A PARTNERSHIP FOR CHANGE INC

Our goal is to end intimate partner abuse through the provision of innovative education, prevention and awareness programs.

National and local data tells us that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 3 teenage girls are victims of domestic violence or dating abuse. So, we know that police, human service professionals, educators, healthcare workers, clergy, business leaders and community members come into contact with victims every day. Many of these first responders or family members tell us that they don't know how to help and are also unaware of the risks to victims and helpers alike.

A Partnership for Change provides critical information through comprehensive outreach and education programs that go beyond tiresome lectures - we provide dynamic, interactive classes that give practical tools and methods for safe intervention and support. We also provide immediate crisis intervention to any victim who comes forward for support.

We know that domestic violence affects every segment of the population and we know that it is the root cause and connected to many problems in our society including child abuse, children's developmental issues, workplace violence, substance abuse, gangs/street violence, bullying, homelessness, injury to police, and incarceration levels. Our strategy is to reach out to community organizations, victim-service providers, businesses, faith-based organizations, schools, hospitals, daycare centers, and the law enforcement community to let them know about the programs we can offer that will help them to recognize, respond and refer victims. Our programs are easily tailored to meet the needs of any group and each initiative provides clear goals and action steps that empower participants to play a role and get involved.

APFC co-founders, Gloria Sgrizzi and Allison Bressler, have more than 30 years combined experience in working with victims of abuse throughout the New York and New Jersey area. Before forming the organization, they conducted hundreds of presentations, workshops and seminars on intimate partner violence for their former employers to audiences comprised of law enforcement personnel, corporate leaders, clergy, students, teachers, community members, parents, civic leaders, attorneys, medical personnel, and college and university faculty. Ms. Bressler also serves as an expert witness on domestic violence cases and the agency is well-regarded by its peers.

Accomplishments:

We launched PowerBack and PREP in 2009; DATA in 2013; and DV-SOS in 2019 - and have secured funding for all programs each year. In all of our initiatives, we have met or exceeded all quantitative and qualitative performance measures.

We've also successfully operated our IPVA (fee-for-service) training program since 2009; proceeds from this program help to cover the agency's operating costs (liability insurance, worker's comp insurance, website, utilities, audit costs, etc.), which are not otherwise covered by grant funding.

Recently, APFC co-founder, Allison Bressler, has been called upon to provide expert witness reports on domestic violence cases in our state. We've made lasting partnerships throughout the state in order to provide a wider safety net for victims. These partnerships have resulted in APFC being invited to present keynote addresses at the annual conferences for NJ Juvenile Officers Association; the Cape May, Cumberland County, and Somerset County Prosecutor's Offices; the Student Assistant Counselors Association; the NJ School Social Workers Association; Prevent Child Abuse NJ; and the Bergen County Bar Association, among others.

APFC has been invited to host on-site workshops for the Burlington County Department of Health & Human Services, Robins Nest Community Services, Montclair State University, Kean University, Bloomfield College, Eagleville Hospital, Twin Oaks Community Services, Strong Tower Resource Center, Catholic Charities, and high schools throughout the state.

APFC's goal to expand programs and expand its board of directors - something we hope to accomplish in the coming year. We need help with fundraising and with growing the agency so that we can keep up with the demand for services.