What's News at JBWS
Holiday Donations Make the Season Brighter
The Friends of JBWS Raise Needed Funds through Shop for A Cause Holiday Bazaar and annual Communities of Light Campaign. December 2011.
Morris County Businesses Partner with JBWS to Help Shed Light on Problem of Domestic Violence December 2011
Mendham Township Sheds Light on Problem of Domestic Violence December 2011
Shop for Your Holiday Gifts and Support A Good Cause December 2011
Educational Forum and Vigil to Remember Nazish Brings the Community Together October 2011
JBWS Celebrates 35 Years of Vital Services for Those Hurting from Abuse October 2011
Victims of Domestic Violence "Bare Their Soles" to Increase Awareness of the Issue October 2011
"Hope Classic" Golf Event Supports JBWS. See photos July 2011
JBWS Welcomes New Board Members. June 2011.
Grand Tastings Event Celebrates JBWS 35th Anniversary May 2011
Men "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" to Benefit Services for Domestic Violence Victims March 2011
Program Takes a Look at Teen Dating Violence Prevention January 2011
Safe Dating Challenge 5K Run and Fun Walk Raises Funds and Awareness of Teen Dating Abuse Oct. 2010
Teens Use Rihanna-Brown case to Talk About Abuse March 2009
Ad Campaigns Increase Awareness of Help for Victims
Holiday Donations Make the Season Brighter
JBWS was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from our very big-hearted donors this holiday season. In total, their generosity helped JBWS to provide gifts for nearly 200 families, including more than 400 children. The families were very grateful and expressed their appreciation through thank you letters. We are glad to be able to share a few excerpts with you here.
"As a mother, I thank you with my whole heart for helping me create joy in my children’s Christmas by sprinkling it with magic through your generous gifts. As a person, I thank you for reminding me of what hope is, created by kindness in people like you. May you receive the blessings you give others tenfold in return. Thank you, thank you and thank you."
"We never imagined finding ourselves in a shelter for victims of domestic violence but feel so grateful for the humanity that has been graced upon us. My son and I are especially grateful for the gifts we received from you. Thank you so very much for your generosity."
"My family is so blessed for what you have done for us! It’s been a very difficult year but I know so many have having hard times, but people like you make me always keep my faith and hope! You helped give my child and I a wonderful Christmas!"
"You gave me my strength and courage back that I thought I lost. You helped me regain my confidence and to know what I can do in a bad situation and to stand clear of it! I know you have helped and saved many. I will always have everyone who helped me through that time in my heart and keep moving forward because I can. You will never know how much your advice and guidance and encouragement gets me through everyday seeing my child with me and knowing I did what I was supposed to! I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! My daughter and I thank you so much!"
"Thank you again for still keeping our lives and us in your heart. Always remember that appreciation we have for all of you. I have become a new person—full of dreams, stronger, positive that I believe that I can change my future more and more. For me and my kids, thank you again for all that support – emotional, encourage my dreams to come true. You give me so much – home, food, school, love, listening, care and more…"
"Thank you so much for all the beautiful gifts you gave us. They are amazing and I will treasure them always. My favorite gift was the black Nike shoes, they were really pretty and you had wonderful taste in what type of shoes to get." – a child
"To our kind and caring ‘Santa’ – to see the immense generosity bestowed upon my family and myself through the goodness of JBWS was truly a Christmas miracle! I could never have imagined receiving such kindness and support during such a challenging time. If not for your gracious gifts this year – and with a young believer in Santa, I had no idea how I would overcome my embarrassment and sadness. I am grateful and humbled by the compete anonymity of such giving and am truly honored to be lifted up with such kind regard during the holidays. I will never forget this joy-filled, beautiful Christmas because of you. The light is at the end of the tunnel; the fog is lifting and my family will succeed! Thank you for your gift of hope!"
Patty Sly Selected for The International Women's Forum Leadership Foundation 2011 - 2012 Fellows Class
The International Women's Forum Leadership Foundation unveiled its 2011-2012 Fellows Class, including JBWS executive director Patty Sly. From the largest and most competitive pool of candidates in Fellows Program history, 35 rising women leaders from 14 nations were selected. The Fellows Program is the world's most prestigious leadership initiative featuring creative partnerships with the Harvard Business School (HBS) and INSEAD, along with one-on-one mentoring with IWF members around the world. The NJ Women's Forum nominated Patty for the program and is underwriting the tuition. (Pictured with Patty Sly, above on left, is Ellen Weiss, the immediate past president NJWF and former fellow.)
The new Fellows began their program year with orientation and training in Washington, DC in October, and it will be followed by programs at HBS in Cambridge, MA and at INSEAD's global campus in Singapore. Together, the IWF and its Leadership Foundation are promoting better leadership for a changing world. "I am so honored to be a part of this incredible group and look forward to learning, networking, and representing New Jersey and the domestic violence non-profit field," says Sly.
