In First, City Funding Secured for Shalom Task Force

This year’s budget for the first time contained city funding for an Orthodox organization to carry out the Domestic Violence Empowerment Initiative, Councilman David Greenfield announced.

With this funding, a qualified social service organization in each New York City district is to receive $20,000 to provide DoVE services to local residents in communities they serve.

Greenfield has allocated the funding for his district, which encompasses Boro Park, Midwood and parts of Bensonhurst, to Shalom Task Force, which has assisted victims of domestic violence in the frum community since 1992. Shalom Task Force will use this funding to support its confidential domestic abuse hotline. Thousands of calls come in to the hotline each year, primarily from Orthodox Jews in New York City.

In addition, Shalom Task Force offers violence prevention education to young men and women in yeshivah high schools and seminaries, and offers legal aid to victims of domestic abuse. Its marriage program provides relationship education for engaged couples and young marrieds, teaching the skills needed to develop and sustain a harmonious relationship.

“Thanks so very much to Councilman Greenfield for providing Shalom Task Force with the opportunity to continue to service our community in a most uncomfortable area, domestic abuse. Councilman Greenfield’s efforts and warm support on behalf of Shalom Task Force is a clear indication of his interest and deep concern for the well-being of the Jewish families in the community,” said Shalom Task Force Founder and President Nechama Wolfson.

This article appeared in print on page 17 of the August 21st, 2013 edition of Hamodia.