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We’re Back! 💜
We hope you had a wonderful summer! After a short break, the Community Action Newsletter is back, and we’re excited to reconnect with you as we head into a busy and meaningful fall.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) — an important opportunity to raise awareness, amplify the voices of survivors, and remind our communities that help, hope, and support are available. Throughout the month, 180 Turning Lives Around will be out in the community, sharing resources, hosting events, and bringing people together to stand against domestic violence and support those impacted by it.
There’s a lot happening at 180 this fall, so keep reading for recent news, upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and other ways you can get involved. Thank you for being part of the 180 community and for helping us continue Lighting the Way Forward during our 50th anniversary year!
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Recent News: Summer Highlights
💜 Making Summer Special
A huge thank-you to everyone who shopped our Safe House Summer Wishlist! Your generosity helped us provide fun summer activities and outings for the residents of Anna’s House, giving families the opportunity to make special memories together throughout the summer.
🎒 Starting the New School Year Strong
We had so much fun celebrating the start of the school year with our families at our Back-to-School BBQs at Anna’s House, our emergency safe house, and Harbour Light, our new transitional housing site.
Thanks to the support of our community, the children and teens we serve headed back to school with new backpacks, lunchboxes, and school supplies. And thanks to The Haverstick Family, each student also received a brand new pair of shoes!
We’re so grateful to everyone who donated:
- The Bucci Family
- EisnerAmper
- GFWC Woman’s Club of Matawan
- GotBooksNJ
- Guardian Life
- Jersey Renovations
- Magnolia Productions NJ
- Lydia Smith & First United Methodist Church of Oakhurst, NJ
- Tatum Surett & The Kindness Project
- The Swaroop Family
And a special thank-you to Luce del Sole for the delicious barbecue, Best Day Ever and Whitecaps Coastal Creamery for the sweet treats, and the Jersey Coast Women’s Club volunteers for helping make these celebrations so special!
Every student deserves to walk into a new school year feeling supported, prepared, and confident. We’re grateful to everyone who helped make that possible for our 180 families.
⛵ Racing for Gold: A Record-Breaking Ms. Race
On August 15, we celebrated the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club's 22nd Annual Ms. Race, and what a day it was! This year’s “Racing for Gold” event raised more than $43,000 for 180 Turning Lives Around, making it the highest-grossing Ms. Race to date!
Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this year’s race so special, including our Spectator Boat Sponsor, Brian Nelson and Spiro Harrison & Nelson. We’re incredibly grateful to the sailors, sponsors, donors, and volunteers who came together to make this incredible day possible.
Want to learn more about the Ms. Race and its impact? Check out our podcast episode.
✨ 50 Events for 50 Years
Our 50th anniversary celebration has been in full swing this summer, with our 50 for 50 campaign bringing together businesses, community partners, friends, and supporters to celebrate five decades of 180 Turning Lives Around.
A huge thank-you to everyone who hosted, participated in, and supported these events:
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Kendra Scott Sip & Shop - July 29
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Magnolia Productions Are the Bennet Girls OK? - July 31-August 8
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J. McLaughlin Sip & Shop - September 9
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Yoga on Tap - September 10
These events are just some of the many ways our community is Lighting the Way Forward during 180’s 50th anniversary year. We’re so grateful to everyone who has made these celebrations possible — and there’s plenty more to come! Check out the full calendar of upcoming events.
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Opportunity: Cars for a Cause, an exotic car show benefiting 180.
Location: Auto Exotica (6 Newman Springs Road, Red Bank, NJ 07701)
Date: Sunday, October 4
Time: Volunteers needed from 9:30 am-2:30 pm to assist with event set up/clean up, registration, 180 info table, photography, and 50/50 raffle sales.
Requirements: Volunteers must be 16+.
Please contact SophianaA@180nj.org to sign up.
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Opportunity: Middletown Day, a community festival with 50/50 raffle benefiting 180.
Location: Croydon Hall (900 Leonardville Road, Leonardo, NJ 07737)
Date: Sunday, October 4
Time: Volunteers needed from 12:00-5:00 pm to assist with 50/50 raffle sales.
Requirements: Volunteers must be 16+.
Please contact SophianaA@180nj.org to sign up.
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Opportunity: Wine tasting experience benefiting 180.
Location: Red Bank, NJ 07701
Date: Wednesday, November 4
Time: Volunteers needed from 6:00-9:30 pm to assist with event set up/clean up and serving food.
