Monroe Police Department Honored as "Partner of the Year."

The Center for Family Justice has honored the Monroe Police Department and its officers as its 2022 “Partner of the Year” for their ongoing support of victims of domestic and sexual violence and abuse in the six communities it serves.

Debra A. Greenwood, President & CEO of the Bridgeport-based nonprofit presented the award to Monroe Police Chief Keith White at its annual meeting to be held on Tuesday, June 14 at the Trumbull Marriott.

CFJ gives its Partner of the Year award annually to a community organization or nonprofit which collaborates with its team to provide crisis and supportive services to adults and children impacted by the trauma of abuse in the region.

The Monroe Police Department was chosen this year based on its ongoing efforts to protect and serve abuse victims in the town as well as its December 2021 Stuff the Gazebo Toy Drive, which it held to help provide client children served by CFJ with a special holiday season. As a result of its officers efforts, more than 280 children received toys and gift cards distributed by the nonprofit during the last holiday season.

“Every day, we appreciate the risk and effort police officers in the six communities we serve put into protecting adults and children who have experienced the trauma of abuse,” said Debra A. Greenwood, President & CEO of The Center for Family Justice. “During the last year, the officers of the Monroe Police Department took their support for our youngest clients to the next level. By holding this toy drive they demonstrated they care about what happens to them after a crisis has passed and are committed to helping these hurting kids reclaim their health and well-being.”

As a Family Justice Center, CFJ takes a collaborative approach to providing services to the more than 4,200 clients it serves annually, striving to provide all the services they need in one safe place. It does this by working with a network of community partners, which includes local law enforcement, to help keep its clients who have experienced domestic or sexual violence safe and supported.

Chief White said he was honored to receive the award on behalf of his officers.

“We have been working with The Center for Family Justice for many years. Our relationship has provided support for our local families which includes access to services and specialties that otherwise would not be readily available,” he said. “Having to go through any court process can be a daunting task. The advocates from CFJ help our families navigate the sometimes-difficult progressions in both civil and criminal court settings. CFJ’s reach is far, and I am glad they are here as a working partner in our community. “

In addition to honoring the Monroe officers, CFJ also paid tribute to several others at its annual meeting.

Monroe resident Kathryn Maiolo was recognized as her three-year tenure as CFJ’s Board Chair and decade of service as a board member concluded. Attorney Matt Reale of Trumbull will succeed Maiolo as Board Chair.

The nonprofit also gave several other awards at its annual meeting: CFJ Development & Events Manager Lauren Cicchetti was honored as CFJ’s Carol Roberto Employee of the Year. Trumbull resident Sheila Hageman, a CFJ clinical services intern, received its 2022 Beatrice Boucher Volunteer of the Year award. The radio stations of Connoisseur Media Connecticut received CFJ’s Community Hero of the Year award for supporting CFJ in a variety of philanthropic ways during the last several years.