Bayonne Council President and mayoral challenger Sharon Ashe-Nadrowski is seeking to allocate $25,000 from American Rescue Plan funds towards domestic violence education programs.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“We can’t only honor all the great things women do in our community and ignore all the hardships that women experience everyday. We have a responsibility to provide meaningful resources for those in our communities who are suffering from domestic violence and don’t know where to reach out for help,” she said in a statement.
“Educational programs bring resources to the residents of Bayonne and takes a step in the right direction to make Bayonne a safer community by creating partnerships with nonprofits who have experience working in our community and reaching out to our homes and families.”
On March 2nd, the city was shocked by the murder of 33-year old Mely Vanessa Tafoya Mendoza, where her husband, Peter Revelo, was charged with murder by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office.
Specifically, the resolution seeks to fund various non-profits whose mission is to educate or combat domestic violence.
Additionally, the proposal would not only focus on non-profits who work mainly with women but also seeks to bring community partners that have experience with communities of color and the LGBTQAI+ community as well.
“We must remember Mely Vanessa Tafoya Mendoza, and all of those whose lives have been lost to domestic violence year after year,” Ashe-Nadrowski added.
“Bayonne needs a leader who is committed to funding programs that will invest in our communities and keep our residents safe. We need to work with our community members to bring services we know will be life saving to our neighbors.”
Community advocate Camile High has already come out in favor of the local legislation.
“The work has to be in the legislation. Not in conversations, not in opinions, but in legislation. Here’s evidence of what the work looks like when it includes all of us,” she said.
The Bayonne City Council is set to meet on Wednesday, March 16th at 7 p.m.
