The death of a New Jersey woman is highlighting the importance of stopping domestic violence and the nonprofits that try to help.
Authorities found the
body of 32-year-old Norelis Mendoza near the Jersey City-Bayonne border. Mendoza grew up in Jersey City. Gregory Mallard, the father of her two children, has been charged with first-degree murder and other related offenses in connection to her death.
"It's just wrong you know. There are two young girls who are orphaned as a result of this latest tragedy and we need people to really just do whatever they can to stop the cycle of violence that seems to be just getting worse, more frequent," says Susanne Byrne, executive director of York Street Project.
The Jersey City nonprofit York Street Project provides housing, education and childcare for people in need.
"We need to be able to provide resources and opportunities for women to be able to get away from those relationships," says Byrne.
York Street Project can house up to 25 families on site. It can also provide low-income housing for more than 40 women and rental assistance for 40 apartments in the community.
Byrne says as a society we need to figure out and do everything we can to stop these types of tragedies.