Former Brookdale student Stephanie Nicole Parze of Freehold would have been celebrating her 30th birthday on Monday, Feb. 19. Instead, her family and friends work tirelessly to spread the word about domestic violence.

In 2019, when Parze was 25 years old, she was killed by her abusive ex-boyfriend. It took 87 days of not-knowing anguish and widespread searching before her body was found.

The Stephanie Nicole Parze Foundation was created in her name to prevent these situations and help families cope when they do occur. Every member of the community should know about this grassroots organization and what to do if they are in trouble or know someone who is.

Brookdale public relations students are asking for volunteers on campus to join them from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19, to honor Stephanie’s memory by spreading the word about the dangers of domestic violence and sexual abuse and the work of the Stephanie Parze Foundation. Volunteers can drop by ATC 108 anytime between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. to pick up literature and join the effort.

Also, at 5:50 p.m. students and community members will gather on the SLC patio for a brief moment of silence, which will be completed in time for students to attend their 6 p.m. classes.

For more information about this memorial, contact Prof. Debbie Mura at dmura@brookdalecc.edu.

For more information about the foundation, students should visit snpfoundation.org.

If anyone needs emergency help, here are some emergency hotlines: for sexual abuse, 1-800-656-4673; domestic violence, 1-800-799-7233; New Jersey State Police Missing Persons Unit, 609-882-2000 Ext. 2554.