In the 1990s, JBWS recognized the need for more comprehensive housing services for people victimized by abuse. While JBWS’ Emergency Safe House Shelter had already been renovated to accommodate more survivors, it was not enough to meet the need for residential services. To address this need, JBWS conceptualized an innovative plan – the construction of a Transitional Living Resource Center. This would allow JBWS to expand our housing services beyond the traditional two- three month stay for emergency shelter.
“Too often, the [victim] ends up returning to their [abusive partner] because they can’t find affordable, adequate housing or lacks long-term financial and emotional support,” said the late Carol G. Simon, a former member of JBWS’ board of directors who donated a one-million-dollar endowment toward the project. “I wanted to close this gap and transitional housing services give people more time and counseling to put their lives back in order.”
On June 8, 1998, JBWS officially broke ground on the Carol G. Simon House: A Transitional Living Resource Center (Simon House). Located on more than two acres of land in Morris County, Simon House is a 28,000 square foot facility comprised of 11 fully furnished apartments that range in size from one to three bedrooms where people victimized by abuse can live for up to two years. It also features a state-of-the-art wellness room, children’s recreational room, laundry facilities, an industrial kitchen, playground, private meeting rooms, and so much more.
However, what helps people victimized by abuse move toward self-sufficiency and lasting safety is the comprehensive, supportive services offered within Simon House. People victimized by abuse receive counseling, case management, vocational training, like skills development, financial literacy workshops, parental education classes, and more to help move beyond abuse.
Thank You to the Simon Foundation
The Simon Foundation played a crucial role in the development of Simon House. In the mid 1990s, Carol G. Simon gave the $1,000,000 endowment to kick off the campaign for the creation of Simon House and fund our transitional living program. Since then, the William E. Simon Foundation has been providing annual support for our transitional living program. While their foundation sunsetted in 2023, their last gifts continue to fill the gap between emergency shelter and self-sufficiency for survivors living in the community.
