Center for Hope & Safety Raises Awareness During Domestic Violence Awareness Month with Community Events

Rochelle Park, N.J. (September 26, 2023) – October is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Center for Hope & Safety (CHS), Bergen County’s only not-for-profit agency dedicated to helping adults and children rebuild their lives beyond domestic violence and abuse, is hosting several events to raise awareness of domestic violence in Bergen County. Proceeds from the events will fund essential support services to assist adults and children who are victims of domestic violence rebuild their lives. 

“Bergen County is reporting record high numbers of domestic abuse,” said Julye Myner, PhD, Executive Director of Center for Hope & Safety. “Our 24/7 hotline received 80 percent more calls in 2022 than the year prior, along with a 108 percent increase in the number of adults and children we sheltered. The services we provide have become more important and more necessary than ever before. Throughout Domestic Violence Awareness Month we’ll be working to engage the community with events and activities where we will come together to stand against domestic abuse.” 

Domestic Violence Awareness Month events hosted by Center for Hope & Safety include:

Light Up the Night Against Domestic Violence 

October 4, 2023 

6:15 PM 

Van Saun County Park, Paramus NJ

The Annual Candlelight Vigil for Hope is a night to help raise domestic violence awareness and remember lives lost due to domestic violence. Attendees include Bergen County domestic violence survivors and family members of victims who share their stories of survivorship, hope, healing and remembrance throughout the vigil. The vigil is free to attend and is open to the community. 

The Art of Survival Annual Reception 

October 12, 2023 

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM 

The Art School at Old Church, 561 Piermont Rd, Demarest, NJ 

The 10th annual Art of Survival Annual Reception celebrates the powerful art created by Bergen County domestic violence and sexual assault survivors who participated in The Art of Survival workshops provided by Center for Hope & Safety supported through a grant from the Bergen County Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs. The art exhibit is open to the public and will be on display throughout the month of October with a special viewing and reception on October 12, 2023. 

United Against DV 

October 18, 2023 

4 PM - 7PM 

LP&G’s Headquarters located at 610 Winters Ave, Paramus, NJ.

In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, David Lloyd and his company LP&G a leading retail solutions provider, will host a United Against DV event to help combat domestic violence in Bergen County. Lloyd and LP&G have partnered with Center for Hope & Safety to create a powerful evening that will closely examine the complexities of domestic abuse and how our communities can be a catalyst for breaking the cycle of abuse. United Against DV will take place on October 18, 2023 from 4 PM – 7PM at LP&G’s Headquarters located at 610 Winters Ave, Paramus, NJ. 

The event will feature an intimate conversation led by Julye Myner, Ph.D., Executive Director of Center for Hope & Safety, with the nation’s leading writer on domestic violence, Rachel Louise Snyder, who will dismantle the myths surrounding domestic violence and discuss her New York Times Top Ten Book, No Visible Bruises. Lloyd will present domestic violence survivor and National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) President, Ruth Glenn, with the IMPACT award during the event in recognition of her work and advocacy for victims and survivors of domestic abuse. 

Tickets for United Against DV are $175 each, and sponsorships are on sale now. Both can be purchased now at www.UnitedAgainstDV.com. 

WALK TOGETHER Against Domestic Violence 

October 28, 2023  

10:00 AM 

Van Saun County Park, 216 Forest Ave,, Paramus NJ at Parking Lot 9. Pavilion 

Be a part of the domestic violence prevention movement. The 3K walk in Van Saun Park provides an opportunity for the community to show support for local and national social change efforts to end domestic violence. 

Registration is required and there is a $30 donation to participate per walker. For registration and sponsorship opportunities visit: https://www.hopeandsafetynj.org/walk-together-against-domestic-violence/ 

Proceeds from the events support Center for Hope & Safety’s life-saving programs for victims, survivors, and their families including safety and escape planning, safe housing, legal services, art therapy programs for adults and children, career counseling, economic empowerment programs, food pantry and more. 

For immediate access to crisis intervention, counseling and referrals including enrollment in our safe house for you or someone you know call: (201) 944-9600 or visit: https://www.hopeandsafetynj.org/.

About Center for Hope & Safety 

Center for Hope & Safety is Bergen County’s only not-for-profit agency dedicated to helping adults and children rebuild their lives beyond domestic violence. Since 1976, Center for Hope & Safety has been providing a safe haven and critical support services for domestic violence survivors and their children throughout Bergen County. Our mission is to assist adults and children who are victims of domestic violence, including emotional, economic, sexual and physical abuse. We offer a full spectrum of free services designed to address and support emotional, physical and financial healing, including a legal services program to provide free legal representation, advice and counsel on restraining orders, appeals and emergent custody, visitation, child support, spousal support and other domestic violence family law matters. Our free, confidential hotline answers more than 7,500 calls a year and operates 7 days a week, 365 days a year. For immediate access to crisis intervention, counseling and referrals including enrollment in our safe house call (201) 944-9600 or visit: https://www.hopeandsafetynj.org/.