| SAFE in Hunterdon Lends Support to Community New support groups at local domestic violence and sexual assault agency address the needs of individuals and their families |
FLEMINGTON, NJ, MAY 26, 2009- SAFE in Hunterdon announces that new groups are now forming, with the first sessions beginning on
Thursday, May 29th. Many of the new group sessions are aimed at providing information and support for all individuals in the community, not
just those experiencing violence or abuse. Participants in SAFE in Hunterdon’s group sessions grow as individuals and gain an understanding of
healthy relationships and how to deal with stressors effectively.
Some sessions are closed, meaning individuals must join these groups at the first meeting, and attend each subsequent meeting. Others are
open, meaning participants can join these groups at any time during the session cycle. Please contact SAFE in Hunterdon for dates and times.
All groups are held in the afternoons and/or evenings.
Parenting Groups
STEP: Systematic Training for Effective Parenting: During this 10-week closed educational parenting group, mothers will learn to
understand their children’s behavior, listen and talk to their children, and use appropriate forms of discipline.
The Roots of Loving Parenting: A Support Group for Mothers: A 12-week closed discussion-based group in which the facilitators and
participants explore various tools for building strong parent-child bonds that foster respect, compassion and love.
Creating Peace in your Home, Self and Life: A 14-week group designed to help women develop the inner resources needed to maintain a
sense of peace and balance in the face of parenting’s many challenges.
MMOMM’S GROUP: Mothers Making Other Mindful Moments: Through the use of interactive drama and theater play during this 12-
week closed group, participants will learn to make positive changes and thoughtful decisions for themselves as these relate to their roles as
parents.
Healing & Personal Growth Support Groups
Violence Support Group: An open group for victims and survivors of all types of abuse intended to enable participants to express their
feelings in a safe and supportive atmosphere, explore safety strategies and learn about their legal rights.
Triple Jeopardy: This 12-week closed group, offered to victims/survivors of abuse who also suffer from mental health and/or substance
abuse issues, focuses on learning assertiveness skills in order to achieve emotional well-being and build healthy relationships.
Your Song: A Music Support Group for Women: A 10-week closed group that, using music as a healing vehicle, provides a safe and
supportive setting for survivors to journey through the growth and healing process. No musical skills or experience are necessary.
SELF: Focusing on increasing self-awareness and improving self-care, this closed group is offered to survivors of abuse who are seeking to
move to a new level of honoring the self.
Healthy Foundations for Kids: This new children’s program will teach general safety skills, positive self awareness and social awareness to
children between the ages of 3 and 12. Groups will consist of twelve weekly sessions that are designed so that children will be able to join any
time during a cycle.
PALS: Peace, A Learned Solution: Unlike the new prevention group, Healthy Foundations, this creative arts therapy program is for children
who have witnessed domestic violence in their family relationships. PALS offers children ages 4-12 the opportunity to experience healing
through art, music, and drama therapy. The program also provides case management support for the non-offending parent, as well as family
therapy. The PALS program is currently accepting new referrals.
“Attending a support group can be such an empowering experience,” said Kimberly Spangenberg, executive director for SAFE in Hunterdon.
“Not only do participants receive guidance and validation from the facilitator, they also realize their own self-worth and power through mutual
sharing with other group members.”
If you are interested in participating in one of the new groups at SAFE in Hunterdon, please contact the director of children’s services, Annie
Choc, at 908.788.7666, ext. 229.
About SAFE in Hunterdon
In an atmosphere of professionalism, excellence and compassion, the mission of SAFE in Hunterdon is to provide safety through free and
confidential services for victims and survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, including all ages, genders, cultures, religions, sexual orientations
and abilities; empower victims, survivors and their families to live enriched lives free from violence; heighten our community’s awareness of
domestic and sexual abuse; and end domestic and sexual abuse in society. Through a 24-hour hotline, safe and transitional housing, legal
advocacy, individual and group counseling, community education and PALS, a unique children’s arts therapy program, SAFE in Hunterdon
delivers critical support services to the many families that have experienced violence in their lives. For more information, please visit www.
safeinhunterdon.org or call (908) 788-7666. If you or someone you know is in need of help, please call our 24-hour hotline at 1 (888) 988-4033
or (908) 788-4044.
