Last year we received a generous grant from the Foundation which enabled us to provide a seven-part workshop series for 20 women on helping develop self esteem. Our target population is displaced homemakers and many are victims of domestic violence (about 75% of the group in the workshops had domestic violence issues). These women need help in regaining or establishing their self esteem in order to move on in all areas of their lives. We were very pleased to report that the group showed a 30% increase in their self esteem over the course of the workshops.... Working with the women in the Foundation was most wonderful and we appreciated their financial support as well as their commitment to women’s issues. Our heartfelt thanks to all and best wishes on your endeavors.
—Elaine Muller, County College of Morris

We have already begun to see the impact of the program on the students as they translate what they have learned into their daily habits and language. Some of the young ladies have begun walking—as far as two miles—to their placement sites, and others make sure to keep their water bottles on hand in class and throughout the day. They have also been inspired to advocate for healthier options for our school lunch.” Similarly, one of the younger program participants was obviously motivated to engage in more physical activity because of the pedometer. One day, several weeks after receiving the pedometer, she ran into the project manager and she excitedly showed it off. She was quoted as saying, “Look, Ms. Robyn, I have on my pedometer!” Being able to measure physical activity and progress had a huge impact on some participants.
—Director of College Placement at North Star Academy Charter School of Newark describing the outcomes of a grant to the Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey

With the support of the Jewish Women’s Foundation, the Essex County Rape Care Center of Family Service League was able to implement the pilot program “Know Before You Go” for young women in their first year of college. The project offered programming to every two-year and four-year college in Essex County and worked closely with area colleges to raise awareness about sexual violence. Training and workshop topics included drug-facilitated date rape, minimizing risk and how to get help. The program’s success led to strong, ongoing relationships with area colleges and ongoing roles on campus for the Rape Care Center educators and trainers. Family Service League is grateful to the Jewish Women’s Foundation for its support of helping young women become aware of the risks of sexual violence, to stay safe, and to get help when they need it.
—Sarah Wolman, Executive Director, Family Service League, Inc.

Thanks to the generous support of Jewish Women’s Foundation of New Jersey, Partners for Women and Justice is able to help hundreds of low-income women, many with incredible strength, courage and determination, secure protections for themselves and their children as they deal with domestic violence and other family law issues. The impact of the Foundation’s support is reflected in a note from one of our clients “The help you gave was priceless. The children and I are settling in and we are doing well. It is such a peaceful time. I guess I forgot how peaceful and wonderful life can be.”
—Jane M. Hanson, Esq., Executive Director, Partners for Women and Justice