Guest Column

Giving thanks and enjoying time with family are the hallmarks of the winter holidays.

During Thanksgiving, Hanuk-kah, Christmas and Kwanzaa, American families prepare for all the loving rituals associated with giving thanks for healthy, loving families. In this world where terrorism, war and violence exist, we are thankful to have homes that are peaceful sanctuaries.

The cornerstone of healthy families is built upon the concept of respect. In healthy families, the rights of others are respected, whether children, siblings or parents.

Healthy families hold conversations about all aspects of life around the dinner table, television and when expressing how much they value each other. For many of us, no matter how much we may disagree, disagreement is not expressed through physical or psychological abuse and violence.

Sadly for some of our neighbors, their home is a dangerous and frightening place. Women should never have to flee their homes because of fear for their lives and safety for the lives of their children. Yet, every day brave families seek refuge at 180’s emergency shelter and are thankful for a safe, peaceful home. Imagine the uncertainty these families confront with the beginning of a new life. The 180 refuge is a place where these families can escape violence, ridicule, humiliation and abuse.

In fiscal year 2002, more than 14,000 women, children and men received outreach and crisis intervention services from 180, Turning Lives Around.

Our nonprofit agency helps Monmouth County residents heal traumas from domestic violence and sexual assault by providing a spectrum of diverse services, several of which have secured national awards.

For women who have been shattered by the crime of rape and for families that have lived in fear for so long, coming to 180 helps transform their violent histories into past memories.

By helping residents turn their lives around, 180 provides the stable support for victims to become survivors, and survivors in turn to become "thrivers," and they have the courage to begin life anew.

Every woman, child or man who has been victimized by domestic violence or sexual assault can dial our toll-free hotlines, 1-888-843-9262 (domestic violence) or 1-888-264-RAPE (sexual assault) to get crisis intervention help. You can help others by sharing our toll-free hotline numbers with colleagues and friends. Our trained professionals are waiting to assist them, listen, and refer them to the right person for counseling.

So, as you sit to break bread with family and friends this holiday season, be thankful for all the gifts you have — the gifts of love, freedom, and safety. Remember to tell the people around you that you love them, and remember also you can make a difference to those families who are hurting.

On behalf of 180, I thank you for your compassionate caring and support as we work together to help Monmouth County families turn their lives around.

Anna M. Diaz-White is executive director of 180, Turning Lives Around