Nine New Jersey Shelters Share More Than $274,000 in Grants for Emergency Power Generators

TRENTON, NJ - Ensuring that New Jersey's domestic violence shelters can operate with little interruption during power outages and weather emergencies like Superstorm Sandy, the Christie Administration is providing more than $274,000 in grants to nine shelters for emergency power generators.  New Jersey Department of Children and Families Commissioner Allison Blake made the announcement today during a visit to Providence House of Catholic Charities, a domestic violence shelter in Ocean County.

"When a domestic violence victim summons the courage to leave an abusive partner -whenever that moment occurs - they need the safety of an open shelter," said Commissioner Allison Blake of the New Jersey Department of Children and Families. "It is heartbreaking to imagine someone escaping a violent relationship and finding the shelter they were relying on closed due to a temporary power outage."

Many shelters lost power during Superstorm Sandy, significantly disrupting their effort to fully assist individuals seeking refuge from domestic violence.  Emergency power generators will help these shelters remain open, providing safe and temporary lodging for abuse victims and their children.

"We lost power during Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane Irene, which forced us to close and move families to other shelters," said Anna Diaz White of Hazlet-based 180 Turning Lives Around.  "Having an emergency generator means families traumatized by domestic violence can remain safe and protected in our shelter the next time we lose power."

"When we lose power, we lose heat, our security system doesn't work, we lose food in our refrigerator, and it hinders our ability to help domestic violence victims through our 24 hour hotlines," said Marlene Lao-Collins, executive director of Catholic Charities of Trenton.  "For victims of violence and their children, communal living in a shelter already presents its own difficulties, and a prolonged power disruption can reactivate past traumas.  Emergency generators for our Burlington and Ocean Safe Houses make our shelters an even more secure and safe place for victims to heal."

Shelters receiving grants are:

• 180 Turning Lives Around, Monmouth County
• Atlantic County Women's Shelter, Atlantic County
• Babyland Family Violence Program, Essex County
• Center for Family Services, Cumberland County
• Center for Family Services, Gloucester County
• Passaic County Women's Shelter, Passaic County
• Providence House of Catholic Charities-Burlington, Burlington County,
• Providence House of Catholic Charities-Ocean, Ocean County
• Resource Center of Somerset, Somerset County

"These grants mean no one needs to be turned away and that there's always a safe place for someone to break free of violence and build a new life," said Blake.

The New Jersey Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  The number is 800-572-SAFE (7233).  Information about DCF's domestic violence programs is available at http://nj.gov/dcf/women/domestic/.

DCF is dedicated to ensuring a better today and an even greater tomorrow for every individual the department serves.  In partnership with New Jersey's communities, DCF ensures the safety, well-being, and success of New Jersey's children and families.  DCF funds and directly provides services and support to over 100,000 women, children and families each month.