The Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence (MCEDSV) named Petoskey’s Chris Krajewski recipient of the 2013 Award for Outstanding Advocacy and Community Work in Ending Violence Against Women.  Her unwavering passion for supporting and advocating on behalf of survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault, as well as advancing social change with respect to violence against women helped Krajewski earn the statewide recognition.

It was 26 years ago when Krajewski joined the staff of the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM) as the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Program Director.  Since that time she has created a strong program built on a survivor-centered philosophy.

“Chris is so deserving of this recognition,” said Jan Mancinelli WRCNM Executive Director.  “She sets the standard in treating survivors with the utmost respect, utilizing a strength-based focus and providing options to empower survivors to make their own decisions.  She also understands that a team approach to this, often times, challenging work is the foundation of successful advocacy and professional achievement.”

Krajewski is also active in social change work throughout the agency’s five-county service area of Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet and Otsego counties.  She has contributed to the creation and administration of equitable and supportive policies and procedures within systems and local institutions that touch the lives of survivors.  She has provided specific training and education related to the support of domestic abuse and sexual assault survivors to prosecutors, hospital personnel, tribal staff, police officers, judges, school administrators, teachers and human services providers.

Krajewski most recently supervised a tri-county Department of Justice project that involved analyzing and updating policies and procedures for law enforcement personnel in dealing with domestic abuse and sexual assault cases, as well as overseeing the necessary training.  The project has strengthened the local criminal justice response for survivors and is helping to hold offenders accountable.

Beyond her local work, Krajewski regularly contributes to statewide efforts to assist victims and help end violence against women and girls.  She has served as an expert witness in many communities, served as a board member for state agencies and for the past decade she has worked to establish quality assurance standards in Michigan as a peer reviewer.

“There are few who can match her skill, tenacity and tenure in the movement to end violence against women and girls,” said Jan Mancinelli.  “Chris has an outstanding work ethic, an unwavering passion for the issues and most of all she is loyal and courageous in the cause.”  
Mancinelli went on to say Krajewski accomplishes all she does with a “can-do” attitude, in spite of the demanding and difficult nature of her job.  “You seldom hear a discouraging word – she greets a new day with positive words, a witty joke and a smile,” said Mancinelli.

Krajewski accepted the award during the MCEDSV annual conference in Grand Rapids. MCEDSV is a statewide membership organization whose members represent a network of more than 70 domestic and sexual violence programs and more than 200 allied organizations and individuals. They have provided leadership as the statewide voice for survivors of domestic and sexual violence and the programs that serve them since 1978.