The Friends of JBWS Raise Needed Funds for through Shop for A Cause Holiday Bazaar & Communities of Light
DECEMBER 2011 - Rose-Emily Callos and Terri Stanton lead the efforts to promote the sale of lanterns to benefit JBWS' second annual Communities of Light Campaign. They are pictured here staffing a table at the Shop for a Cause Holiday Bazaar, another successful fundraising event sponsored by the Friends of JBWS group. To learn more about becoming a member of the Friends volunteer group contact, Hlefrois@jbws.org.
Educational Forum and Vigil to Remember Nazish Brings the Community Together
OCTOBER 2011 (Boonton, NJ) JBWS along with the faith based community in Boonton, Wafa House and the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, paid special tribute to Nazish Noorani and those victims who have lost their lives to domestic violence. The October 16th forum and vigil was in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
JBWS Executive Director Patty Sly and members of Wafa House Zillehuma Hasan and Seema Lodhi talked with participants about resources for victims of abuse.
JBWS Celebrates 35 Years of Vital Services for Those Hurting from Abuse
OCTOBER 2011 (Morristown, NJ) Supportes of JBWS joined together to recognize the agency's 35 years of service to the community. Held at the Morris Museum, attendees met the award winning Young Adult fiction author, Swati Avasthi and viewed the creative and poignant artwork of the many clients who have benefited from JBWS services. To see more photos from the event, please visit us on Facebook.
Victims of Domestic Violence "Bare Their Soles" to Increase Awareness of the Issue
OCTOBER 2011 (New Brunswick, NJ) JBWS joined with other members of the NJ Coalition for Battered Women the second annual "Baring Our Soles" awareness event held on the campus of Rutgers University. It featured a display of shoes made by adult and child survivors living in safe houses throughtout the state, including JBWS in Morris County. The shoe in this picture was made by a small boy living in the JBWS shelter.
This child hid a clay figure of himself
inside the shoe.
Hope Classic Golf Event Supports JBWS
JULY 2011 (Bernardsville, NJ) This year's Hope Classic, sponsored by Verizon Wireless, was held at the beautiful Somerset Hills Country Club. The event included a day of golf, silent and live auctions, luncheon and an awards dinner.
Board Members
JBWS board president Aru Kulkarni of The Jones Group welcomes new members at the annual board meeting held at the Park Avenue Club in Florham Park, NJ. Pictured (l-r) are Kulkarni; John Gerity, CO-CEO for Access 2 Care; Vincent Grenier, Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch; JBWS executive director Patty Sly; and Cindy Beth Weiss, VP of Finance and Administration for NJ Automobile Club. Also joining the board is Terence "Tee" Golden, owner of Goldcon, Inc.
Patty Sly thanks the board members whose terms expired for their dedication and six years of service to JBWS. Patty is pictured here with Fred Gruel of AAA, Lynn Castrataro of Ingersoll Rand, William Gourgey, and Laurie Peter. Also completing his service on the board is Joseph Bloom.
Grand Tastings Event Celebrates JBWS 35th Anniversary
MAY 2011 (West Orange, NJ)JBWS was thrilled to have a sellout crowd and record revenue at this year’s Grand Tasting event as we celebrated our 35th anniversary. A total of $315,000 was raised to help families hurt by domestic abuse.
Many former leaders returned to join in the celebration including DiAnne Arbour, former ED and Evelyn Self, former board member, both of whom were instrumental in holding the first Grand Tastings.
Bobby Gilmore was the featured speaker. It was his mother’s tragic death that sparked the community to raise the necessary funds to open the safe house in 1978.
This year's corporate honoree is Ingersol Rand and its philanthropic honorees are Kevin Maher and Twig 21.
Robert Gilmore and executive director Patty Sly.
Carole Graham and former
board member Baxter Graham.
Former executive director DiAnne Arbour with JBWS associate executive director Jane Shivas.
A magnificant ice sculpture in honor of the
agency's 35th anniversary.
"Walk A Mile In Her Shoes" to
Raise Money and Awareness for JBWS
University President Robert Weisbuch (center), stands in red high-heeled shoes with assistance from Drew Communications Associate Michael Bressman (l) and Drew student and Civic Scholar Stephanie Danckert. President Bob commended the students for their great work and added a personal matching gift.
Drew University Rugby Team
joins the fun for a good cause.
The money raised supports the services of JBWS. Pictured l-r are JBWS board member Vlasta Moravkova of Ernst & Young; Drew student Mike Kelly of Morristown; Rachel Schachter of Drew Civic Scholars, the group that organized the event; and Juli Harpell Elam,
JBWS Coordinator of Prevention Services.
