Program, Younity offers not just shelter, but also personalized support services, advocacy, and resources to help survivors achieve lasting stability. This grant will allow us to strengthen these efforts, ensuring that more individuals and families can access the secure housing they need to heal and move forward.
We are deeply grateful to the Princeton Area Community Foundation for recognizing the critical importance of transitional housing in breaking cycles of abuse and empowering survivors. With their support, Younity can continue to make a lasting impact in our community.
On Monday, December 2, thousands of candles illuminated the homes, businesses, and streets of Mercer County. Our collective light not only lit up the night but demonstrated our community’s commitment to safety, healing, and hope for victim-survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Thanks to your support, Communities of Light was a tremendous success. Through the hard work and dedication of retailers, community coordinators, staff, and volunteers, we lit over 6,000 candles in solidarity with victim-survivors. Each flame represented resilience, courage, and the unwavering strength of our community.
In partnership with municipal governments, businesses, and police departments, Younity held lightings across Mercer County. Thank you to the volunteers, staff, and community partners who made these lightings a success! Check out photos from the events here.
Not only did Communities of Light successfully raise awareness of the devastating impact of domestic violence and sexual assault, but it also successfully raised over $25,000 to further support our mission and our services to over 10,000 members of our community each year.
We’d like to take a moment to thank all of the local companies and individuals who have demonstrated their commitment to violence-free homes, schools, and communities as COL sponsors. A special thank you goes out to our Starlight and Illuminate level sponsors.
Starlight Sponsor
Dandelion Wishes 45 W Broad St, Hopewell, NJ 08525 A carefully curated collection of American handcrafted goods. Find thoughtful and unique gifts for all ages and budgets.
Illuminate Sponsors
Alliant Insurance Services 101 Park Ave., 14th Floor, New York, NY 10178 Alliant Insurance Services combines the power and breadth of big-company resources with a hyper-personalized approach that puts your interests above everything else.
Aqua New Jersey 762 West Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 Aqua New Jersey is committed to providing safe and reliable water and wastewater services to 11 counties across the Garden State.
Capital Health One Capital Way, Pennington, NJ 08534 Capital Health is the region’s leader in providing progressive, quality patient care with exceptional physicians, nurses, and staff, as well as advanced technology.
Thank you for being a part of the 23rd Annual Communities of Light! Together, we are bridging communities—across streets, cities, and even different perspectives—to raise awareness and stand against violence. Together, we are stronger than abuse.
In December 2024, Younity’s staff and leadership team participated in a powerful moment of advocacy at the State House in Trenton. We were present when bipartisan bill S715 passed unanimously—an important step in empowering victim-survivors of sexual assault. If signed into law, this groundbreaking bill will offer victim-survivors real-time updates on the status of their Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE) kits, bringing much-needed transparency and support to the process.
According to RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, DNA evidence collected during SAFE exams has become a critical factor in achieving justice for victim-survivors. However, the overwhelming backlog of evidence is one of the biggest obstacles to prosecuting perpetrators. Bill S715, sponsored by Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, aims to reduce the number of untested SAFE kits statewide and expedite the investigation of rape cases to deliver justice and closure for victims.
While specifics have not been disclosed, the internet-based tracking system would provide transparency to victim-survivors throughout the process, from evidence collection to DNA testing. Prior to the introduction of this bill, New Jersey was 1 of only 10 states in the US that had not adopted a centralized tracking system for DNA testing.
Varonda Kendrick, Younity’s Response Teams Coordinator, works directly with victim-survivors and offered her insight in the PIX 11 coverage of this historic legislation.
“It is very important for survivors because right now, they don’t have any way of knowing what’s happening with their kit, and sometimes that makes them lose confidence in the system. For them to be able to have some type of tracking would give them more hope that something is actually happening with their case.”
In 2015, RAINN reported that rape is the most under-reported crime, with approximately 63% of sexual assaults not reported to police. While there are an infinite number of reasons that a victim-survivor may not report sexual assault, passing Bill S715 into law will ensure that transparency in processing is not one of them.
