Human Trafficking Victims Have New Fair Lawn Advocate

FAIR LAWN, NJ — Helping human trafficking victims. Providing foster care services. Counseling women going through unplanned pregnancies.

These are things the staff of Bethany Christian Services are passionate about. That is what made Yesenia Fermin want to join the nonprofit as its new executive director.

Fermin started with the organization Aug. 7.

"I fell in love with the staff’s fire to carry out the mission and serve families in need as well as the much needed services being provided to unaccompanied minors and human trafficking victims," Fermin said in a statement. “I have worked alongside organizations where the passion for the work just wasn’t there. While visiting a couple of the branches, I experienced the work come alive. The energy, excitement and passion of the staff is contagious."

Fermin earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and began working as an in-home counselor for Catholic Charities. She soon found her passion in social work and earned her master’s degree in 2010 with a specialty in Violence Against Women and Children.

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Photo: Yesenia Fermin/Courtesy of Bethany Christian Services