JBWS

Results: 2019 by the Numbers: KEPT VICTIMS SAFE 5,039 people needing confidential assistance received information, counseling and referrals on the 24-HOUR HELPLINE. 1,009 victims received critical LEGAL INFORMATION AND SUPPORT on their civil and criminal cases. 585 interventions were made by volunteer CRISIS RESPONSE TEAMS at local police stations. 157 adults and children found protection in the EMERGENCY SAFE ARBOUR HOUSE for a total of 6,262 nights of stay. HELPED VICTIMS HEAL 221 adult victims of abuse received 5,551 hours of counseling in the COMMUNITY COUNSELING PROGRAM. 50 survivors and their 65 children gathered for a private DAY OF UNITY luncheon to share their success stories. PROVIDED SECOND CHANCES 317 people learned ALTERNATIVES TO USING FORCE AND ABUSE in their relationships through 6.500 hours of group counseling. PROMOTED VOLUNTEER SERVICE 15,987 hours were donated by more than 120 dedicated VOLUNTEERS. FOSTERED SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND STABILITY 78 survivors received individual and/or classroom VOCATIONAL COUNSELING, computer instruction, and financial literacy training. 53 adults and children made a temporary home in the SIMON HOUSE TRANSITIONAL LIVING apartment units for a total of 10,744 nights while transitioning into affordable permanent housing in the community. HELPED KIDS HEAL 4,547 hours of CHILDREN’S SERVICES were provided to children residing in the safe house and transitional apartments, and children who participated in counseling, recreation and structured play programs. 22 children became more hopeful and resilient during one week of sleep away camp at the Daniel J. Wilcox Camp HOPE-NJ. 160 at-risk teens learned how to avoid dating and domestic violence through PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL TEEN GROUPS in community youth settings. INCREASED ACCESS TO COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES 402 adults and 42 children received comprehensive counseling, specialized services of multiple agencies, and/or group counseling, all within the MORRIS FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER. IMPROVED INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSE 1,313 nurses, mental health counselors, police officers, volunteers and more received SPECIALIZED PROFESSIONAL TRAINING on domestic violence. EDUCATED THE COMMUNITY 10,131 people learned about the problem of domestic violence during COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAMS. PREVENTED TEEN DATING ABUSE 8,477 youth and young adults, during 344 presentations, received information on DATING ABUSE PREVENTION. LENT A HELPING HAND Hundreds of children received BACK PACKS filled with school supplies and a gift card for school clothes. Over 100 families received turkeys and all the fixings for THANKSGIVING DINNER. Hundreds of families with children received donated HOLIDAY TOYS AND GIFTS.

Target demographics: We help all victims of domestic violence to find safety, support and solutions. Our vision is to create a community-wide culture that does not tolerate the presence of any form of family or partner violence... a culture that holds abusers accountable for their actions and victims blameless for their victimization... and a culture that works purposefully to foster healthy relationships, teaching all children the importance of mutual respect between partners.

Geographic areas served: The greater Morris County, NJ area. Any person who lives or works in Morris County can seek services at JBWS.

Programs: The Arbour House: 24-Hour Emergency Shelter and Helpline: The JBWS helpline is staffed 24 hours a day by trained staff and volunteers. It offers the caller access to information, support, referrals, and (when needed and appropriate) emergency protection through the Arbour House, JBWS’ emergency shelter. Callers often learn about the helpline through police, hospital, published information and referral, individual counselors, and helpful friends and family members. Staffed 24 hours a day, the shelter program offers safe, temporary housing, and a supportive group atmosphere to battered women and their children forced to flee their homes. Through individual and group counseling, women explore options to a life free from violence, learn problem solving skills, restore self-confidence and self-esteem, reduce feelings of isolation, gain knowledge of the law and develop safety plans. Women are also given housing and financial resource referrals. Morris Family Justice Center: The MFJC is a best practice, safety-focused and victim-centered model offering a variety of coordinated services including JBWS, police, prosecutor, attorneys, and other service providers under one roof in one comfortable, inviting space. Services include counseling, protection, legal and immigration assistance, children's services, etc. in one place. The MFJC is a safe, supportive environment in Morristown at 10 Court Street in Morristown. Clients can make appointments or walk in. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 4:30 plus two evenings for appointments, support groups, and additional counseling. Simon House Transitional Living and Vocational Programs: Located in the Simon House, these programs include integrated psychoeducational and vocational counseling, a professional training facility, and 11 secure apartments in which battered women and their children can live for an average of 15 to 18 months. In addition to counseling for the abuse, residents can utilize the much needed resource center that will provide life skills education, computer training, vocational counseling, housing and job search skills, child care and parenting assistance, and financial education. The program aims to bridge the gap between emergency shelter and permanent housing. Children’s Program: This program gives children special assistance in being safe as they also learn to cope in the midst of family violence. It provides an opportunity to break the inter-generational cycle of violence, teach non-violent discipline and problem solving techniques, and offer children the information, support and love they need during a family crisis. Children range in age from infants to teenagers. The services offered include: individual and group counseling, trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy, parenting education, advocacy, information and referral, family meetings, recreational activities, holiday celebrations, and special events. Legal Advocacy Program: JBWS recognizes that the court process can be frightening and overwhelming for victims of domestic violence. Through the Legal Advocacy Program (LAP), JBWS has a consistent and recognized presence in the Superior Court’s Family Division. The LAP staff provides legal referrals, court preparation, advocacy and accompaniment for victims. Since 1992, in collaboration with the Morris County Bar Association, JBWS offers the Battered Women’s Legal Advocacy Project (BWLAP). This service provides pro bono legal representation to victims at final restraining order hearings. Community Counseling Services (CCS): CCS serves battered women living in the community who do not require the protection of the shelter program. It provides short-term, goal-oriented individual counseling, information and referral, and group counseling. Community Education Program: Public information about the nature, scope and effects of domestic violence is presented to the community through educational programs for general audiences, in-service training for professionals, such as police, hospital personnel, clergy, educators and human service providers, our website, www.jbws.org, and newspaper and magazine articles. No2DatingAbuse is an educational program designed to identify the causes, effects and early predictors of dating violence, and provides counseling for those teens in need of help. Teachers, guidance counselors and nurses are familiarized with the unique needs of this population. Jersey Center for Non-Violence (JCNV): JCNV is a counseling program to help people examine the use of force and/or abuse within intimate relationships and to learn alternatives to violence. Initially, participants meet privately with a professional counselor. From there, they join one of the many groups held throughout the week. By hearing the perspectives of others, as well as the insight from facilitators, participants develop new personal outlook. Vista: Vista offers free, non-judgmental individual and group counseling to women who use tactics of coercion, control or violence in their intimate relationships. This group addresses the complexity of women's use of force with partners, recognizing that some of these women may also be victims of domestic violence.