News

"Click here for the STEPS Newsletter Winter 2008."

The Paterson Scandal and Domestic Violence

March 4, 2010

New York Times:

To the Editor:

Re "Paterson Is Said to Have Directed Calls to Accuser" (front page, March 2):

In the midst of the implosion of a political career, and the endless analysis of the political jockeying, we must not lose sight of Gov. David A. Paterson's impact on all victims of domestic violence in New York State.

In his proposed budget, released just a month ago, the governor zeroed out $3 million of dedicated domestic violence services financing – $1.25 million of which is used in New York City to provide critical services to domestic violence victims. These services are lifelines to thousands of victims of domestic violence in New York City.

With this financing, New York City providers deliver social services to more than 3,200 victims and legal services to more than 1,000 a month, and annually answer more than 65,000 hot-line calls. Cutting these modest funds ultimately results in higher state costs in other areas, including increased emergency room visits, public assistance and shelter costs.

Shelter alone averages $27,000 a year per family. Preventing shelter placement of just 46 families in New York City will save the $1.25 million in one year alone.

Governor Paterson must take responsibility for assuring the safety of all victims of domestic violence throughout New York State by restoring these funds to the budget.

Madeline Garcia Bigelow Lucia Rivieccio New York, March 2, 2010

The writers are the co-chairwomen of the New York City Coalition of Nonresidential Domestic Violence Service Providers, a coalition of 13 organizations that receive the above-mentioned financing to provide services to victims of domestic violence.

Jenifer Anzalone RAPP Testimony Before City Hall

Good Afternoon.

My name is Jenifer and I am a NYS licensed Social Worker who has proudly worked for over 4 years with the Teen Relationship Abuse Prevention Program at STEPS to End Family Violence. As a school-based RAPP Coordinator, I have seen hundreds of teens come to the RAPP office seeking support in times of pain. I have witnessed them find comfort in having a safe place where their stories are heard, their feelings understood, and their personal dignity restored. I have seen them transform from hopeless to hopeful. RAPP gives voices to teens who have been affected by domestic violence. These are their words.

A young girl, desperate for someone to recognize her despair and show her a way out, wrote this poem, "I used to sit in a room, shut up by myself. And not even all the tears I cry can drown out all the pain of life. I changed from a lonely room to a very sharp blade and soon it was a perfect ending to imperfect days. Cutting away the pain is what I thought helped the best but trust me when I say it was worse than all the rest. I thought it'd be the death of me, but I thought wrong. RAPP helped me move my life along. On the right path now, I owe it all to the wonderful work you do. And in my mind you'll always be, so in the future if I stray, on the right path you'll help me stay."

One in three teens is abused in a relationship and taking away RAPP is to take away the countless voices of these survivors. The youth of our city are resilient, but the number who continue to be affected by abuse is alarming. It is vital that NYC work towards ending the cycle of domestic violence and it must start with our youth. RAPP is the largest primary prevention program in the country. For our teens, having a safe place to speak and get resources is priceless. While we recognize the challenging economic climate, today's $3 million program funding is a small investment to make in the future safety of our youth and our NYC communities.

RAPP saves lives and I urge you to consider all of the youth who desperately need our help so that they may lead healthy and safe lives.

Thank you.

New Hope Preventive Program Relocated to Bedford Stuyvesand Office

On Thursday, July 16, 2009, the Edwin Gould Services for Children and Families (EGSCF) New Hope Preventive Program (NHP) Unit relocated from the main office site at 40 Rector Street to its new home at 20 New York Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. Situated in the heart of Bedford Stuyvesant and conveniently located within blocks of most major NYC bus and subway lines and the Long Island Railroad (LIRR), this newly renovated EGSCF service site is located in a commercial space that is barrier-free and handicapped accessible to meet the special needs of the physically challenged.

Clients entering the new 2,211 square feet space will find that the reception area is conveniently adjoined to the waiting room and children's playroom. Child care is available to parents during office visits and/or during parenting groups. Staff members occupy 6 administrative offices and there is one multi-purpose conference room that can accommodate general meetings, parenting groups and family team conferences. As a result, the New Hope Preventive Program is better positioned to provide community-based services to clients and families of Bedford-Stuyvesant (CD3), Bushwick (CD4), North Crown Heights (CD8), and South Crown Heights (CD9) that are seeking a safe haven where they can address their concerns.

