Federal Budget Cuts Devastate Domestic Violence Group In New Jersey

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A group that expects to serve 1,200 victims of domestic violence and their children in Essex County this year is facing “imminent closure” because of the Trump administration’s ongoing federal budget cuts, spokespeople say.

On Wednesday, the Essex County Family Justice Center (ECFJC) announced that it is struggling to find a partner to replace key government grants that fuel its work, which includes housing and medical care referrals, legal advocacy and counseling.

According to the justice center – which is housed within the Essex County government complex in downtown Newark – it has historically been funded by a combination of federal and state grants.

However, this revenue stream began to dry up in late January, with all government grants either withheld, suspended or not renewed.

The ECFJC has begun searching for opportunities to replace the 87 percent of its operating budget that is no longer provided by government funding. Hopefully – for the sake of the people it serves – the gap can be closed soon, spokespeople said.

Essex County sees some of the highest rates of domestic violence-related assaults and homicides in the state, according to the ECFJC.

The Newark-based group has provided social services to more than 11,300 survivors of domestic violence since launching in 2010. Nearly all of its clients are female, and most are African American (53 percent) or Hispanic (35 percent). Nearly three-fourths of them live in Newark, East Orange, Orange and Irvington.

Domestic abuse is only one hurdle that the justice center’s clients face, the group says on its website:

“In addition to the abuse, they are experiencing, 82% of clients report making less than $20,000 annually, 76% have at least one child under the age of 18, and 21% do not have a high school diploma or GED. The lack of financial resources for food, shelter, and other essentials is a major challenge faced by clients when attempting to leave their abusive relationship.”

“The unique model of the Family Justice Center provides comprehensive services to victims in crisis so that survivors can thrive,” interim executive director Elizabeth Guerriero said.

“The work this center does is critical and crucial to the fabric of Essex County,” Guerriero urged.

The justice center isn’t the only local group that has been left scrambling due to the federal budget cuts happening under President Donald Trump.

In March, New Jersey Citizen Action – a statewide coalition that supports “social, racial and economic justice” – announced that it will be terminating its Fair Housing Program due to cuts from the Trump administration and the Elon Musk-headed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

“This marks a significant setback for fair housing advocacy in the state as it puts the power back into the hands of predatory and unethical landlords and leaves our marginalized communities, especially people of color and our LGBTQIA+ residents, vulnerable to discrimination,” spokespeople said.

“As we are all quickly learning, shock and awe is the point,” NJCA Executive Director Dena Mottola Jaborska said.

“What is happening is unprecedented and no one really knows what to expect with the Trump Administration,” Jaborska added.

• See Related: NJ Nonprofit Will End Fair Housing Program Due To Trump Cuts

Trump has made trimming “woke” ideology from the federal budget one of his priorities since his inauguration.

The White House previously announced plans to put a blanket pause on federal grants and loans, including those that have already been approved. Officials said the freeze is needed to ensure that funding complies with Trump’s recent executive orders, including declarations involving transgender rights, environmental justice, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

• See Related: DOGE Pulled Plug On USAID Diplomat Program, NJ Congresswoman Says

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.