Our Impact
Josephine’s Place continues to grow by word-of-mouth and because of the support of the City of Elizabeth, the county of Union, local agencies, the Elizabeth schools, and surrounding areas. In 2022 alone, over 200 new women came through our doors.
Women are respected and encouraged here. The women feel Josephine’s Place is like a second home — one in which they can express themselves and acquire skills to be better equipped to meet the challenges of daily life. Here women:
- Receive job training and as a result, learned to write their resumés, received certificates in homecare, and have been promoted at work because of their improved English skills.
- Find their voice. Too many of the women have been subjected to domestic violence. Here, they have built up confidence to seek their rights and move away from those situations.
- Learn to speak English. Women wanted to communicate with their children’s teachers in English and have learned to do so here. They have also put their English skills to work by becoming active in the community on several Elizabeth committees.
- Obtain their U.S. citizenship. In 2022, for instance, six women became new U.S. citizens and seven more were granted their permanent residency.
- Become entrepreneurs. Women have learned about starting and running a business and become entrepreneurs to earn extra income for their families.
- Receive support on critical issues. We work with experts and other nonprofits to offer learning sessions on big topics such as knowing your legal rights, when to get cancer screenings, and how to look for contraindications in medicine. The women have also participated in support groups for parenting a child with autism, and more.
Meet the Women
Julia Gonzalez
Julia Gonzalez has been part of Josephine’s Place since 2024. She came to the U.S. from Ecuador, carrying the weight of family responsibilities and the challenges of her daughter’s medical needs. At Josephine’s Place, Julia found support, comfort, and community that helped her navigate life’s hardships with courage and resilience.
Maria De Los Santos
Maria Jacqueline de los Santos has been part of Josephine’s Place since 2023. She came to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic after 15 years navigating the immigration process. Through Josephine’s Place, she improved her English, prepared for citizenship, and built the confidence to pursue her career in healthcare.