Community Corner

Women Aware Recognizes East Brunswick Woman for Decades of Service

Marian Haas of East Brunswick received a Lifetime Achievement Award at Women Aware's "Night of Celebration" on Wednesday.

When Marian Haas joined the board of New Brunswick's Women Aware, she sought to make a "more meaningful contribution to the community," she said.

30 years later, her contributions have earned her a Lifetime Achievement Aware from the Middlesex County agency.

Haas has served on the Women Aware Board of Directors since 1984. One of the original board members for the domestic violence intervention and support agency, Haas works as vice president of human resources policy and practice for the Visiting Nurses Association of New York, according to information provided by Women Aware.

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On Wednesday night, the organization provided her with one of two Lifetime Achievement Awards at its first ever volunteer recognition reception, held at the Piscataway Senior Center.

Women Aware organized the event for the first time specifically to honor the more than 200 volunteers who work with Women Aware to aid women and children affected by domestic violence and in need of shelter, assistance and legal counseling.

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Wednesday's event was the first community event to be held in the newly renovated senior center, said Piscataway mayor Brian Wahler.

Haas, of East Brunswick and New Brunswick resident Ella Mae Mitchell were each awarded Lifetime Achievement Awards.

New Brunswick resident Linda Hrycenko was recognized as Women Aware's 2012 Volunteer of the Year.

Hrycenko said that she believes all volunteers in the room should be given awards for their service.

The enthusiasm, energy and genuine care and concern displayed by the staff at Women Aware is what keeps her coming back as a regular volunteer, she said.

Mitchell, who originally came to Women Aware seeking shelter, has risen up throughout the organization, serving as an advocate, a member of the Board of Directors, and a public speaker.

"Jesus has brought me a mighty long way," Mitchell said, while accepting her award. "It has been a long time coming."

"Today I can say a change has come," she said.

Patricia Teffenhart, Assistant Executive Director for Women Aware, said that in 2012, the organization provided emergency shelter for 249 women and children.

Legal advice and counseling was provided to 1,209 women in the same year, and more than 6,000 calls were fielded by an army of volunteers through the Women Aware hotline, she said.

"Together we really are changing lives," she said.

To further aid in with those calls for help, approximately 20 new volunteers were recognized at the reception, freshly graduated from Women Aware's 40-hour volunteer training program.

Working with Women Aware "Means so much to me," said Haas.

"Serving as a leader is really the best job possible," she said.

Women Aware's mission statement contains the goal "To end domestic violence in the lives of women, children and men" Haas said.

It's a bold statement, she said, and one that will take a lot of work to fulfill.

But hopefully, "we can make it happen in our lifetime," she said.

For more information on Women Aware, visit www.womenaware.net.


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