Thursday, May 29th. Many of the new group sessions are aimed at providing information and support for all individuals in the community, not
just those experiencing violence or abuse. Participants in SAFE in Hunterdon’s group sessions grow as individuals and gain an understanding of
healthy relationships and how to deal with stressors effectively.
Some sessions are closed, meaning individuals must join these groups at the first meeting, and attend each subsequent meeting. Others are
open, meaning participants can join these groups at any time during the session cycle. Please contact SAFE in Hunterdon for dates and times.
All groups are held in the afternoons and/or evenings.
Parenting Groups
STEP: Systematic Training for Effective Parenting: During this 10-week closed educational parenting group, mothers will learn to
understand their children’s behavior, listen and talk to their children, and use appropriate forms of discipline.
The Roots of Loving Parenting: A Support Group for Mothers: A 12-week closed discussion-based group in which the facilitators and
participants explore various tools for building strong parent-child bonds that foster respect, compassion and love.
Creating Peace in your Home, Self and Life: A 14-week group designed to help women develop the inner resources needed to maintain a
sense of peace and balance in the face of parenting’s many challenges.
MMOMM’S GROUP: Mothers Making Other Mindful Moments: Through the use of interactive drama and theater play during this 12-
week closed group, participants will learn to make positive changes and thoughtful decisions for themselves as these relate to their roles as
parents.
Healing & Personal Growth Support Groups
Violence Support Group: An open group for victims and survivors of all types of abuse intended to enable participants to express their
feelings in a safe and supportive atmosphere, explore safety strategies and learn about their legal rights.
Triple Jeopardy: This 12-week closed group, offered to victims/survivors of abuse who also suffer from mental health and/or substance
abuse issues, focuses on learning assertiveness skills in order to achieve emotional well-being and build healthy relationships.
Your Song: A Music Support Group for Women: A 10-week closed group that, using music as a healing vehicle, provides a safe and
supportive setting for survivors to journey through the growth and healing process. No musical skills or experience are necessary.
SELF: Focusing on increasing self-awareness and improving self-care, this closed group is offered to survivors of abuse who are seeking to
move to a new level of honoring the self.
Healthy Foundations for Kids: This new children’s program will teach general safety skills, positive self awareness and social awareness to
children between the ages of 3 and 12. Groups will consist of twelve weekly sessions that are designed so that children will be able to join any
time during a cycle.
PALS: Peace, A Learned Solution: Unlike the new prevention group, Healthy Foundations, this creative arts therapy program is for children
who have witnessed domestic violence in their family relationships. PALS offers children ages 4-12 the opportunity to experience healing
through art, music, and drama therapy. The program also provides case management support for the non-offending parent, as well as family
therapy. The PALS program is currently accepting new referrals.
“Attending a support group can be such an empowering experience,” said Kimberly Spangenberg, executive director for SAFE in Hunterdon.
“Not only do participants receive guidance and validation from the facilitator, they also realize their own self-worth and power through mutual
sharing with other group members.”
If you are interested in participating in one of the new groups at SAFE in Hunterdon, please contact the director of children’s services, Annie
Choc, at 908.788.7666, ext. 229.
About SAFE in Hunterdon
In an atmosphere of professionalism, excellence and compassion, the mission of SAFE in Hunterdon is to provide safety through free and
confidential services for victims and survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, including all ages, genders, cultures, religions, sexual orientations
and abilities; empower victims, survivors and their families to live enriched lives free from violence; heighten our community’s awareness of
domestic and sexual abuse; and end domestic and sexual abuse in society. Through a 24-hour hotline, safe and transitional housing, legal
advocacy, individual and group counseling, community education and PALS, a unique children’s arts therapy program, SAFE in Hunterdon
delivers critical support services to the many families that have experienced violence in their lives. For more information, please visit www.
safeinhunterdon.org or call (908) 788-7666. If you or someone you know is in need of help, please call our 24-hour hotline at 1 (888) 988-4033
or (908) 788-4044.
| SAFE in Hunterdon • 47 E. Main Street • Flemington, NJ 08822 • Outreach office: 908-788-7666 • 24-hour hotline: 888-988-4033 |
Media Contact:
Andrea Lovas
Manager, Donor
Relations & Events
(908) 788-7666 x213
alovas@safeinhunterdon.org
Andrea Lovas
Manager, Donor
Relations & Events
(908) 788-7666 x213
alovas@safeinhunterdon.org
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Serving victims and survivors of domestic and sexual abuse for over 30 years
