Our Mission

The mission of the Women’s Center is to serve the varied needs of Displaced Homemakers in their quest for economic self-sufficiency. Displaced homemakers are individuals who have worked in the home for a number of years and due to the divorce, separation, death or disability of a spouse or partner, now find themselves as the primary source of household income. In many cases displaced homemakers may be underemployed and unable to support either themselves or their children.

The Women’s Center works to accomplish its mission by offering a full range of comprehensive services and programming that provides individuals the skills and knowledge needed to achieve their employment goals and become financially self-sufficient. We do this through career counseling, education and training, job readiness, networking, outreach, referrals and emotional support.

Our Impact

The Women’s Center at County College of Morris is a grant-funded program through the New Jersey Division on Women (DOW) and has been serving Displaced Homemakers for over 25 years, helping thousands of individuals become economically independent.

The Women’s Center serves individuals from Morris County and surrounding areas. We are one of twenty-two centers across the state of New Jersey. The Women’s Center at CCM is part of the Displaced Homemakers Network of New Jersey, Inc., a 501(c)(3) partnership of service providers and concerned citizens who support and advocate for the needs of Displaced Homemakers.

Our History

In 1974, the New Jersey Division on Women (DOW) was established by statute as a pioneering state agency for women’s advocacy. Today, DOW continues the tradition of advocating for women’s rights and opportunities by funding organizations, agencies and programs that serve New Jersey women.

In 1979, New Jersey enacted the Displaced Homemakers Act to assist individuals who lost their primary source of income due to divorce, separation, death or disability of a spouse and must obtain or upgrade skills to transition into the labor market.

In 2013, legislation was enacted designating May as “Displaced Homemakers Awareness Month” in New Jersey.

Across the state, Displaced Homemaker programs have assisted more than 750,000 women.

The Women's Center Team

Shannon Lengares, MSW, LSW – Director
slengares@ccm.edu

As the Director of The Women’s Center, Shannon is responsible for the overall operation and implementation of The Women’s Centers programs and services.

Michele Johnson, MA, CPC – Career Counselor
mjohnson@ccm.edu

As the Career Counselor at The Women’s Center, Michele administers and interprets career-related assessments. Through career counseling, she assists participants in defining career goals and identifying areas for further education.

Kathy Vincelette, MA, CPRW – Employment Specialist
kvincelette@ccm.edu

As the Employment Specialist, Kathy assists participants with resume and cover letter writing as well as job searches and interview preparation. She also facilitates the Job Club Speaker Series, Job Seekers Support Group and the Interviewing Skills and Job Search Workshops.

Patty Borowski – Office Administrator
pborowski@ccm.edu

As the Office Administrator, Patty will most likely be your first point of contact. She coordinates the daily activities of the program including scheduling appointments, managing legal services, volunteers and various workshops offered through the program.

Volunteers
We are grateful to have experienced volunteers who come from different industries and bring participants their expertise in software programs and the hiring process. They meet with participants on a one-on-one basis to provide computer tutoring and job readiness support.