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 at its Third Annual Candlelight Vigil on Tuesday, October 3, at the Livingston Memorial Oval-Gazebo (South Livingston Avenue, across from Livingston Police Station) from 6:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Local community partner organizations, political leadership and clergy will be present to honor the victims and survivors.
This year marks Rachel Coalition’s 21st anniversary of increasing awareness of domestic abuse issues, by advocating for victims and by providing services to address the needs of victims and their families. Rachel Coalition is proud to host the Candlelight Vigil with Essex County and state agencies including Family Justice Center of Essex County, Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, Safe House/Barnabas Health, Family Connection, West Orange Police Department-DVRT and New Jersey Department of Children and Families.
The Rachel Coalition is a partnership of eight northern New Jersey organizations, whose mission is to provide services and support to help improve the lives of victims of domestic violence. Rachel Coalition has taken a leadership role in developing a continuum of services to help break the cycle of family violence that impacts the community. The Coalition’s programs and services include individual and group counseling, a 24-hour crisis intervention hotline, an emergency safe house, information and referral services, community outreach and education. Additionally, Rachel Coalition holds both a court advocacy training program, which trains volunteers to assist clients as the Essex County Court House, and Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT) training for community members and police officers in Essex County. Access to legal and medical support are available to all on a non-sectarian basis.
