Celebrating 40 Years of Domestic Violence Services

Garwood, NJ – On October 4th, join the YWCA Union County in celebrating 40 years of providing domestic violence services at their 40th Anniversary Gala. The event will be held on Thursday, October 4, 2018 from 6 to 9 PM at The Westwood in Garwood, New Jersey. This lively event will feature a cocktail hour for networking, a sit-down dinner, dessert, a survivor’s speech, and more.

The theme of the evening is Celebrating Women’s Leadership. In keeping with this theme, the YWCA Union County will be honoring female elected officials who give women a voice throughout the county.

40th Anniversary Honorees:

Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver

Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman

Assemblywomen Linda Carter, Nancy Munoz, and Annette Quijano

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi

Mayors Shelley Brindle (Westfield), Suzette Cavadas (Union), Christine Dansereau (Roselle), Colleen Mahr (Fanwood), Nora Radest (Summit), and Dahlia Vertreese (Hillside)

Freeholders Angela Garretson, Bette Jane Kowalski, Rebecca Williams, and

Vernell Wright (retired)

We are also very pleased to share that the new YWCA USA CEO, Alejandra Y. Castillo, Esq., will be our keynote speaker for the evening.

The YWCA’s Mission is eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. In 1978, our organization dedicated its mission to an urgent need in our communities – domestic violence. YWCA Union County is on a mission to empower survivors of domestic violence to become safe and free from abuse through comprehensive, client-centered services, and through education, collaboration and advocacy that builds safe, informed and supportive communities.

Domestic violence crosses all barriers of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender and socioeconomic status and it is a crime that impacts our entire community. It is estimated that 1 in every 4 women will be effected by domestic violence in her life- more than breast cancer, lung cancer, and ovarian cancer combined. The monetary cost of domestic violence in the United States in dollars has been estimated to exceed 5.8 billion a year in medical and mental health services, loss of productivity, and loss of paid earnings. An average of 3 women per day in the United States are killed as a result of domestic violence.

The YWCA’s 40th Anniversary Gala will be held on October 4, 2018 at The Westwood. Proceeds of the event will benefit the YWCA Union County’s Domestic Violence Programs. For more information or tickets, contact Shannon Myre by email at smyre@ywcaunioncounty.org.

If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the 24-Hour Hotline at 908-355-HELP (4357).