Zone 17
No. 14 Vol. 1
New View Media Group • 1-800-691-7549
January 16, 2018
Montville Creates Response Team To Aid Victims Of Discrimination
T
By Anya Bochman he township of Montville is taking a proactive approach to hate and violence with the creation of its Response Team, an initiative of the OneMontville program. The non-profit community advocacy organization, which aims to promote acceptance, kindness and respect in Montville’s diverse community, has formed the team to find unique ways to aid individuals and families that may have been targeted by discrimination or hate crimes. OneMontville is comprised of teachers, parents, clergy and various organizations that get together on a monthly basis to discuss how to keep Montville an inclusive and hate-free space, as well as “promote a climate of acceptance, inclusion and kindness.” In its mission statement, the organization states that its purpose “can only be fully accomplished through the involvement and commitment of community leaders, religious leaders, business leaders, and residents of all ages, races, religions, ethnicities, abilities, gender identity or sexual orientation.” Shari Schwartz, president of OneMontville Board of Directors, estimates that the organization currently has some 50 members; last spring, the idea of the Response Team was discussed at a meeting, with the goal of finding ways to provide support or care to families or individuals that have been affected by discrimination or hate crime. Acknowledging that the organization is not comprised of professionals, Schwartz explained that it would work collaboratively with the police and social workers. “If someone does feel like they’ve been a victim, they can contact us and let us know how we can provide support,” Schwartz said, adding that in a few weeks the organization would be meeting with social workers to better coordinate its efforts.
OneMontville members and Board of Directors hold a sign of the organization at a recent screening of “Wonder.” Pictured, from left, is Rabbi Mark Finkel, treasurer; Shari Schwartz, president; Christine Horvath, vice president; Enid Davis, member; Morgan Fall, student member; Cathy Lundquist, board member; Michael Gillen, member; and Andrea Orris, board member. Photo courtesy/Shari Schwartz.
She further stated that she hopes the police can refer individuals to the Response Team when appropriate. In the past, OneMontville helped subsidize an educational program at Pine Brook Jewish Center, and a couple of months ago, it sold discounted tickets to “Wonder,” a film about a child with Treacher Collins Syndrome attempting to fit in at school. Other endeavors include running a food pantry and plans for a community-wide walk on Martin Luther King Jr Day. “We want to provide service and be proactive,” said Schwartz. “What if something happens? We want to show that we’re a caring community and we support people.” To accomplish this, the OneMontville Response Team will offer services such as guidance on how to approach local law enforcement, and provide local government
or other appropriate agency resources. The team will help those that reach out within its parameters as a volunteer community advocacy organization. “We hope it’s not needed, but as wonderful of a community as Montville is, it’s not a utopia – wherever you live, there can be hate,” Schwartz stated. “We want to show that we care.” Schwartz also acknowledges that regular meetings of OneMontville may be difficult to attend for some individuals, affecting membership numbers. “We encourage people to come to our meetings,” Schwartz said. “The next one is on Feb. 20 at 9:30 a.m. at the library.” Individuals or families that feel that they have been victims of discrimination or hate crime can contact OneMontville’s Response Team at OneMontvilleResponseTeam@gmail.com.