Newark, NJ - June 19, 2025 - On Wednesday, June 11, the Essex County Board of County Commissioners unanimously passed a Resolution urging the State Legislature to restore $575,000 in Grants-in-Aid funding to Wynona’s House that was eliminated in the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 State Budget.

The Resolution consenting to supporting Wynona’s House restoration of $575,000 funds was sponsored by County Commissioners Brendan Gill and Patricia Sebold. It highlights how Wynona’s House provides a lifeline to children and families in crisis, coordinating critical investigative, legal, therapeutic, and preventative services for over 950 child abuse cases annually throughout all 22 municipalities of Essex County.

“On behalf of all Essex County Commissioners, I strongly urge the State Legislature to restore and continue the previously appointed funds for Wynona’s House in the FY2026 budget. The Wynona House Child Advocacy Center provides life-altering aid to some of the most vulnerable in our Essex County community – victims of child abuse. Thanks to the incredible child-centered services offered at Wynona's House, children are much more likely to move past the terrible abuse they suffered to lead fulfilling and productive lives. It makes our community stronger, it prevents greater harm, and it’s the right thing to do,” said Essex County Commissioner Brendan W. Gill.

The potential elimination of the $575,000 in state funding in the proposed FY26 State Budget would jeopardize key initiatives and severely hinder Wynona’s House’s ability to continue providing its vital services. This loss threatens the future of critical programs, including our family advocacy program, a resource center, and summer activities, as well as maintaining a safe, child-friendly, trauma-informed facility and supporting the multidisciplinary care that children and families depend on.

At the Essex County Board of County Commissioners meeting, more than a dozen dedicated volunteers and staff members came together to support the organization. Their collective presence served as a strong demonstration of unity and commitment to the mission of supporting child advocacy and protection.

“This funding is not supplemental—it’s foundational,” said Robert Crocker, Executive Director of Wynona’s House. “For 25 years, Wynona’s House has stood as a safe haven for abused children and their families. Without this state support, the vital work of healing, protecting, and empowering children is put at risk. We are deeply grateful for the Essex County Board of County Commissioners’ continued leadership and advocacy.”

The Essex County Board of Commissioners expressed its full support for the restoration of the $575,000 Grants-in-Aid appropriation for Wynona’s House in the proposed FY26 State Budget, recognizing the critical role this funding plays in supporting the center’s mission and continued service to our community’s most vulnerable children.

“This is a very important facility in our society, one in which we must remember the legacy of Senator Lipman”, said Essex County Commissioner Patricia Sebold.

The Essex County Board of Commissioners urges the New Jersey Legislature and the Governor to restore this essential funding in the final FY26 budget, ensuring that Wynona’s House can continue to serve as a critical safety net for the children and families of Essex County with the care, compassion, and justice they deserve.

Community members are encouraged to join the call to action by visiting StandUpForNJChildren.org, where they can email the Governor and their legislators to support funding restoration.

For more information about Wynona’s House and how you can support their mission, visit wynonashouse.org.

About Wynona’s House Child Advocacy Center

Wynona’s House is an incorporated 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization named in honor of its legislative champion, the late Senator Wynona Lipman, who helped develop the center to promote hope, healing, and justice for the child victims of abuse and neglect in Essex County by coordinating investigation, prosecution, treatment, prevention, and supportive services utilizing the “child-centered” multidisciplinary team approach. Located in Newark, Wynona’s House is the first fully co-located Child Advocacy Center in New Jersey, serving the residents of Essex County and providing direct services to child victims and their families in more than 950 cases of child abuse and neglect each year. For more information about Wynona’s House, visit their website at wynonashouse.org.