Anna Diaz-White

Hazlet, NJ
Executive Director, 180 Turning Lives Around

On a typical day, New Jersey’s domestic violence hotlines receive about 20,000 calls, approximately 13 every minute. Leading the way in ensuring every one of those calls are answered in Monmouth County, New Jersey, is Anna Diaz-White, Executive Director of 180 Turning Lives Around. The Hazlet-based non-profit provides survivors of domestic and sexual violence and their families free and confidential programs and resources to process and heal from their experiences. Comprehensive support services include 24/7 hotlines, counseling, legal advocacy, and emergency shelter, as well as art and music therapy for children.

Anna has been at the helm of this effort to offer hope and support to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault at 180 Turning Lives Around for 40 years, 32 of them as Executive Director. Under Anna’s leadership, the organization has developed a state-of-the art, comprehensive approach to support survivors and their children. In her 40-year tenure at 180, Anna has developed innovative projects, including transitional housing and rapid re-housing for homeless domestic violence survivors. She also established the Family Justice Center, which provides a one-stop shop of social, civil, and legal services and infused the organization with trauma-informed service delivery.

Anna is grateful to the NJ Hall of Fame committee members for this prestigious recognition and congratulates the honorees and the unsung heroes everywhere working to make New Jersey and the world a better place.

For all her efforts to support victims of domestic violence and create a pathway to safety, healing, and independence, Anna Diaz-White is one of the New Jersey Hall of Fame’s 2023 Unsung Heroes.