What's News at JBWS
Coffee House Attendees Enjoy Great Entertainment and Refreshments. See Photos. Feb. 2010.
Threads of Hope Drive Collects Over 10,000 Pounds of Textiles to Raise Money for JBWS
Safe Dating Challenge 5K Run and Fun Walk Raises Funds and Awareness of Teen Dating Abuse Oct. 2009.
4th Annual Candlelight Vigil Sheds Light on Domestic Violence Oct. 2009.
Tenth Annual "Hope Classic Raises Much Needed Funds and Awareness for Victims of Abuse. See photos July 2009.
Chefs and Vendors Create a Grand Tastings Event to Benefit JBWS May 2009.
Teens Use Rihanna-Brown case to Talk About Abuse March 2009.
JBWS Launches its Spanish Language Community Awareness Campaign Oct. 2008.
JBWS Proud Beneficiary of Lafitte Foundation Charity Golf Classic. See photos. June 2008.
Ad Campaigns Increase Awareness of Help for Victims
Threads of Hope Drive collects 10,000 Pounds of Textiles to Raise Money for JBWS.
More than one hundred car loads of donations were dropped off at the J&J drop off site in Morris Plains, NJ where volunteers were waiting to lift the bags onto the trucks. Ellen McGrath was one of the many volunteers on hand throughtout the day.
JBWS' first Threads of Hope Collection Drive raised more than $2,000 for the agency. Volunteer Ellen McGrath (center) is pictured here with JBWS staff members, Juli Harpell-Elam and Kirsten Kielblock (l - r).
Safe Dating Challenge 5K Run and Fun Walk Raises Funds and Awareness of Teen Dating Abuse
(October 2009) JBWS' 7th 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.
Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen showed his support for JBWS' mission. He is pictured here with JBWS executive director Patty Sly at the health fair sponsored by Atlantic Health. Later Congressman Frelinghuysen spoke to the runners and sounded the horn for the start of the race.
Even the youngest participants enjoyed a good race.
Dillon Capwell, a 14-year-old from Hopatcong fnished first overall. He is pictured with his proud father, Scott Capwell.
Karyn Layton of Rockaway took 3rd Place Overall for the women.
Patricia Butcher and her daughter of Stockholm pose for a photo after receiving her ribbon for 2nd Place Overall for the women.
Mary Athen and her 10-year-old daughter Lisa stop by the information table on dating
abuse before running the 5K race.
Greg Scott of Randolph and his dog Blue came out to support JBWS.
Bob Chavez, second from right, leads a team of 28 from Wakefern.
Whitney Boglioli joined her younger brother Drew and his Craig School Team of runners for the event.
Gopala Kurra and Pradeep Linga run for ADP,
a main sponsor of the event.
Joan Tako, Nancy Brennen, Dawn Gabriel, Sharon Romero,
and Carolyn Bardach join the walkers after
volunteering at the registration table.
The children enjoyed face painting and arts and crafts
prior to the kids' races.
Fran Libasci, JBWS Development Director and
Mark Zenobia ofOn Your Mark Productions congratulate each other on a successful event.
4th Annual Candlelight Vigil Sheds Light on Domestic Violence
More than two hundred community members shed light on the problem of abuse at the Candlelight Vigil to honor victims and survivors and to call attention to the problem of teen dating abuse in Morris County, NJ.
Silhouettes representing local women who were killed by a partner were displayed on the Morristown Green as part of the Silent Witness Project. Dozens of colorful t-shirts and banners created by youth groups from Morris County hang in the background.
JBWS Executive Director Patty Sly urges community members to end the silence that surrounds teenage dating abuse and to talk with their kids about the issue.
Deputy Morris County Freeholder Director William J. Chegwidden greets a woman attending the Vigil while Mary Jo Buchanon of the Morris County Department of Human Services looks on. Deputy Chegwidden made the opening remarks at the event.
Groups from throughout Morris County made banners to demonstrate thier support for victims of teen and domestic abuse. Ten youth groups participated in the event.
Tenth Annual "Hope Classic" Raises Much Needed Funds and Awareness for Victims of Domestic Abuse
JULY 2009 (Bernardsville, NJ) Ninety-two golfers and 24 tennis players raised $140,000 to aid victims of domestic abuse at the Jersey Battered Women’s Service’s tenth annual Hope Classic held at the beautiful Somerset Hills Country Club on July 13 and 17th. The event included a day of golf, tennis, silent auction, luncheon and an awards dinner.
Golfers enjoy a beutiful day of golf while signs with factoids about the problem of domestic violence offer a subtle reminder of the importance of helping victims.
