Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon Counties Director, Kristen Irizarry was awarded The Valliere and Counseling Associates Challenge Coin. Below is an excerpt from Kristen’s award letter:
“Valliere & Counseling Associates wants to recognize individuals who have gone above and beyond the duties of their job to commit themselves to the mission of ERADICATING VIOLENCE. Our mission is to make the world a safer place through protection, holding offenders accountable, and committing consistently to the mission of “no victims – no excuses.” This individual achieves the goals without cruelty or oppression, but through diligence, knowledge, commitment, and victim empowerment. This individual shows the COURAGE to CHALLENGE for change – individually, socially, and politically. This person works selflessly to make the world better, sometimes even at a cost.”
The reason for her nomination said this: “Kristen is the program director of JusticeWorks YouthCare Lehigh, Northampton, and Carbon counties. On a daily basis, she works tirelessly to demonstrate compassion, empathy, and understanding for victims of abuse, their families, and her staff who work them. She promotes child safety while helping staff care for themselves to ensure those staff are best able to help their families. There is never a time where Kristen will not help someone in need, whether it be covering a supervision, attending court, covering others cases, or working cases of her own, all while balancing calls for help from supervisors, staff, and clients. There are many weeks where she will work 60-80 hours just to be sure she has done all she can do to ensure the safety of the children and families we service.
Kristen has worked in the helping profession for over 15 years – giving of herself to child welfare cases and mental health systems while working continuously towards making the Lehigh Valley a safer and happier place for all. Thank you Kristen for doing your best to prevent further victimization in our community!” Nominated by: her very grateful and inspired supervisory team.
On top of all of this she sits on different boards in the community to further act out against violence and child maltreatment in our area. She is a beacon of hope and admiration in this all too often emotionally painful field.
Congratulation Kristen! You are an inspiration to all the members of the JusticeWorks family!