CHRISTIE ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES GRANT TO SUPPORT JERSEY BATTERED WOMEN’S SERVICE
Safety Upgrades and Improvements Will Help Cultivate More Secure Environment at Morris County Facility
Trenton, NJ – Continuing the Christie Administration’s Season of Service outreach to those in need, Michele Brown, Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA), today visited Jersey Battered Women’s Service (JBWS) to announce that the organization has been awarded a $24,571 Shelter Support grant from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA).
This grant will enable JBWS to undertake various improvement and upgrading initiatives at its transitional living facility, which is at a confidential location in Morris County. This includes the replacement of lighting in the parking lot, upgrades to the hot water heater system and an evaluation of its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems to identify any potential safety issues and opportunities for increased energy efficiency.
“From a small group of determined women in Morris County to the full-service domestic violence and abuse prevention agency it is today, JBWS provides an invaluable service to this State by protecting and supporting countless women and families,” said EDA CEO Michele Brown. “The grant funding will allow the organization to make various upgrades to its facility to ensure a more safe and secure environment for the staff, volunteers and victims they serve.”
Founded in 1978, JBWS services include a 24-hour hotline; counseling; safe house; transitional living; children’s services; life skills education; vocational counseling; batterers’ intervention; legal assistance; teen dating violence services; and professional training, education and youth prevention programs. The mission of JBWS is the prevention of domestic violence through the protection and empowerment of the victim, the rehabilitation of family members, and the education of the public about domestic violence and its consequences.
“It is critical that we maintain safe and comfortable facilities for families fleeing from domestic violence,” said JBWS Executive Director Patty Sly. “We rely on capital grants to accomplish facilities projects and are grateful for the DCA’s support.”
In October 2012, the DCA awarded over $4 million in Shelter Support grants to 28 nonprofit and local government agencies operating emergency homeless shelters and transitional housing facilities located throughout New Jersey. These grants will be used to create new emergency shelter beds, abate code violations, address life safety issues in emergency shelters and transitional housing facilities, support existing shelter beds, and purchase equipment, furnishings and vans, resulting in improved living conditions for homeless individuals, victims of domestic violence and military veterans. It is estimated that the shelters and transitional housing facilities receiving Shelter Support grants will assist more than 3,000 households over the next year.
Funding for the grants is a combination of state appropriation and money from the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development. The grants are administered through the DCA’s Division of Housing and Community Resources.
Today’s event in Morris County is part of the Christie Administration’s second annual Season of Service. Last year, Cabinet members participated in approximately 60 events across the state — from serving meals on wheels to shut-ins and helping to serve and stock food pantries to stuffing care packages for military service members overseas and holiday letter writing to troops abroad to collecting and delivering coats to homeless shelters.
Governor Christie has emphasized the importance of community service since his inaugural in 2010. Today, approximately 1.5 million New Jerseyans contribute about 170 million hours of service each year, bringing a positive influence to neighborhoods and communities throughout the Garden State through local groups, houses of worship and civic organizations.