JBWS executive director Patty Sly expressed her gratitude to all of the participants and sponsors during what has been a tough financial year for many. “We found the demand for our services has risen dramatically during the recession,” explains Sly. “The number of women and children in our safe house is up 20%, and there is no doubt it would be even greater if we had additional space. In fact,” Sly announced, “we are in the process of adding a 12th bedroom which should be available for use later this summer. Today, we have 33 women and children in our safe house. We have another 29 women and children in our transitional living facility.”
JBWSexecutive director Patty Sly (l-r) with Jim Gerace of Verizon Wireless and Dawn Gabriel, JBWS Board President.
Dawn Gabriel, JBWS Board President, thanked Title Sponsor Verizon Wireless for their generosity and commitment to ending domestic violence. This is the company’s tenth straight year as title sponsor of the event. Verizon Wireless encouraged participants to bring their old wireless phones to the event to be refurbished and distributed to victims of domestic violence through its Hopeline Program. Other key sponsors of the event were Merck & Co., Inc., Chubb & Son, and Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
Ann Probert, Honorary Chair is picture with Tee Golden, Golf Co-Chair. Michael Weir also served as Golf Co-Chair and Janet Jones was the Tennis Chair for the event.
For more information on Hope Classic 2010, contact Fran Libasci, Development Director at 973-267-7520
Ext. 123.
Chefs and Vendors Create a Grand Tastings Event to Benefit JBWS
West Orange, NJ (May 18, 2009) – Jersey Battered Women’s Service (JBWS), a Morris County based non-profit organization raised $240,000 at its annual “Grand Tastings” held at the Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange on Monday, May 18, 2009. More than 350 guests enjoyed the combined culinary talents of nineteen top chefs from the areas finest restaurants, including guest Chef David Burke of David Burke Fromagerie of Rumson, NJ. Chef Burke is one of the leading pioneers in American cooking today.
Guests received a signed copy of David Burke’s New American Classics.
Chef Corey W. Heyer of The Bernards Inn, (left) is pictured with event chairs Tom Russo and Elaine Noonan. Chef Heyer, along with Scott Cutaneo of Restaurant Equus and Gary Fisch of Gary’s Wine & Marketplace, were the coordinators for the grand event. Please see a complete list and bios for all of our wonderful CHEFS and VENDORS.
During the event, JBWS recognized three special honorees for their passion and commitment to JBWS and its mission. The corporate honoree, Merck & Co., Inc., was acknowledged for investing generously in the well being of its employees, its communities and for continuous financial support and service to the JBWS Board of Directors since 2003. “Our partnership with JBWS is a testament to our commitment to the community,” remarked Anastasia Daifotis, Vice President of Medical Affairs for Merck & Co. Inc. “We are pleased to be able to provide services so needed by women, teens and young adults.”
Philanthropic honorees were The Citron Family whose members Suzanne and Jeffrey founded the Charles Lafitte Foundation. The foundation’s support for JBWS has helped to fund services for the children at the residential facilities. The family has actively involved their children Kyra and Noah in the foundation’s money allocation decisions. Kyra thanked JBWS for letting her be a part of helping the kids. “I want to help kids worry about normal things like homework and not their parents’ fights,” she said.
Barbara Ridder Irwin of New Vernon, NJ, (pictured on left with Julia Peet) a loyal donor and friend of JBWS since 1986, was also recognized at the event for contributing to the agency’s its single largest individual gift. Because Barbara also understood that victims of domestic violence are afraid to leave their pets behind when coming to the JBWS safe house, she volunteered to shelter the pets.
A former client of the JBWS services revealed her personal story of abuse and thanked the guests for their support which resulted in her becoming safe and self-sufficient.
May 10, 2010
For information contact Fran Libasci, Director of Development Ext. 123 or flbasci@jbws.org.
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.
Coffee House Attendees Enjoy Great Entertainment and Refreshments.
(Feb. 27, 2009) A fun-filled night of entertainment, snacks and coffee helped to benefit the services of JBWS. Special thanks to the talented entertainers who donated their time: Take 2, The Dynamics, Top Naach and Magician Art Miller. Coffee was donated by SmartWorld Coffee of Morristown and Denville.
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.
JBWS Launches its Spanish Language Community Awareness Campaign
(Oct. 2008) JBWS is proud to announce the beginning of its outreach efforts in the Latino community. Beginning October 2008, billboards and train platform posters throughout the towns of Dover, Morristown and Parsippany. Counter top displays with small discreet brochures are available, along with small posters that can be posted on bulletin boards and in store windows. The campaign materials were created in partnership with Brushfire, Inc. and funded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U. S. Department of Justice.
Donate now, it may help save a life. JBWS is a non-profit tax exempt 501 c 3 organization. Your donation is tax-deductible.