Rachel Coalition luncheon draws large crowd

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The Rachel Coalition Women to Women Luncheon took place April 17 at the Wilshire Grand Hotel in West Orange. Melissa Dohme Hill, a survivor of a brutal attack who is now a domestic violence advocate and speaker, served as the events keynote speaker. More than 150 people came out to hear […]

‘Terrifying Night, Miraculous Recovery’

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Rachel Coalition will host its annual Women to Women luncheon on Tuesday, April 17, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Wilshire Grand Hotel, 350 Pleasant Valley Way in West Orange. The luncheon will feature a presentation by Melissa Dohme Hill, who was brutally attacked by her high school ex-boyfriend, […]

Domestic violence detention cases to be handled separately

NEWARK, NJ — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced Feb. 16 that a pilot program with a single judge handling all detention hearings in domestic violence cases started Feb. 15 in Essex County. Superior Court Judge Ramona Santiago is hearing the cases. The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office have […]

Rachel Coalition seeks volunteers

FLORHAM PARK, NJ — The Rachel Coalition, a partnership of eight Northern New Jersey organizations, working together to provide services and support programs for victims of domestic violence in Essex and Morris County, is seeking volunteers for its Court Advocate Program. This 40-hour hands-on training program educates participants to assist domestic violence victims with emotional […]

Prevent teen dating violence

LIVINGSTON, NJ — One in three teens in a dating relationship experiences abuse from their partner, according to a press release from the Linda & Rudy Slucker NCJW/Essex Center for Women. As one student described, “I never forgot my high school boyfriend after graduation. He haunted me in nightmares even after I moved away and […]

Essex teens learn ‘Love Shouldn’t Hurt!’

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Does your teenager know the warning signs of an abusive relationship? One in three teens experience verbal or physical abuse from a dating partner. This statistic is the reason that “safe dating” education is required by law in New Jersey. West Orange High School, Montclair High School and Technology High School […]

Rachel Coalition seeks volunteers

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The Rachel Coalition, a partnership of eight Northern New Jersey organizations, working together to provide services and support programs for victims of domestic violence in Essex and Morris counties, is seeking volunteers for its highly respected Court Advocate Program. This 40-hour hands-on training program educates participants to assist domestic violence victims […]

Third annual candlelit vigil for to support victims of domestic violence

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Domestic violence affects every community. It thrives when we are silent, but if we take a stand and work together, we can end domestic abuse. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Rachel Coalition, a division of Jewish Family Service of MetroWest NJ, is excited to join together with the community […]

ECPO offers domestic violence training

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office will again offer a domestic violence training program this fall. Called “Sanctuary,” the program is a 100-hour training program designed to equip community residents to provide crisis intervention and outreach services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, stalking and family members of domestic […]

DREAMing of Essex without domestic violence

DREAMS works to change culture, outcomes in county

DREAMing of Essex without domestic violence

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Domestic violence has long-lasting repercussions beyond the immediate effects of pain, fear and injury. A family touched by domestic violence can struggle to regain its footing, plagued by physical and emotional reminders of its trauma. In Essex County, these families receive help from DREAMS, a program from FAMILYConnections that aims to […]