Safe Dating Challenge 5K Run and Fun Walk Raises Funds and Awareness of Teen Dating Abuse
(October 2010) JBWS' 8th annual Safe Dating Challenge was held on a beautiful day on the campus of the College of St. Elizabeth. Runners, walkers, families, coworkers, and volunteers joined together to have a good time and to raise money for a good cause—teen dating abuse prevention.
This year's Presenting Sponsor for Safe Dating Challenge was ADP and the Reidy Family.
Event Sponsors were Ingersoll Rand and Verizon Wireless. The Partner Sponsor was Merck.
Fourteen-year-old Emily Chin was
the first place female winner.
Fran Libasci and JBWS board president Aru Kulkarni
were among the runners.
Children of all ages enjoyed the Kids' Races.
At the finish line, each child received a toy.
Jennifer Grubb, coach and player for Sky Blue FC women's soccer team addressed the crowd during the awards ceremony. She encouraged the participants to remain physically active and to seek help for problems like dating abuse when needed. She is joined here with members of the Mendham High School Girls Varsity Soccer Team (l-r) Robin Chernow, Jennifer Grubb, Melissa Chernow and Ellie Meyers.
Author and Psychotherapist Dr. Susan Weitzman Discusses the Hidden Abuse in Upscale Marriages at a Recent Women to Women Luncheon.
(March 31, 2009) The beautiful Park Avenue Club in Florham Park, NJ was the setting for a luncheon and lecture on a topic that for too long has remained hidden in suburban NJ. Abuse in upscale marriages was the subject of Dr. Weitzman's years of research and recent luncheon presentation sponsored by JBWS and the Rachel Coalition.
Teens Use Rihanna- Brown case to Talk About Abuse
Group views special broadcast of Oprah to stimulate discussion
By Matt Kadosh • Daily Record • March 13, 2009
Teenagers take part in a discussion led by the dating abuse prevention staff of Jersey Battered Women Services as Juli Harpell-Elam, of JBWS, hands a dating abuse prevention brochure to freshman Eric Smith of Morristown on Thursday at the end of a special Oprah show.
Photo by: ELBALIZ MENDEZ/DAILY RECORD
MORRISTOWN -- Area teens got a lesson in domestic abuse Thursday when they watched a live broadcast of Oprah at the Neighborhood House.
The topic of discussion? The relationship of singers Rihanna and Chris Brown. The teens, along with representatives of Jersey Battered Women Services based in Morristown, talked about Brown's alleged abuse of Rihanna.
"It was a teachable moment and an opportunity to say it's OK to talk about domestic abuse," said Juli Harpell-Elam, licensed professional counselor for JBWS. "The children were very perceptive and open after they warmed up.
"Melissa Avila, 16, of Morristown said it's important to take an active role against domestic abuse, and doesn't believe Rihanna and Chris Brown should be held to a higher standard because they are celebrities.
"If it's someone you really care about, you can't say 'just let them deal with it on their own,'" she said.
The youth listened attentively as Kevin Frazier, weekend anchor and correspondent for Entertainment Tonight, described to audiences how the abuse in the famous couple's relationship began when Brown became angered over a text message.
"Brown lashed out," Frazier said.
Harpell-Elam said Rihanna and Brown's situation is typical of people who are in abusive relationships in that they are getting back together. The only major difference is the duo is producing an album, "Trials and Tribulations of Love.
"The counselor for JBWS explained why couples with abusive relationships get back together.
"They (the person abused) go back for the good parts of the relationship. They don't go back for the abuse," Harpell-Elam said. "The person who abused them may be convincing. It's easier to believe and go back than to break free.
"Regina Braham, director of community relations for JWBS, emphasized this is a common problem with teens.
"Research shows that one in five teens will experience at least one incident of dating violence before they graduate from high school and that one in three teenagers report knowing a friend or peer who has been hit, punched, kicked, slapped, choked or physically hurt by their partner," she said.
Eric Smith, 14, of Morristown, said he felt strongly about the issues.
"I feel bad for Rihanna because she was abused," he said.
JWBS, which reaches more than 7,500 Morris County teens each year, offers educational programs for parents, teens and professionals on issues of dating abuse and prevention, Braham said. They have programs in 21 high schools in the county and at least a dozen middle schools, she said.
They also teach in freshman seminar classes at Fairleigh Dickinson University. JWBS also provides counseling to teens and young adults through their Dating Abuse Prevention Program in addition to their services for victims of abuse.
The message from Oprah was clear: "Love doesn't hurt." And like JBWS, she emphasized that the cycle of violence can be broken.
Donate now, it may help save a life. JBWS is a non-profit tax exempt 501 c 3 organization. Your donation is tax-deductible.