Monroe Resident Kathy Maiolo has been named chairperson of the Board of Directors at The Center for Family Justice.

Maiolo, who joined CFJ’s board 7 years ago, is also an active volunteer at the nonprofit which provides crisis and supportive services to victims of domestic and sexual violence and child abuse in the communities of Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford and Trumbull.

Maiolo, who will serve a two-year term leading the 16-member Board of Directors, replaces Valerie Foster of Trumbull, who’s term on the board ended after serving the nonprofit for 9 years.  Foster will continue to support CFJ in a variety of volunteer roles.

In addition to her work supporting CFJ, Maiolo is the Outreach Chairperson at Monroe Congregational Church and the owner of KM Solutions, LLC, and a firm which provides personal and business concierge services.  She and her husband, John Maiolo, are the parents of two adult daughters.

“We are so grateful and excited to welcome Kathy into her new role as Board Chair,” said CFJ’s President & CEO Debra A. Greenwood. “Kathy is smart, compassionate and extremely dedicated to our mission of helping the thousands of victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence we serve each year find hope and healing.  Her leadership and commitment to putting their needs first will serve CFJ well during the next two years and for many years to come.”

Greenwood noted Maiolo’s term begins at a critical time for the nonprofit, which last year experienced double-digit increases in clients seeking crisis services. As a result of this increased demand, CFJ is working to expand services it offers in key areas including legal help, community education, bilingual crisis services and Camp HOPE America-Connecticut, its summer camp and year-long mentoring program for youth impacted by abuse.

Maiolo said she is excited to lead the CFJ Board of Directors as the nonprofit works to build even more community support and engagement in its mission. “It is not enough to talk about domestic and sexual violence and child abuse, we have to act,” she said. “It’s up to each of us to get involved and to be part of the solution.”

Maiolo also reflected on the importance of CFJ’s mission. “The Center is not just a building,” she said. “It’s a refuge for anyone who has been stripped of their dignity through no fault of their own. It’s a place where we can help build a brighter future for a child who is living in a violent environment that they can’t escape. It’s a place where we offer hope that what someone’s reality is today, no matter how difficult, does not to have to be their reality tomorrow.”

Last year CFJ provided services to more than 5,000 adults and children impacted by domestic and sexual violence and child abuse in the six communities it serves.