‘I feel protected with them.’ New Brunswick facility gives domestic violence survivors a home

An affordable housing facility in New Brunswick is giving 10 domestic violence survivors and their children a permanent home.

News 12 Staff

Nov 7, 2019, 10:16 PM

Updated 1,630 days ago

Share:

An affordable housing facility in New Brunswick is giving 10 domestic violence survivors and their children a permanent home.

Theoni Litakis tells News 12 New Jersey that she never thought she'd be where she is today, as a domestic violence survivor slowly recovering from years of verbal, emotional and physical abuse.

Litakis and her 8-year-old daughter have been living at Dina's Dwellings since it opened three years ago.

"I love this place very much," says Litakis. "And if wasn't for this place, who knows what would have happened."

Dina's Dwellings is located inside the First Reformed Church in New Brunswick.

The more than 200-year-old sanctuary building was reconfigured a few years ago into 10 apartments and a common space.

The program is run by a nonprofit called The Town Clock CDC and also offers on-site therapy and case work.  And all of its services are low or no cost for the residents.

"What we're seeing is it takes five to seven years to have them be in a place they feel they can do a job," says Executive Director Susan Kramer-Mills. "They've had some training, are no longer repeating the cycle of violence or going back to bad relationships.  And they feel confident about themselves."

The organization is hosting a gala Friday night to raise money for Town Clock and the services it provides residents.

For more information on Dina’s Dwellings, click here


More from News 12
2:42
Wildfire in Wharton State Forest consumes more than 300 acres of land

Wildfire in Wharton State Forest consumes more than 300 acres of land

2:06
Isolated storms tonight; freeze warning in effect for parts of NJ overnight

Isolated storms tonight; freeze warning in effect for parts of NJ overnight

0:49
Longtime US Rep. Donald Payne Jr. dies at 65 after suffering heart attack

Longtime US Rep. Donald Payne Jr. dies at 65 after suffering heart attack

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

2:56
Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend New Jersey woman's life

Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend New Jersey woman's life

2:23
'The tower is an eyesore.' Demolition of former Nabisco factory tower set to begin after 1-year delay

'The tower is an eyesore.' Demolition of former Nabisco factory tower set to begin after 1-year delay

1:03
Rep. Gottheimer announces another attempt to put an end to NYC’s congestion pricing plan

Rep. Gottheimer announces another attempt to put an end to NYC’s congestion pricing plan

0:29
Former Wawa gas attendant accused of stealing thousands of dollars from customers

Former Wawa gas attendant accused of stealing thousands of dollars from customers

1:33
AAA: New Jersey gas prices increase nearly 20 cents from last week

AAA: New Jersey gas prices increase nearly 20 cents from last week

2:12
Princeton University accused of violating civil rights of Jewish students

Princeton University accused of violating civil rights of Jewish students

0:37
Prosecutors: Former Jersey City police officer charged with sex assault, criminal restraint

Prosecutors: Former Jersey City police officer charged with sex assault, criminal restraint

0:27
Washington Township police issues warning over 'Water Wars' game

Washington Township police issues warning over 'Water Wars' game

0:34
Camden County man charged in crash that killed young mother

Camden County man charged in crash that killed young mother

2:18
Remnants of bird flu virus found in pasteurized milk, FDA says

Remnants of bird flu virus found in pasteurized milk, FDA says

0:32
US banning TikTok? Your key questions answered

US banning TikTok? Your key questions answered

0:35
Bon Jovi docuseries premieres Friday on Hulu

Bon Jovi docuseries premieres Friday on Hulu

0:31
New federal rule would bar 'noncompete' agreements for most employees

New federal rule would bar 'noncompete' agreements for most employees

1:02
Composting can save money, help gardens and save the planet. Here are 10 tips to get you started

Composting can save money, help gardens and save the planet. Here are 10 tips to get you started

1:38
What's Cooking: Uncle Giuseppe's Marketplace's Key Lime Pie

What's Cooking: Uncle Giuseppe's Marketplace's Key Lime Pie

0:31
Sources: Body recovered in Barnegat Bay believed to be missing Island Heights woman

Sources: Body recovered in Barnegat Bay believed to be missing Island Heights woman