Program of Work
Schools for Africa has been replaced by GIRLS, a new UNICEF Program. Check out their website >
Strengthen Our Sisters
Strengthen Our Sisters is a shelter and supportive service program for homeless, battered women and their dependent children. The program has been guided by Sandra Ramos since its inception in 1970 when Sandra founded the first shelter for battered women in North America. Read More
A place where women and children can rebuild their lives.Strengthen Our Sisters has been committed to its mission for over 40 years. We are the largest shelter organization dedicated to serving the most under-served and vulnerable population in northern New Jersey. We are on a mission to enable women and their children to transition from a life of homelessness, domestic violence and poverty to one of stability and self-sufficiency.
Serving hundreds of women and children each year.
Our programs and services include emergency and short-term shelter, longer-term housing, comprehensive housing solutions, and other integrated services. We rely on a team of dedicated volunteers to help provide supportive, compassionate service. Explore ways to help >
A place where women and children can rebuild their lives.Strengthen Our Sisters has been committed to its mission for over 40 years. We are the largest shelter organization dedicated to serving the most under-served and vulnerable population in northern New Jersey. We are on a mission to enable women and their children to transition from a life of homelessness, domestic violence and poverty to one of stability and self-sufficiency.
Serving hundreds of women and children each year.
Our programs and services include emergency and short-term shelter, longer-term housing, comprehensive housing solutions, and other integrated services. We rely on a team of dedicated volunteers to help provide supportive, compassionate service. Explore ways to help >
Online donations are now available. Make a secure, online donation to Strengthen Our Sisters using the PayPal link
The Red Hawk Pantry: Taking care of our students through the Red Hawk Pantry
To combat the reality and struggle of food insecurity for our students, Student Development and Campus Life has established the Red Hawk Pantry. On April 18, 2016, the on-campus food pantry opened for the first time and continues to serve the needs of students. To assess these needs, a survey was sent to all students prior to the opening of the pantry. Of the nearly 200 Montclair State students surveyed, 10% expressed food insecurity on a daily basis, while 15% expressed a need on weekly basis and 12% on a monthly basis. You can donate online now and have Amazon send items directly to them! Find out more
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You can make a monetary gift online. Please select “Red Hawk Pantry” on the donation form.
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You also can choose from theAmazon Wish List. Once you have chosen items be sure to request they be delivered to the following address:
The Red Hawk Pantry C/O Sonja Tillman Montclair State University 1 Normal Ave Blanton Hall, Room 1200 Montclair NJ 07043 |
Girls Love Mail: The Gift of Hand-Written Letters to Women Newly Diagnosed with Breast Cancer
A hand-written letter has the special power to heal. Girls Love Mail collects your hand-written letters of encouragement, bundles them, and sends them, via the caring staff at cancer centers and programs, to women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Every letter is a gift from you to a woman going through a difficult time. Go to the website and fine out more...
Writing letters for Girls Love Mail is different than writing to a loved one or friend. Why? Because the letters go out through hospital cancer centers and we don’t know much about each letter recipient. To ensure your letter(s) is the most beneficial, please follow these Letter Writing Tips and Guidelines.
Letter Writing Guidelines – (Quality over Quantity!)
Writing letters for Girls Love Mail is different than writing to a loved one or friend. Why? Because the letters go out through hospital cancer centers and we don’t know much about each letter recipient. To ensure your letter(s) is the most beneficial, please follow these Letter Writing Tips and Guidelines.
Letter Writing Guidelines – (Quality over Quantity!)
- Hand-Write your LetterYour letter must be hand-written. We ask for at least 4 personal lines of hand-written text. Just your favorite quote or “You Got This” is NOT enough.You’re doing more than writing a letter, you’re sending a hand-made gift. The time and care you take really comes through! (See FAQs if you can’t hand-write.)
- Avoid Death, Bad Language, and Religious ConvictionsWe help recipients regardless of race, religion, age, type of treatment, or cancer stage. For this reason, we are unable to hand out letters that are not universally appropriate.
DEATH: It’s difficult for someone newly diagnosed to hear about others who have died from cancer or other diseases. Mention your loved one without sharing the outcome. For example, “My grandmother fought breast cancer and she liked to wear a different wig every day.”
LANGUAGE: As a 501(c)3 who works with public hospitals, we keep it extra clean. Along with banning the really bad words (you know the ones), the following are also banned:
– Hell (ex: Breast Cancer is hell.)
– Cancer Sucks
– Kick Cancer’s Butt
– Dirty or off-color jokes
– Quotes with banned words and phrases that include “badass” and the like.
RELIGION: Refrain from religious references and other non-inclusive wording such as; quoting scriptures, telling how/who to worship, “God Bless You,” or other religious overtures. This also applies to pre-printed cards. We do allow “I’m praying for you” once in your letter. - Greeting, Signature, and DateStart your letter with “Dear Friend” or “Dear Sister.” Sign your first name and last initial (Gina M.). For children, please include the age or grade level on the letter. Do NOT date your letters. Do NOT reference holidays. NO Valentine’s Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. It takes 6-8 weeks before your letter is handed to a recipient.