Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus has recognized Joanna Janik, Risk Reduction Project Coordinator for Safe Homes of Orange County and the City of Newburgh Police Department, as March’s Citizen of the Month for her dedication to working with domestic violence victims.
“The work that Joanna performs with law enforcement assists some of the most vulnerable residents in our community,” Neuhaus said. “Joanna is a caring person and passionate about her work helping domestic violence victims. I commend her for making a difference in their lives and providing them hope. The County will continue to partner with Safe Homes to raise awareness about domestic violence.”
The Risk Reduction Program identifies intimate partner abuse cases deemed to be at high risk for lethal violence at the earliest point possible with the goal of increasing victim safety, ensuring services for victims and enhancing monitoring and enforcement to better hold offenders accountable for their behavior. Janik, a Monroe resident, also works closely with Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler’s office and with the Orange County Probation Department.
Janik has worked at Safe Homes for six years. Safe Homes provides free counseling, support groups, legal services, and other forms of support to victims of domestic violence, teen dating violence and human trafficking, and gives training to agencies, businesses, law enforcement, and individuals regarding domestic violence. She previously worked for the New York Police Department (NYPD) as a Domestic Violence Police Program Manager for seven years.
“I have seen how domestic violence has impacted friends and I feel that there is no reason for it,” Janik said. “There is a need for the work that I conduct, and I can’t do it without a great team behind me. The City of Newburgh Police Department has been extremely supportive of me and I appreciate that County Executive Neuhaus has recognized me with this award, which will bring more attention to domestic violence victims.”
A native of Poland, Janik came to the U.S. in 1993 and became a naturalized citizen two years later. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Police Science from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in 1998. Janik is active in the community and has served as president of the Chester Library Board and a volunteer coach with Girls on the Run, a non-profit program for girls in third through eighth grades that encourages them to be healthy and confident through an experience-based curriculum that integrates running.
Janik has also worked with the homeless in Orange County through HONOR, which provides individualized and integrated services to people who are combating chemical dependency, in need of transitional housing, or require crisis intervention.
“Joanna is an extraordinary advocate for survivors of domestic violence, teen dating violence, and human trafficking,” said Kellyann Kostyal-Larrier Safe Homes of Orange County’s Executive Director. “She never views anything as impossible, just a challenge in need of a solution. Safe Homes is very fortunate to have Joanna on our team and we are proud of the recognition that she has earned from County Executive Neuhaus.”
Neuhaus introduced his Citizen of the Month Award, which acknowledges outstanding Orange County residents, in January of 2017. To nominate someone for the Citizen of the Month Award, please email ceoffice@orangecountygov.com or mail a letter to “Citizen of the Month” at 255-275 Main Street Goshen, N.Y. 10924. Be sure to include the nominee’s name, hometown, a list of their accomplishments, why you are nominating them and any other pertinent information. Nominees must be from Orange County.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, you can call Safe Homes of Orange County 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (845) 562-5340.