Monmouth County Group Set To Help More Women Start New Lives

To escape from domestic violence, its victims need a safe place to go -- a place they cannot be found, where they can start to rebuild their lives.

The Monmouth County organization 180 Turning Lives Around has been assisting families for nearly 40 years, providing long-term support as they move out of a violent situation, including providing a safe place to go.

Now, the group will be able to help even more families, after ground was broken symbolically on Tuesday for a new 45-bed shelter and safe house, according to the Asbury Park Press. The ceremony was held at the property of New Jersey Natural Gas, a key supporter of 180 Turning Lives Around, but the location of the home was kept private to protect those who seek its shelter.

The event included an address by Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno; Anna Diaz-White, the executive director of 180 Turning Lives Around, and other local politicians attended.

The new shelter, which will replace the current 25-bed facility, is expected to open in 2016, according to the Asbury Park Press, and the group is 80 percent of its way to its $7.65 million fundraising goal for the facility. Read more about the ceremony here.