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Family Service League

Mountainside Health Foundation Grants $43,000 to Help Victims of Family Violence

Collaboration with Family Service League Brings Hotline and Free Counseling to Families in Need

Family violence is an issue that permeates every community, affecting people of all ages, incomes and backgrounds with potentially devastating and widespread consequences. The recent shooting at the Montclair YMCA tragically brought this problem to light, revealing the
profound impact of domestic violence on the physical and mental health of survivors, their families and our society at large.

To advance its mission of fostering healthier communities, the Mountainside Health Foundation has funded the Recovery from Family Violence Project to be implemented by the Family Service League (FSL) in Montclair, New Jersey. Dedicated to supporting and strengthening families in need throughout Essex County, the non-profit organization received a $43,222 grant to launch an initiative aimed at helping victims of family violence and preventing future occurrences.

“Family violence undermines the social fabric of our communities — the well-being of children, families and the functionality of our educational system,” asserted Sarah B. Wolman, Esq., Executive Director, FSL. “There are real implications for our entire society when families are suffering in this way.”

New Jersey’s latest crime data indicates that family violence is prevalent across the state: 73,749 incidents of domestic violence were documented in 2006, with approximately one third of those cases involving children. Sadly, family violence is often cloaked by silence and is vastly underreported; the actual number of family violence cases is estimated to exceed 222,000. Statistics confirm that these crimes occur in every North Essex municipality, including such communities as Montclair, Glen Ridge, Bloomfield, North Caldwell and Essex Fells.

Family violence, as defined by the American Psychological Association, represents a range of physical, sexual and emotional maltreatment of one family member against another. Without intervention, families often suffer from multiple and recurring forms of abuse.

Recognizing the compelling need to break the cycle of family violence and facilitate access to essential services, the Family Service League will offer a 24-hour hotline, therapeutic counseling, and meaningful referrals to aid victims and their families as well as first responders, such as medical staff and law enforcement officials. The hotline will be an extension of the Essex County Rape Care Center hotline, also operated by FSL, whereby trained advocates will assist callers by assessing their needs and serving as a gateway to resources within the community, such as health care, safe housing and legal aid. Free and unlimited professional therapy will be available to promote healing and reduce risk of future abuse.

“While we have been serving families for many years, this grant allows us to provide an orchestrated, comprehensive initiative focused on domestic violence,” stressed Ms. Wolman. “Our goal is to help individuals understand their options and equip them with the tools to cope, recover and rebuild their families.”

“The Foundation is pleased to partner with the Family Service League in this valuable outreach project, which clearly responds to a vital, timely health priority,” added M. Ann Johnson, Chair, Board of Trustees, Mountainside Health Foundation. “The collaborative endeavor will improve access to mental health services in the region while helping many families and reducing the incidence of domestic violence.”

The Recovery from Family Violence Project will be launched this fall. Details about the hotline and other free services will be publicized in medical facilities, municipal offices, community centers and various locales throughout Essex County.