Wynona’s House Child Advocacy Center has announced a new collaboration with the Newark Public Library and the Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester to enhance efforts in preventing child abuse. The aim is to strengthen services through educational programming and resources provided by the city’s library system.
Anna M. Coats, assistant director of Public Services at the Newark Public Library, remarked on the importance of libraries beyond books, emphasizing their role in community engagement and empowerment. “We’re proud to collaborate with Wynona’s House to bring prevention and wellness programming to all of our library branches,” she stated.
Chris Ann Bautista, director of Prevention at Wynona’s House, highlighted the impact of their Prevention by Design project, stating they are overcoming barriers by utilizing familiar community spaces. This initiative, which started in 2022, was initially supported by The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey. Michael Schmidt, the organization’s CEO, praised the collaborative efforts, noting, “In funding Prevention by Design, The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey recognized the innovative work of Wynona’s House utilizing a proactive approach to ensuring healthier families and communities.”
Additionally, a partnership with the Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester will see the launch of a mentorship initiative in Newark and Essex County. Dr. Daniele Lyman-Torres, CEO of CACGROC, expressed the belief in collaboration to protect children, stating, “Partnering with Wynona’s House allows us to extend our reach and share best practices to build stronger, safer communities.”
Wynona’s House has been assisting child victims of abuse for over 25 years, providing crucial services in Essex County. It remains the first fully integrated Child Advocacy Center in New Jersey.
