Womanspace, Inc., a local nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing abuse, protecting families and transforming victims into survivors, celebrated the start of the next chapter in its nearly 50-year existence at Trenton Country Club on Nov. 13 by revealing its new identity.
The invite-only event was intended to bring together staff, board members, community leaders, advocates, victim-survivors and supporters to celebrate the organization’s history and introduce its latest evolution to better meet the needs of today’s victim-survivors.
After more than a year of research, focus groups, interviews and meetings held between the organization and marketing firm Imbue Creative, a new name was created: Younity. The organization’s new tagline is: Together we are stronger than abuse.
Board chair Meaghan Cannon said: “As the daughter of one of Womanspace’s founding members, I am deeply honored to continue my mother’s legacy of compassion, empowerment and resilience. Today, as we evolve into Younity, I am immensely proud to support this transformation. We are staying true to the mission that was so dear to her heart while embracing a new vision for unity and healing that will strengthen our community for generations to come.”
The new brand was unveiled by Nathalie S. Nelson, CEO and president of Younity. During a speech, Nelson honored those who laid the foundation upon which the organization has continued to evolve, including the five women who founded Womanspace: Barbara Boggs Sigmund, Deborah Metzger, Ellen Belknap, Mary Ann Cannon and Valorie Caffee.
Nelson also recognized staff members who have been with the organization for anywhere between 10 and 40 years.
“The rebranding of Womanspace is a pivotal moment for us, a chance to expand our legacy and connect with a new generation of survivors and supporters,” Nelson said. “We honor the foundation built by our history while stepping into a future that better reflects the strength, diversity and resilience of those we serve. This transformation not only celebrates where we’ve been but also where we’re going as we continue to foster hope and healing for those who need it most.”
Board member Stephen Sigmund said: “My mom started Womanspace almost 50 years ago so women and families had a new path to safety from domestic violence that didn’t exist anywhere else in Mercer County. As Womanspace has expanded over the decades to provide that same new path to more and more survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault from all genders and walks of life, it’s time for a new name that matches that evolution.
“Younity represents our expanded mission, bringing people together, survivors and providers alike, to provide new opportunity and new hope.”
Since its founding, Womanspace has provided critical services for thousands of individuals affected by domestic violence and sexual abuse in the Mercer County region. Now, the organization celebrates its own transformation with a new name and brand that reflects the evolving landscape.
The organization says that name Younity was chosen to underscore the organization’s commitment to providing each person affected by abuse regardless of their age, race, gender or orientation with an entire community of people and services they need to stand up to abuse by literally bringing together the words “you” and “community” with a tagline that ties it all together.
The new brand is designed to reach a more inclusive audience, deepen the organization’s impact and empower everyone affected by abuse—ensuring they have what they need to not only survive, but thrive.
“This transformation not only celebrates where we’ve been but also where we’re going as we continue to foster hope and healing for those who need it most,” Nelson said.
The Younity rollout includes a new website—www.younitynj.org. Younity remains based at 1530 Brunswick Ave. in Lawrence.
Mercer County Executive Dan Benson, NJ Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, Younity CEO Nathalie Nelson, Younity Board Member Stephen Sigmund.,
