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CONTACT: Dominic Prophete, JD, Executive Director
(973) 753-1110 dprohete@wynonashouse.org
Carol Berger, JD, Chief Program Officer/MDT Coordinator
(973) 753- 1165 cberger@wynonashouse.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 20, 2016
Newark Non-profit hosting “Back to School BBQ” to benefit
child victims of abuse
(NEWARK)- Wynona’s House, the designated child advocacy center for Essex County, New
Jersey, will be holding its annual “Back to School BBQ” for the families of child abuse victims.
The event will take place at Wynona’s House, 185 Washington St. in Newark, on Saturday,
August 20th from 12pm to 4pm. There is a rain date set for August 27th.
Last year, over 315 children attended the event and every single child left with an age-
appropriate backpack filled with school supplies. The families who attended all had received
treatment at Wynona’s House during the previous year. This year, even more children are
expected to attend as the center continues to grow.
“We service all of Essex County, so many of our families suffer from financial adversity. This
makes it hard for them to provide the basic life necessities for themselves and for their children,”
Family Advocate Ashley Pires said. “This event really impacts their lives and makes a
difference.”
The event includes food, games, a bounce house, and other fun games for the enjoyment of the
Wynona’s House community.
New CEO Dominic Prophete, JD, notes how the event is “core to our mission” of providing
services to “the most vulnerable population- our youth.”
“Our main goal for this event is to prepare our children for school. The first day of school is so
full of emotions, from excitement to anxiety. We want to ensure the children that they are

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equipped and prepared to handle and conquer their fears. We want to show them that they can do
anything,” he said. “At Wynona’s House, we are not just concerned about the healing process,
but also ensuring and reassuring that our children are prepared for the world.”
Those who would like to contribute school supplies or make a donation to Wynona’s House
should contact Ashley Pires at (973) 753-1146 or visit wynonashouse.org.
…
Wynona’s House Child Advocacy Center, the designated child advocacy center for Essex
County, has helped over 850 child victims, as well as their families, in the past year. The center
works with community partners by coordinating investigations, prosecution, treatment, and
prevention services for children and non-offending families utilizing innovative, evidence-based,
multi-disciplinary team approaches to improving outcomes for the children and families it
serves.
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