Requirements: Volunteers must be 21+.
Please contact SophianaA@180nj.org to sign up.
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Transportation Support - We are seeking reliable and compassionate volunteers to assist with transportation for residential clients in our Safe House Program. This role is essential in helping clients attend appointments, access resources, and maintain stability. Due to the nature of the program, flexibility and a strong sense of responsibility are key. Read the full volunteer description here.
Childcare Support - We are seeking compassionate, patient, and dependable volunteers to provide childcare support within our Safe House Program. This role supports children residing in the program by offering a safe, engaging, and nurturing environment during support groups, activities, and scheduled programming. This is an as-needed, flexible position based on program needs. Read the full volunteer description here.
Please contact CrystalW@180nj.org with any questions or to apply for these roles.
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Childcare Support - We are seeking compassionate, patient, and dependable volunteers to provide childcare support within our Harbour Light Program. This role supports children residing in the program by offering a safe, engaging, and nurturing environment during support groups, activities, and scheduled programming. This is an as-needed, flexible position based on program needs. Read the full volunteer description here.
Please contact SunitaR@180nj.org with any questions or to apply for this role.
| Victim Support Programs (VSP) | | |
180 relies on the support of highly trained volunteers to assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and their families during times of crisis. Volunteers provide support and advocacy during hospital medical examinations, police procedures, and through the criminal justice system. These volunteer roles require 40 hours of training and an ongoing commitment.
Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT) - Visit our website to learn more about the program and how to apply.
Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) - Visit our website to learn more about the program and how to apply.
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2NDFLOOR is 180’s confidential and anonymous helpline for New Jersey’s youth and young adults. It is the only 180 program serving the entire state, beyond Monmouth County.
2NDFLOOR isn't just answering helpline calls; it can be so much more! Take a look at the new and exciting volunteer opportunities linked below. Each one allows for creativity, flexibility, and encourages our volunteers to use their unique talents, interests, and resources. There are so many ways to help…each one makes a difference.
Visit the 2NDFLOOR website for more information about volunteer opportunities.
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In addition to monetary contributions, donations of goods and services are vital to 180’s operations.
We are most in need of:
Gift Cards:
- Gas or Uber/Lyft (these are especially important for helping clients get to their 180 therapy sessions)
- Grocery stores
Personal Care:
- Larger size diapers (4, 5, 6) and pull-ups
- Shampoo and conditioner (for all hair types; full size bottles preferred)
- Body wash and lotion (full size bottles preferred)
- Face wash and moisturizer (for all skin types; full size bottles preferred)
- Vaseline, Aquaphor, and chapstick
- Shaving cream (for women and men)
- Deodorant (for women and men)
- Tampons and pads (all sizes)
Clothing:
*Please note: Due to health regulations, all clothing must be brand new with tags.
- Halloween costumes (for newborns through teens)
- Winter coats (for women, men, and children/teens of all ages)
We are grateful to accept individual donations and to partner with schools, businesses, and community groups on donation drives. Please email SophianaA@180nj.org to make arrangements and coordinate drop off.
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There’s no better time to get involved with 180 than Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM)! Throughout October, we’ll be out in the community raising awareness, sharing resources, and bringing people together to support survivors.
Join us at an upcoming event and show your support for 180!
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Cars for a Cause on Sunday, October 4. Attend as a spectator or register an exotic car. Proceeds benefit 180.
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Middletown Day on Sunday, October 4. Buy a 50/50 raffle ticket benefiting 180 - need not be present to win!
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Bedtime Yoga Zoom Session on Friday, October 23. Support 180 from anywhere through this virtual event! A portion of ticket sales will be donated to 180.
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Middletown Mayor's 5k on Saturday, October 24. Wear a Halloween costume and participate in the 5k walk or run, or 1 mile fun run. 180 is the beneficiary of the race.
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Jets vs Dolphins at MetLife on Sunday, October 25. Join 180 in our reserved sections in either the lower or upper endzone. A portion of ticket sales will be donated to 180.
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Your voice matters. By liking, commenting, and sharing our posts, you help extend the reach of our campaigns and events—small actions that make a big difference.
Connect with us
| | If you or someone you know has been affected by domestic violence or sexual assault, please contact 180 Turning Lives Around at 732-264-4111 or visit www.180nj.org for 24/7 support and resources. | | | | |
1 Bethany Rd,
Hazlet, NJ
07730
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