180 Turning Lives Around board members and community partner honorees at the organi- zation’s All That Glitters Is Gold 2026 Gala. The April gala raised $500,000 for survivors of domestic violence. FILE PHOTO/EMILY SCHOPFER
By Emily Schopfer
MONMOUTH COUNTY – 180 Turning Lives Around launched its 50 Events for 50 Years campaign this summer, and the organization’s milestone anniversary feels even more impactful in October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
In 1976, the nonprofit organization launched in Monmouth County as The Women’s Center to help survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. What started as an organization founded by a handful of local women has now grown over five decades into one of the community’s leading domestic violence agencies, with its current name adopted in 2002.
In the 50 years since its inception, the organization has become more multifaceted in its services, according to Sophiana Avedis, 180’s director of Special Events.
“Life is more complicated (now),” Avedis said, but 180 has “risen to meet evolving needs.”
The organization established the first Rape Hotline in the county in 1976 and debuted its 2NDFLOOR Youth Helpline in 2006. 180 also launched a mobile app for 2NDFLOOR in 2024. While Avedis does not work directly with this program, she said 2ND-FLOOR is “really reflective of 180 as a whole.” By continuing to adapt through additions like the mobile app, this helpline shows how “innovative” the organization is in meeting survivors’ needs, Avedis said.
While the 2NDFLOOR helpline is a major accomplishment for 180, Avedis also highlighted the organization’s achievement as the first federally funded women’s shelter in the country. The organization still helps survivors find emergency shelter or transitional housing to this day.
180 also spearheaded the first pet-friendly domestic violence shelter in the state in 2019, named “Anna’s House.” While such a thing “could be daunting,” Avedis said, pets are often such important companions and sources of comfort for these survivors, and 180 knew something needed to be done to keep them together.
The accomplishment that stands out to Avedis the most, however, is “that big number of 1.5 million survivors served.”
LIGHTING THE WAY FORWARD
To celebrate the past 50 years, 180 Turning Lives Around inaugurated its year-long 50th anniversary festivities with its “All That Glitters Is Gold 2026 Gala” in April. Avedis explained that the April gala was the start of the 50th Anniversary Campaign, dubbed Lighting the Way Forward. This campaign runs in tandem with the 50 Events for 50 Years.
Of the 50 planned events, which will conclude in October 2027, Avedis said one she is especially looking forward to is the 2026 annual Amanda’s Easel art exhibit. This year, the survivor-led art show is themed “Branching Out.” Avedis said the focus on trees is symbolic of the resilience and strength survivors have to weather the storms they face. An opening reception takes place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, at JBJ Soul Kitchen in Red Bank. After Oct. 1, the exhibit will travel for the next year to various locations in and around Monmouth County.
Art, drama and music therapy are just some additional services 180 offers.
Although 180 Turning Lives Around is headquartered in Hazlet, many events expand into neighboring towns such as Red Bank. “We have a strong presence throughout Monmouth County,” Avedis said, and the 50 events should “capture all of Monmouth County, because we serve all of Monmouth County.” Additionally, by branching into neighboring towns and collaborating with local businesses and organizations, 180 hopes to show appreciation to everyone who has supported it throughout the organization’s first 50 years, Avedis said.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Yoga lovers can enjoy a fall morning in Marine Park along Red Bank’s riverfront Sunday, Oct. 4, for the Jer- sey Shore Yoga Festival. The festival will run from 7:30 a.m. to noon, and a portion of ticket sales will be donated to 180 Turning Lives Around.
Sunday, Oct. 4, is also Middletown Day at Croydon Hall. The community-focused event will feature a food court, first responder touch-a-trucks, live music, games, arts and crafts vendors and more. The event will honor 180 Turning Lives Around as the beneficiary of the 50/50 raffle. The festival will kick off at 1 p.m., and The Cliffs will perform live from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Houlihan’s Restaurant & Bar in Holmdel will donate a portion of sales to 180 Turning Lives Around for the Plate it Forward campaign. From 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, 15% to 20% of all food proceeds will go toward 180 Turning Lives Around when the campaign is mentioned.
180 Turning Lives Around is also the beneficiary of the Middletown Mayor’s 5K at Poricy Park, taking place from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24.
For a full list of 180 Turning Lives Around 50 Events for 50 Years, visit 180nj.org.
This article originally appeared in the October 1-7, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
