New Jersey Charity Building Biggest Safe House in the State

Alyssa Pepsney, Staff Writer

New Jersey’s Largest Safe House

By Alyssa Pepsny

 

180 Turning Lives Around is building the biggest safe house in New Jersey.  180 Turning Lives Around is a New Jersey based non-profitable charity with the goal of ending domestic violence and sexual assaults in our community. This safe house, which is in an undisclosed location in order to protect the abuse victims living there, will be opened in early 2016.

The safe house is used as a shelter for those who are victims of domestic abuse. Families are able to stay in the safe house for thirty to sixty days. During their stay, victims are able to heal, recover, and rebuild their lives with the help of 180 Turning Lives Around. The charity provides support through various programs such as counseling, legal assistance, safe houses, hotlines, and Amanda’s Easel, an art program, for the children.

According to the charity’s webpage, “Over the past five years, we have had to turn away more than 400 women and their children who needed our help. We simply don’t have the room,” noted Anna Diaz-White, Executive Director of 180. “By doubling our capacity, we are in a position to help so many more people in our community.” The safe house was able to be built due the support of local philanthropists and charities such as the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, the Faith and James Knight Foundation, and the annual Atlantic Highlands Mrs. Race.

Author’s Note:  I have been involved in 180 Turning Lives Around since 2010 when I first participated in the Atlantic Highlands Mrs. Race. Since then, I have written an article for the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club and been involved in the planning process. If you would like to help 180 Turning Lives Around, you can come support them at the Atlantic Highlands Yacht club this August or find other local events on their webpage, 180nj.org.