Edwin Gould Services for Children and Families Relocates to a New Space

On September 10, 2009, Edwin Gould Services for Children and Families relocated its Executive Office and service programs to 151 Lawrence Street, Downtown Brooklyn. The new 33,000 square feet space allows for future expansion and provides an environment for us to make available, the resources and quality support necessary to enhance family life and development of all of our children, adolescents, families and consumers.

Approximately 25% of the space is dedicated to our family-focused philosophy of service, creating a welcoming and reassuring atmosphere to our clients. Four Family Team conference rooms for critical decision making and service planning meetings with children, parents, foster parents, caseworkers NYC Children's Services representative and other interested parties; two children's playrooms and a flexible multi-purpose room which can be converted into three individual rooms and be used for a wide range of programming including parenting classes, care giver training programs, additional family team conferencing, life skills workshops for teens aging out of foster care and training for the agency's staff demonstrate our commitment to continuously improve our service delivery and ensure the safety, permanency and well-being of our clients.

Easily accessible by public transportation with 11 subway lines and several bus lines as well as reasonably priced parking garages, the new location is convenient for nearly 50% of our clients who reside in Brooklyn.

We invite you to come and visit us.

Edwin Gould - Number 1 in New York.

Edwin Gould Services for Children and Families was ranked number 1 in New York. Click here to see the 2004 EQUIP Scores and Ratings for ACS Foster Boarding Home Programs.

Agency of the Month - New York Nonprofit Press

Edwin Gould Services for Children and Families was featured in the October 2005 issue of New York Nonprofit Press. Click here to read the full article on pages 12-13. (The pdf file is large, and may take a few moments to open. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to open the file. It can be downloaded for free from Adobe.)

TRANSITION OF SISTER MARY NERNEY, DIRECTOR OF THE STEPS TO END FAMILY VIOLENCE PROGRAM

On June 22, 2007, Sister Mary Nerney, STEPS to End Violence Program Founder and Director, retired from Edwin Gould Services for Children and Families (EGSCF). A former educator and psychologist, Sr. Nerney contributed to the health, safety and well-being of women, children and families in New York City and State and at the national level for over twenty-two years. She is recognized and revered for pioneering domestic violence and criminal justice services for battered women defendants in the courts and prison system as well as during their transition after release.

The STEPS to End Violence Program began as a consequence of a landmark hearing in 1985 at the Bedford Hills, New York Correctional Center, in which twelve women prisoners testified about the abuse they suffered, which led to their arrest and imprisonment. Sr. Nerney attended those hearings and resolved to take action on behalf of abused women and children and to change the conditions of their lives before and after they are forced to enter the criminal justice system.

In 1986, with the sponsorship of EGSCF, Sr. Nerney commenced her services with the Agency to establish, organize and implement a center for services, education and prevention of family violence. At that time, the program served approximately 250 women and 75 children. Under Sr. Mary's leadership the program has expanded and currently works with over 400 women, 2,000 adolescents and 75 children in the New York City Metro area. Under Sr. Nerney's helm the STEPS Program, that began as a small and innovative response to domestic violence, has grown and now consists of a the following comprehensive and holistic host of services and programs to support families:

• Alternatives to Incarceration Program (ATI)
• Children's Therapy Program
• Relationship Abuse Prevention Program (RAPP)
• Teen Accountability Program (TAP)
• Stepping Stones to Success
• Taking STEPS Against Domestic Violence & Substance Abuse
• Families in Transition
• Youth Changing Abusive Patterns (Youth CAP).

Through the establishment of these many comprehensive services, Sister Nerney distinguished herself as a leader in the formation of collaboration and coalitions across New York State, including the New York State Coalition to End Domestic Violence, the New York City Coalition of Battered Women's Advocates, and the East Harlem Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Over the years Sister Mary received many awards, accolades and honors for her contributions to breaking the cycle of family violence in the community. To further thank and express our sincerest appreciation to Sister Nerney for her many years of service on Monday, March 3, 2008 a recognition event will be held in her honor.