SOMERSET — July 20, 2021 — Victory Subaru has named the Center for Great Expectations as its Hometown Charity for the 14th annual SHARE THE LOVE event to support the nonprofit’s charitable mission facilitating the recovery of domestic abuse victims in New Jersey.
“Victory Subaru is proud to support our community and the incredible work achieved every day by the Center for Great Expectation,” said Brandon Baker, owner of Victory Subaru. "Victims of domestic abuse are not alone thanks to the good work of this incredible local charity, which helps women and children across the entire state.”
“Being a good neighbor tasks us all with the opportunity to support one another while championing the work of local advocates helping families in need,” he said. “The Love Promise is our commitment to always support our community by supporting the people around us working to create a better world through acts of compassion.”
“Being a good neighbor tasks us all with the opportunity to support one another while championing the work of local advocates helping families in need,” he said. “The Love Promise is our commitment to always support our community by supporting the people around us working to create a better world through acts of compassion.”
The Center for Great Expectations, founded in 1998, provides expecting mothers, facing homelessness in order to flee domestic violence, with a safe place to live so that they may complete a healthy pregnancy. The center offers adolescent and adult services including outpatient treatment and permanent supportive housing.
The annual SHARE THE LOVE event, which runs during the holiday season from November through the New Year, is part of the Love Promise at Victory Subaru.
The Center for Great Expectations shared that the nonprofit is beyond grateful and excited to be selected as Victory Subaru’s recipient for the 14th annual Subaru SHARE THE LOVE event.
“It’s amazing to work with such a fantastic organization as Victory Subaru,” said Tim Cummings, chief operations officer. “Having a close relationship with such a dynamic partner is incredibly significant to our work and mission. It really does take a village and this partnership highlights the importance and significance of robust community relationships.”
In addition to the Subaru SHARE THE LOVE event, the Victory Subaru Love Promise can be seen in various partnerships with local charities and nonprofits throughout each year. Some of the organizations Victory Subaru supported in 2020 include, in addition to the Center for Great Expectations, the Salvation Army in New Brunswick, Jersey Girls Animal Rescue, Milltown-North Brunswick VFW, the Arc of Somerset County, the Jewish Family Services food pantry and the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, among others.
“By supporting the good work of these nonprofits, Victory Subaru is able to help advance their missions locally, regionally and across the state,” Baker said. “As part of our Love Promise commitment, Victory Subaru is grateful for the opportunity to serve this incredible community each and every day.”
Since January of 2021, the Center for Great Expectation’s programs have welcomed nine healthy babies, in addition to supporting seven women in their effort to reunite with their children.
“Subaru’s generosity has helped us create a safe space and path for clients, equipping them with the tools and resources required to lead healthy and productive lives free of the generational cycle of abuse and neglect,” said Cummings.
“Individuals that come to the center seeking support bring with them extensive trauma histories and are often in their early stages of recovery,” Cummings said. “It is amazing to witness the transformation and growth that can occur when engaged in a supportive and therapeutic setting.”
Victory Subaru has supported the Center for Great Expectations steadily during the last seven years. The nonprofit has previously been selected as the dealership’s Hometown Charity in 2014 and 2020.
Last holiday season, during the 13th Subaru Share The Love event from Nov. 19 until January 4, customers buying a vehicle at Victory Subaru had the option to donate up to $250 to support this local charity in addition to opportunities to support Steps-Together, based in Hillsborough, and several national organizations including ASPCA, Make-A-Wish, Meals on Wheels and the National Park Foundation.
On May 17, Victory Subaru presented charitable donations to two hometown nonprofits — $13,538 was donated to the Center for Great Expectations and Steps-Together. Additionally, Victory Subaru donated $5,044 to Steps-Together.
“Doing the most good possible in the local community wouldn't be possible without the support of Victory Subaru’s wonderful community-conscientious customers,” Mr. Baker said.
In April 2020, during the statewide shutdown to mitigate the pandemic, Victory Subaru drove a fully loaded Outback, 
filled with all-new essential supplies, plus arts & crafts for families and toys for children, to the center. Items included brand-new packages of baby wipes and diapers, cases of distilled water, dish soap, laundry detergent and containers of hair conditioner and body wash. The donation also included coloring books, markers, colored pencils and an assortment of games, among other goodies for youngsters to enjoy.
filled with all-new essential supplies, plus arts & crafts for families and toys for children, to the center. Items included brand-new packages of baby wipes and diapers, cases of distilled water, dish soap, laundry detergent and containers of hair conditioner and body wash. The donation also included coloring books, markers, colored pencils and an assortment of games, among other goodies for youngsters to enjoy.Throughout 2020, the Center for Great Expectations (CGE) served over 1,000 individuals across seven different counties in New Jersey. The nonprofit, based in Somerset, operates six unique programs — its continuum of care — that are in place to support clients at various stages of their life journey.
“You all helped, and continue to help, shape me into a better person, a better mother, a better human being. I couldn’t have done any of it without CGE,” said a New Jerseyan in a recent testimonial about the nonprofit. “Hands down I owe my life to CGE and the wonderful people there. They helped me do a complete 180 turn in a direction where living is actually possible.”
“Victory Subaru is reaffirming our commitment to this community by pledging continual charitable support to help our neighbors and friends at the Center for Great Expectations where victims in recovery can heal from the trauma of domestic violence in New Jersey,” Mr. Baker said. “Together we can make a difference.”
