The General Assembly unanimously approved a bipartisan resolution sponsored by Assembly Republican Caroline Casagrande designating May as “Displaced Homemakers Awareness Month” in New Jersey.

Displaced homemakers are those who have primarily worked in the home for many years and have suddenly lost their primary source of income because of the death, separation, divorce or disability of a spouse.

There are approximately 750,000 displaced homemakers in New Jersey.

“Although there are few jobs as challenging and rewarding as raising a family and managing a household, those skills don’t always help someone get a job in the 21st Century work place,” Casagrande, R-Monmouth, said. “There are many tremendous resources in New Jersey for those who have to suddenly figure out how to manage a family while learning to be the sole source of income. Raising awareness of this issue will help displaced homemakers meet their new challenges.”

The resolution, AJR-62, is aimed to increase public attention of displace homemakers and requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation in May calling on public officials and citizens to observe “Displaced Homemakers Awareness Month.”

New Jersey enacted the “Displaced Homemakers Act” in 1979, following a decade with a substantially increased divorce rate and appropriated start-up money for six Displaced Homemaker Centers in 1982. In 1984, the Displaced Homemakers Network formed and along with several other organizations has helped give displaced homemakers the help they need to lift themselves and their families out of dire situations, reducing the need for prolonged dependence on public assistance.

“Although displaced homemakers are used to taking care of others and don’t want to rely on assistance, sometimes they need a hand to help them out an unexpected and difficult situation,” Casagrande said. “Displaced Homemakers Awareness Month will empower families to overcome a loss and begin a new chapter in their lives.”

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