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NEW PROVIDENCE HOUSE FACILITY WILL HELP VICTIMS OF ABUSE, ADDICTION
By Keith Hagarty
 | | --Photo By Keith Hagarty Providing counseling and a safe alternative for victims of domestic violence, abuse and addiction, Bishop John M. Smith of the Catholic Charities Diocese of Trenton joined officials from Providence House last week as they opened the doors to their new facility in Whiting. |
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Ocean County residents suffering with the pain of domestic violence, abuse and addiction now have a safe outlet for hope, as Providence House unveiled its new facility on Schoolhouse Road in Whiting.
A non-profit organization since 1979, Providence House strives to ensure the safety of those affected by abuse "one family at a time." They offer free and confidential programs and services, including facilitating temporary and permanent housing, individual and group counseling, education on domestic abuse, safety planning, advocacy and support in the courts and various information and referral services.
Central New Jersey has been in the need of such a facility for a long time, according to Bishop John M. Smith of the Catholic Charities Diocese of Trenton.
"I think it's wonderful that we
have this facility," said Smith. "Ocean County is one of the
most rapidly growing counties in the state of New Jersey, if not the United States, and it's been obvious to the Catholic Charities Board for a long time that there's a real need in this particular area, and this is a wonderful location."
Providing a safe refuge and counseling services for victims of domestic violence, abuse and addiction in a comforting setting are the building blocks of Providence House's foundation.
Walking into the building, the welcoming, soothing décor is more akin to what you'd expect to find in the lobby of a day spa. Generating a warm, relaxed environment is precisely what Providence House was aiming for.
"There's been a real effort to make this a very attractive place, so that when people come here it could hopefully lift their spirits and they can look forward to coming," said Smith.
The ample amount of parking and quiet neighborhood setting further promotes a sense of tranquility, safety and trust, according to Smith.
"It can be a very uplifting atmosphere for folks," he said. "When you've been a victim of abuse, whether it's physically, emotionally or through addiction, you could always use a little bit of a pickme up."
The motivation for bringing Providence House to Whiting was to provide a more centralized location for area residents in need, particularly those in southern Ocean County who felt the trip to the former site in Brick was just too far a trek, said Francis E. Dolan, executive director of Catholic Charities Diocese of Trenton.
"We were in Brick, in rented space there, so we know that location wasn't ideal, plus the cost of rent just kept escalating," said Dolan. "It was very difficult to handle the costs of rent."
Having the opportunity to own the property for the new facility in Whiting proved to be a major catalyst for the move.
"Here we have a better location and much more manageable costs in the long run," he said.
The new Whiting location will serve as the main hub of Providence House with additional satellite offices throughout the region already being planned.
"Ocean County is the second-largest geographic location New Jersey, so we have a lot of territory to cover," said Mary Pettrow, associate director of the facility.
With the senior population growing each year in the county, providing easily accessible services will be a major benefit to the community.
"Moving it closer is certainly a benefit to them," said Pettrow.
Perhaps the only stumbling block to getting seniors in need to their facility is just tearing down the generational gap, according to Dolan.
"What we've found is people of the older generations are generally more reluctant to go seek services for help, most likely because of the cultural, generational divide," said Dolan.
There's seen a significant shift in the collective perception associated with facilities like Providence House, according to Pettrow, who has seen firsthand how their services can provide lasting benefits to those in need, and their families.
"I think earlier when there were battered women's movements going, people didn't want you in there community because they were afraid of the stigma of family violence and those type of things," she said. "It's really heartening for me to see people welcome us, and see us as an asset, and someone who's going to help the community."
"There's been tremendous community support," said Pettrow. "From the support of our freeholders, from our police departments and mayors- it's been a very warm welcome."
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