Wynona’s House Launches Campaign to Restore $575,000 in State Funding and Protect Core Child Abuse Services
Take Action and Urge Legislators to #StandUpForNJChildren Before FY2026 Budget Deadline
Newark, NJ – May 13, 2025 –
As the State of New Jersey finalizes its FY2026 budget, the Senator Wynona M. Lipman Child Advocacy Center (Wynona’s House) is calling on lawmakers to restore the $575,000 in critical state funding that has sustained its operations for 25 years. The proposed elimination of this appropriation puts at risk the core services that protect over 950 child abuse victims and more than 1,200 family members each year across Essex County.
Named after the late Senator Wynona M. Lipman, Wynona’s House serves as the legislatively mandated Child Advocacy Center (CAC) for Essex County and stands as New Jersey’s only fully co-located location, bringing law enforcement, prosecutors, medical professionals, child protection workers, and mental health experts under one roof to deliver trauma-informed, child-centered care.
“This funding is not just a budget line—it’s a lifeline,” stated Robert Crocker, Executive Director and CEO of Wynona’s House. “Without it, we jeopardize the safety, justice, and healing of hundreds of children each year. We urge our state lawmakers to stand with us and protect New Jersey’s most vulnerable population.”
As part of its urgent campaign, Wynona’s House has launched a new advocacy website to make it easy for the public to get involved. The site allows visitors to email legislators directly, learn more about the impact of Wynona’s House, and join the movement to #StandUpForNJChildren.
Take action today at StandUpForNJChildren.org.
“This platform gives every New Jersey resident the power to help protect children,” said Nadine White, Family Advocate of the Family Financial Strengthening Initiative for Wynona’s House. “In just one to two minutes, you can raise your voice and urge lawmakers to restore the critical funding that ensures child victims are not forgotten.”
Wynona’s House serves 950 child victims cases and 1,200 siblings and family members annually across all 22 municipalities of Essex County. Funding helps Wynona’s House deliver trauma-informed, child-friendly care and coordination of a multi-disciplinary team supported by 20 hospital and 35 prosecutor’s office staff members. In addition, state funding supports seven child protection workers, 18 Wynona’s House employees, including family advocates, coordinators, prevention services, and security.
Survivor’s Statement: “I was introduced to Wynona’s House after my child disclosed abuse. After days of disbelief that this could happen to my family, self-blame, sadness, sleepless nights, constant crying, I was hopeless that anything could change our situation. A few days later, we were summoned to make our statements at Wynona’s House. My daughter and I were scared and disoriented. We did not know what was going to happen and how they were going to treat us. But from the moment the door opened, and we climbed those six steps, we were received with joy, affection, and respect. I confess that I was surprised – did I deserve that welcome? There was no criticism, only understanding and support. At Wynona’s House, I met wonderful people because they are kind, genuine, and sincere. And best of all, they are always willing and eager to help those of us who are going through terrible, painful moments. They have never made me feel that I am inconvenient. On the contrary, they always made me feel comfortable and appreciated. At Wynona’s, I felt supported, embraced, listened to, protected, and understood. Wynona’s House is a ray of light in the darkness. They illuminate an unfair, sad, and devastating path with love and kindness. But they need support to continue impacting the lives of many more. How I wish there were more Wynona’s Houses!”
To sign the petition, visit StandUpForNJChildren.org. For more information about Wynona’s House and how you can help, 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.
