Younity’s Varonda N. Kendrick, Response Teams Coordinator, and Susan Victor, Chief Operating Officer, Client & Community Services, attended the Wide Awake Law Enforcement Presentation hosted by the Stephanie Nicole Parze Foundation (SNPF) and the Robbinsville Police Department.
The Foundation—created in memory of Stephanie Parze, a young woman from Monmouth County who tragically lost her life to domestic violence—works to support individuals and families affected by domestic violence, sexual abuse, and missing loved ones, while advancing education, prevention, and advocacy.
During the 90-minute session, SNPF President Ed Parze spoke to an engaged audience of representatives from the Robbinsville Police Department, Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, Younity, DVRT advocates, and law enforcement professionals from West Windsor, Princeton, Hamilton, Hightstown, Ewing, and other nearby communities.
The presentation offered:
- A firsthand look at the real-life impact of domestic violence on victims and families
- Insight into how law enforcement can better identify, support, and refer victims
- Education on warning signs of escalating abuse and the critical importance of early intervention
A highlight of the event was the introduction of “Stephanie’s Sanctuary” rooms—private, trauma-informed spaces being created within police departments for victims of domestic violence. These rooms are designed to provide a calm, supportive environment where survivors can meet with advocates or officers safely and with dignity. The Robbinsville Police Department will be the first in Mercer County to open one, fully furnished by the Foundation.
“Partnerships like this bring compassion and humanity into the justice system,” said Kendrick. “When advocates and law enforcement work side by side, survivors are met with understanding from the very first moment they reach out for help.”
The event exemplified the strong collaboration between advocates and law enforcement across Mercer County—an alliance that continues to grow through Younity’s Response Teams and ongoing outreach to police, hospitals, and community partners.
