FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Donna Giberti,
Director of Development and Marketing
Independence House, Inc.
508-771-6507 x221, Fax 508-778-0143 donnag@indhouse.net
Christine Morin, Director of Prevention to Receive Unsung Heroine Award
May 9, 2016, Hyannis, MA —On Wednesday, June 22, 2016, the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women will present Christine (Chris) Morin, Independence House Prevention Director, with the 2016 Unsung Heroine Award. Chris will be honored, along with 119 extraordinary women throughout the state for her recognition in making outstanding contributions to Independence House and to our surrounding community.
The honorees are nominated by state legislators as a means of recognizing women for their previously unnoted yet valuable community contribution. State Representative for the 1st Barnstable District, Timothy Whelan, submitted Chris Morin for the 2016 nomination. “I am positively thrilled to nominate Chris”, says Rep. Whelan, “She is a fantastic woman and a credit to our community”.
Chris has been the face of Independence House to numerous organizations Cape-wide most notably in her role as the Prevention, Education and Outreach coordinator for the past five years. Chris has been instrumental in creating and maintaining tremendous collaborations with key organizations on Cape Cod in the work we do to prevent and address domestic and sexual violence. As a domestic violence and sexual assault counselor, Chris has helped hundreds of survivors find a path of independence and livelihoods that are violence free. Chris has helped to spearhead awareness campaigns and events in almost every corner of Cape Cod; has stepped into the role of organizing the Independence House float in the Provincetown Carnival each year; has donned an elf suit for the role as Santa’s helper in our Teddy Bear Breakfast; and has been an activist for the rights and safety of domestic and sexual violence survivors.
Independence House Executive Director, Lysetta Hurge-Putnam, states, “Chris is an outstanding advocate for social justice. She is richly deserving of this honor, and we are privileged to have her as a member of our Independence House Team. We all celebrate with her, and for her!”
The mission of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women is to provide a permanent, effective voice for women across Massachusetts. The Commission stands for fundamental freedoms, basic human rights and the full enjoyment of life for all women throughout their lives.
The mission of Independence House is to help all domestic violence and sexual assault victims, survivors and their children by creating opportunities to find safety and become empowered through crisis intervention, advocacy, counseling, referral, outreach, prevention, education and inspiring change in our community.
To learn more about Independence House and its programs and services, please visit www.independencehouse.org.
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