By Anne Levin

In an effort to make its services to victims of domestic violence more inclusive, the local nonprofit Womanspace has changed its name to Younity. The rebranding was made official at a gathering of staff, board members, community leaders, survivors, and supporters at Trenton Country Club on
November 13.

“We know that our community is diverse, and we also know that domestic violence does not discriminate,” said Nathalie Nelson, Younity CEO and president, this week. “It doesn’t only affect women. It affects men, children, the elderly — people from all backgrounds. We want to reflect that.”

Founded in 1977 to provide critical services for those affected by domestic violence and sexual abuse in the Mercer County region, Womanspace provides emergency and follow-up services including round-the-clock crisis intervention, short-term emergency shelter, short-term and long-term transitional housing, counseling, and support groups for adults and children. In the last fiscal year, more than 10,000 people received assistance from the nonprofit, according to Nelson.

The organization has been considering a rebranding for the past 10 years. “We want to grow and commit to inclusivity,” Nelson said. “We have always served men and children in addition to women, and sometimes the name ‘Womanspace’ was a deterrent. What we’re doing here is honoring the Womanspace legacy while providing healing for all survivors from all backgrounds.”

Among those quoted in a press release about the rebranding were board members Stephen Sigmund and Meaghan Cannon, both of whose late mothers were co-founders of Womanspace.

“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,” said Sigmund, son of former Princeton Borough Mayor Barbara Boggs Sigmund. “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.”

Cannon, who is board chair, said, “As the daughter of one of Womanspace’s founding members [Mary Ann Cannon], 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.”

Womanspace board members held focus groups, interviews, and meetings with their the advertising agency Imbue Creative to come up with the new name and brand. During her speech on November 13, Nelson paid tribute to Sigmund, Cannon, and fellow founders Deborah Metzger, Ellen Belknap, and Valorie Caffee as well as several staff members who have been with the organization anywhere from 10 to 40 years.

“We honor the foundation built by our history while stepping into a future that better reflects the strength, diversity, and resilience of whose we serve,” she said. “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.”

Visit Younitynj.org for more information.