We are thrilled to announce that Younity has been selected as a 2024 Bank of America Neighborhood Builder, a prestigious recognition that comes with a $200,000 grant over two years and leadership development opportunities for our team. This honor underscores Younity’s vital role in providing safety, advocacy, and healing for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in New Jersey.
Through the Neighborhood Builders program, Bank of America supports high-impact nonprofits that drive economic resilience and create safer, stronger communities. This investment will enable Younity to expand its reach, enhance its services, and strategically plan for long-term impact, ensuring survivors receive the comprehensive support they need.
The grant will support leadership development, strengthening our ability to navigate change, build a forward-thinking culture, and expand fundraising efforts. It will also sustain critical services for survivors, including Younity’s 24/7 Safe House, crisis hotlines, counseling, and court advocacy, which impact over 11,000 individuals annually. Additionally, it will help scale fundraising efforts to offset declining government funding, ensuring the long-term stability of these essential programs.
By investing in Younity’s future, this grant strengthens our ability to break cycles of violence, stabilize families, and empower survivors—particularly in underserved communities like Trenton, NJ. We are deeply grateful to Bank of America for this opportunity and to our supporters who help make our mission possible.
JANUARY 6, 2025 – Younity invites compassionate and dedicated individuals to join our Response Teams of Mercer County as Volunteer Advocates. This is more than just a volunteer role—it’s an opportunity to be a beacon of hope for individuals in crisis. Together, we are stronger than abuse. By offering your time and care, you can help create a safer, more supportive community. As an advocate, you will be a vital part of providing immediate assistance to victim-survivors of domestic and sexual violence, ensuring their safety and well-being during the moments when they need it most.
Why Volunteer with Younity?
Volunteering with Younity is a chance to make a meaningful difference in our community. As part of our Response Teams, you’ll receive professional training to provide compassionate, informed support to individuals in crisis. Working closely with law enforcement and other community partners, you’ll play an essential role in a coordinated effort to bring safety, hope, and healing to those affected by domestic and sexual violence.
What Does the Role Involve?
As a Response Team Volunteer Advocate, you will:
Provide Immediate Support: Offer emotional care and critical information to victim-survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
Collaborate with Law Enforcement: Work alongside police officers to ensure individuals in crisis receive the resources they need.
Offer Resource Guidance: Help victim-survivors understand their options and connect them with Younity’s comprehensive services, such as emergency shelter, counseling, and legal advocacy.
Be Present During Critical Moments: Respond to calls and provide vital support during some of the most challenging times in someone’s life.
Receive Professional Training: Complete 64 hours of free training provided by Younity’s experts and other leaders in the field of domestic violence and sexual assault intervention.
The Critical Moment in a Victim’s Journey
Your role as an advocate is critical in helping victim-survivors take the first step toward safety and recovery. Statistics show that, on average, a victim attempts to leave an abusive relationship seven to eight times before succeeding. Your compassion, training, and presence can be the turning point that empowers someone to break free from abuse and begin their journey to healing.
Training and Support
At Younity, we understand that this role requires preparation and ongoing support. Our extensive training program equips you with the tools and knowledge to handle complex situations with confidence and empathy. You’ll learn about domestic and sexual violence, crisis intervention, and Younity’s range of services. Additionally, you’ll receive continued guidance and resources to support you throughout your volunteer journey.
How to Apply
If you are compassionate, empathetic, and committed to creating a stronger, safer community, we encourage you to apply to join Younity’s Response Teams of Mercer County.
Application Deadline: February 25, 2025
Training Dates and Location: March 18 – May 3, 2025 Tuesdays & Thursdays (6-8:30pm) via Zoom & Saturdays (9am-1pm) at various Police Stations
If you have questions or want more information about this opportunity, please email Varonda Kendrick at responseteamstraining@younitynj.org.
