Category: News : Archive
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.
2019 Annual Appeal: “The secret to change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” – Socrates
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:
The Ruby Skulls are raising money for Womanspace!
Help us cheer them on as they paddle the Schuylkill once again in the Philadelphia International Dragon Boat Festival, which will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2014. 100% of funds raised by the Ruby Skulls goes to Womanspace. Click here to donate.
Thanks for your support!
Thanks to everyone at Bonefish Grill for an amazing Charity night! Food was delicious, service was excellent and generous supporters filled this great new restaurant. $11,286 raised for Womanspace!
Womanspace is very grateful to Bonefish Grill, all the event participants, and the many businesses that donated auction items to support us! Thank you Bonefish Grill, Hamilton Jewelers, Hyatt Regency Princeton, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products, Tiger Schulmann’s Kickboxing & Mixed Martial Arts, Bed, Bath & Beyond, DSW, Just Beadin’ Around, Great Looks Hair Salon, Lawrence Anthony Jewelers, TJ Max, hh gregg and Massage Envy!
Read about the event in the Lawrence Patch: http://lawrenceville.patch.com/groups/volunteering/p/bonefish-grill-raises-more-than-11000-for-womanspace
Luminary Kit Retail Locations
Communities of Light™ Luminary Kits are now available for purchase at a retail location near you!
The $10 Luminary kits are available online* and at the following locations:
Doctors Express Urgent Care Center
2222 Route 33, Hamilton
Fedora Cafe – NEW!
2633 Main St, Lawrenceville
Fulton Bank of NJ
304 Princeton Hightstown Rd., East Windsor
Gloria Nilson Realtors
33 Witherspoon St., Princeton
Gloria Nilson Realtors
2346 Route 33, Robbinsville
Gratitude Yoga – NEW!
27 Witherspoon St, Princeton
Great Looks Hair Salon
3371 US Highway 1, Lawrenceville
McCaffrey’s Food Market
301 North Harrison St., Princeton
McCaffrey’s Food Market
335 Princeton Hightstown Rd., West Windsor
Pennington Quality Market
25 Route 31 South, Pennington
Terhune Orchards
330 Cold Soil Rd., Princeton
The Front Porch
24 S Main St, Pennington
Weidel Realtors
190 Nassau St., Princeton
Womanspace Administrative Office
1530 Brunswick Ave, Lawrenceville
(Kits may be picked up between 9 am and 4 pm, Monday-Friday)
Click here for a printer-friendly flyer.
You can also purchase kits and Virtual Luminaries online!
The lighting of luminaries throughout the county is our unique way of increasing local awareness of the presence of domestic and sexual violence in our community. It is also our way of shedding light on the Womanspace mission to serve its victims at the moment of crisis and throughout their journey of healing.
*Luminary kits purchased online must be picked up from the Womanspace Administrative Office located at 1530 Brunswick Ave, Lawrenceville between 9 am and 4:30 pm, Monday-Friday.
Dandelion Supports Womanspace
Dandelion in Palmer Square, Princeton is donating 10% of all sales made on Thursday, October 18th through Saturday, October 20th to benefit Womanspace during Domestic Violence Awareness month.
Dandelion offers handmade jewelry designed only by world-renowned jewelry designers like Chan Luu, Jordan Schlanger, Chamilia, Electrum, Alexis Bittar, Jane Diaz, among others. Let Carole and Rachel help you choose amazing jewelry for yourself or holiday gifts for your family and friends.
Dandelion is located at 47 Palmer Square West, Princeton, NJ 08542. Click here for directions.
Your support of this great event will provide benefits to those women affected by domestic violence and sexual assault.
Please Vote for Womanspace!
Please vote for Womanspace before September 19th – help us qualify for funds from Chase Community Giving that will make an enormous difference to families experiencing domestic and sexual violence. Thank you for clicking here to support our mission.
If you haven’t visited our Facebook page, click here. We hope you like us!
You can also vote through the Chase Community Giving website if you do not have Facebook.
Thank you for your support
Shop for a Cause
Support Womanspace Saturday, August 23, 2014
Womanspace is partnering with Macy’s for a one day only shopping event on Saturday, August 23rd at Macy’s Quakerbridge. Click here to purchase your Macy’s Shop for a Cause Savings Pass.
Since 2006, Macy’s Shop For A Cause Event has partnered with non-profit organizations nationwide to raise more than $45 million for their ongoing charitable efforts.
Purchase a $5 Shopping Pass and receive 25%* off regular, sale and clearance merchandise items as well as 10% off electronics, furniture, mattresses and area rugs. Plus, you can enter to win a $500 Macy’s Gift Card!
(*Exclusions and restrictions apply. See Shopping Pass for details.)
100% of the proceeds benefit Womanspace in the area of greatest need.
