2026 Evening of Hope Honoree – Legacy of Service Award
Without Elaine Meyerson’s leadership, dedication and vision, Center for Hope & Safety would not be the organization it is today. As Executive Director of Shelter Our Sisters/Center for Hope & Safety from 1986 to 2015, Elaine was instrumental in empowering survivors of domestic violence and their loved ones to rebuild their lives. She grew the agency from a small grassroots organization to an integral and well-respected county-wide program offering a continuum of services—from a 24/7 hotline, shelter and transitional housing to children’s creative arts therapies, outreach services and community education benefiting Bergen County residents.
Among her numerous accomplishments, Elaine raised millions of capital dollars for the Safe House and transitional homes, facilitating a 1,500 square foot addition at the Safe House and expanding Transitional Housing capacity with three additional homes. She was also involved in the capital campaign that funded the acquisition of Center for Hope & Safety’s Community Center in Rochelle Park. She expanded programs and services for children, established a work readiness training program and a Hispanic outreach program, and accepted the responsibility as the first of four agencies to establish a Domestic Violence Liaison (DVL) program in the local child protective services offices.
Raising awareness of domestic violence and of the agency in the community was always a priority for Elaine. She spearheaded the development of the Pathway to Self-Sufficiency at Van Saun County Park in collaboration with Bergen County, and in 2014 facilitated the name change from Shelter Our Sisters (SOS) to Center for Hope and Safety (CHS) to reflect the evolution of the agency’s expanding range of programs and services.
Tireless in her advocacy for the rights of women and children, Elaine worked collaboratively with local and state-wide organizations as well as county and state legislators to meet the needs of those affected by domestic violence. Throughout her tenure she was a board member of the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence (NJCEDV), which is responsible for statewide training, advocacy, policies and funding that affect domestic violence services. She represented the agency and the county on many boards, including the Human Services Advisory Board and the Homeless Trust Fund Task Force. She served on advisory Boards of Project SARAH, Bergen Community College, Hackensack University Medical Center and Ramapo College.
After retiring in 2016, Elaine continued her efforts in the field as a non-profit consultant focusing on program management, development and human resources. She was appointed as the Interim Executive Director of the NJCEDV from 2017 to 2018, and her community involvement has included serving as a Board Member of the Bergen County Board of Social Services, a former Co-President and officer of the National Council of Jewish Women Bergen County Section and the Hillsdale Board of Health. In a 2015 article in (201) Magazine, Elaine said, “There is nothing greater than to witness the empowerment of a woman and to watch her move her life in a positive direction.” On behalf of the countless women she has helped to empower, and every survivor whose life has been forever changed by her work, we are thrilled to present Elaine with the 2026 Legacy of Service Award.