Mary Pat Christie announces partnership to help fund domestic violence programs

By Megan Goldschmidt, The Trentonian

POSTED: 10/15/13, 10:34 AM EDT |

HAZLET — Last week, the First Lady of New Jersey helped announce a new partnership to address domestic violence.

With October being Domestic Violence Awareness month, Mary Pat Christie joined officials from Verizon, the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the New Jersey Coalition for Battered Women (NJCBW) at 180 Turning Lives Around in Hazlet. The partnership seeks to increase public awareness of domestic violence programs and services, especially among those most affected by Superstorm Sandy, according to a release sent out Thursday.

“Domestic violence affects one in four women in their lifetime,” said Christie. “Don’t let a member of our community become another statistic. I commend these organizations for spotlighting this difficult issue and offering victims, survivors and families affected by domestic abuse the support necessary to heal and recover.”

The partnership’s efforts are being funded through a $30,000 Verizon Foundation grant and a $20,000 Verizon Wireless Hopeline grant. The NJCBW’S plans include, improving its website, developing domestic violence awareness and prevention brochures, and producing a video public service announcement featuring the First Lady promoting New Jersey’s domestic violence services for victims, survivors and their families.

NJCBW is a statewide association that provides leadership, support and resources on the prevention of violence against women in New Jersey.

Verizon has a long history of supporting domestic violence abuse victims. Since 2000, Verizon and the Verizon Foundation have provided more than $65 million in grants to domestic violence prevention organizations and shelters across the county. Through its HopeLine initiative, Verizon Wireless puts the company’s technology to work in the community by turning no-longer-used wireless phones and accessories into support for domestic violence victims and survivors.

“Superstorm Sandy sadly brought physical and emotional damage to many New Jersey families, and Verizon continues to work every day to support their long road to recovery. Thanks to the generosity of our customers who recycle their old cell phones through our Hopeline program and our Verizon Foundation, we are able to help non-profit organizations like 180 Turning Lives Around so they can continue to provide the critical services that many domestic violence survivors need in order to move forward from an unhealthy relationship,” said Pat Devlin, president of Verizon Wireless’ New York Metro region, in the release.

Allison Blake, the DCF Commissioner, said that families affected by natural disasters face enormous stress that can outstretch their ability to cope. According to her previous knowledge of natural disasters,a product of that stress can be the increase of domestic violence.

“Hurricane Sandy unleashed devastation in our community that runs deeper than the obvious physical damage that the storm created. Depression, anxiety, violence and abuse have increased as the months have passed and families struggle to deal with the after-effects of the storm. We are so grateful to partner with the Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund, the Verizon Foundation/ Verizon Wireless and the State’s Department of Children and Family Services to address the increased needs of domestic violence victims, many who were affected by Sandy,” said Anna Diaz-White, executive director of 180 Turning Lives Around, Inc.