"I felt so trapped and powerless, but I knew that I didn't want my children to grow up thinking that it's okay to hurt someone you love. I decided that enough was enough -- it was time for the hurting to stop, but I didn't know what to do first, who to trust, or where to go for help. Rachel Coalition helped me sort that all out in 'bite size pieces' that I could handle."
COUNSELING SERVICES
The experience of being in an abusive relationship is a very emotionally confusing one. Often the abusive partner alternates between times of being loving and times of being abusive. And abuse comes in many forms: physical, verbal, psychological, financial and sexual. Often a victim needs help sorting through the many troubling dynamics of her (or his - for there are male victims also) relationship. Our counseling program can help clients make sense of these confusing dynamics to allow the victim to gain clarity about her/his situation so that s/he can develop a plan towards a solution. Should the client need help with accessing other services in order to move forward (shelter, medical, vocational or legal) Rachel can provide access to those services. Support group services and children's services are also available to provide additional encouragement and support in realizing that no victim is alone and that there is a path to a happier abuse-free life for the victim and her children.
Our domestic violence support groups help victims feel that they are not alone. Because relationship abuse leaves victims feeling isolated and full of self-doubt, support group are often a helpful antidote. In our groups, victims can find validation for their feelings as well as learn useful coping strategies from others who've survived the same ordeal. By sharing and supporting others, group participants discover the strengths within themselves that they need to get on with their lives in a healthier more self-reliant way. Day-time and evening groups; child-care provided.
CHILDREN'S SERVICES
Rachel Coalition has been providing individual counseling for the children of our adult victim clients since 2007. Starting in the Fall of 2009, we will be offering a special program, “Healing in the Broken Places”, a group program for children ages 5 to 12 with a conjointly running parenting group for their mothers. This group will allow children to express and explore their feelings about having been exposed to domestic violence within their home. By sharing with other children who have gone through the same problem, the group will reduce the shame and confusion that domestic violence has created for these children. The children will earn improved communication and conflict resolution skills. The mothers will meet in their own group to get support and information to assist them as single parents coping with the aftermath of domestic violence. The group will run for twelve weeks and will be offered on a week-day early evening.
For more information contact: rachel@jfsmetrowest.org
LEGAL SERVICES
Rachel Coalition provides legal advocacy to victims of domestic violence in Essex, Union, Hudson, and Morris counties. The Rachel Coalition attorney provides direct representation and/or gives advice and counsel to eligible clients in domestic violence matters in family court. Through a joint program with Partners for Women and Justice, The Rachel Coalition trains and mentors pro bono attorneys to also assist victims of domestic violence in final restraining order hearings. The Rachel Coalition Court Advocacy Program staffs a bilingual court advocate to work with victims in the domestic violence unit of Essex County Family Court. Our Court Volunteer Program also located in the domestic violence unit of the Essex Family Court provides the opportunity for volunteers trained through the Rachel Coalition to help victims navigate the court process as well as to assist victims with information, referrals, and supportive listening. Our legal committee coordinates with local and state-wide organizations to improve the laws and legal system for victims of domestic violence.
For more information please contact rachel@jfsmetrowest.org
RESPECT Men's Group
For men who have been identified as having a problem with abusiveness towards an intimate partner or to another family member. Both men who are Court-ordered and those who want to join voluntarily are welcome. This 26 session program focuses on helping men take responsibility for their choice of behaviors in relationships. The group is co-led by a male/female team of mental health clinicians with domestic violence expertise and meets once a week in the evening. There is a fee for the group. All meetings take place in a convenient Livingston location.
For more information, contact 973-765-9050 ext 1742
