Wynona’s House Child Advocacy Center has successfully secured the restoration of $575,000 in critical state funding for the upcoming fiscal year, ensuring its vital services for child victims of abuse and neglect in Essex County will continue uninterrupted.
The center publicly extended its gratitude to New Jersey’s 29th Legislative District leaders—Senator Teresa Ruiz, Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin, and Assemblywoman Shanique Speight—for spearheading the effort to reinstate the funds in the state budget after the appropriation was initially excluded.
A lifeline for Essex County children
Wynona’s House serves a crucial role, handling approximately 950 child abuse cases annually across all 22 municipalities of Essex County. The center provides a safe, child-friendly space where more than 950 child victims and 1,200 siblings and family members each year receive comprehensive, trauma-informed care and support under one roof.
“This critical investment ensures that children and families across Essex County impacted by abuse and neglect will continue to have access to Wynona’s House’s life-changing services,” Robert Crocker, executive director of Wynona’s House said. “Their advocacy helped ensure that Wynona’s House can continue to provide a safe space where children are heard, believed, and supported every step of the way.”
Legislative advocacy drives restoration
The funding restoration was achieved through the determined efforts of the District 29 state legislators, who worked in partnership with the Essex County Board of County Commissioners. Their advocacy included introducing Assembly and Senate Resolutions that called for the funding’s reinstatement, underscoring the vital role Wynona’s House plays in promoting safety, healing, and justice for vulnerable children statewide.
Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz emphasized the profound impact of the center. “Wynona’s House is a beacon of hope for children and their families facing unimaginable trauma and neglect, providing the resources and compassion they need to heal and move forward,” she stated. “Securing funding to support that mission goes to the very heart of what policy is intended to do.”
Assemblywomen Eliana Pintor Marin and Shanique Speight echoed this commitment in a joint statement, highlighting the legislators’ duty as public servants and mothers. “We want our parents and children to know that help is available and right here in the heart of Newark,” they shared. “As legislators and moms, we have a duty to ensure every child is protected from serious physical injury and harm.”
Coordinated care and collaboration
Wynona’s House, named in honor of its legislative champion, the late Senator Wynona Lipman, is New Jersey’s first fully co-located Child Advocacy Center. It coordinates a powerful Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) response involving staff from the Prosecutor’s Office, child protection workers, hospital staff, and Wynona’s House’s own team of family advocates and coordinators.
The restored funding ensures the center can continue to provide child-centered, trauma-informed care and lead prevention and training initiatives that impact thousands of children, families, and professionals across the region.
