New York Mets digital media host Mike Janela recently served as emcee for Wynona’s House Child Advocacy Center 4th Annual Charity Golf Outing, a fundraiser that also marked the nonprofit’s 25-year milestone of providing service and support for child victims of abuse and neglect.  

Throughout its history, Wynona’s House has impacted more than 36,494 individuals, including 12,896 child victims and 23,598 family members. Fundraisers like the Oct. 8 golf outing at the Crystal Springs Resort help to raise awareness and financial support for the nonprofit’s mission to strengthen families and build a community where children feel safe again. 

“I know how important feeling safe and secure as a child is for your upbringing,” Janela said. “I just want every child to have that same opportunity, to grow up healthy, and happy like I did. 

“Being that Wynona’s House is based in Newark, and that’s where my family immigrated to in the ’60s and ’70s from Portugal, I felt a personal connection to the organization because they were serving all of Essex County,” he said. “I want every kid to feel cared for and supported.” 

Robert Crocker, executive director of Wynona’s House, said the turnout for the fundraiser demonstrated the “power of community.” 

“It reignites a burning passion to keep pushing forward and to carry out our mission because we know we are not alone in this fight for justice,” Crocker said. 

The support extended through this event was not only financial; it represented a community united in its commitment to making a profound and lasting impact, said Steven Shields, Wynona’s House facility consultant and volunteer golf committee member. 

“I love Wynona’s House’s mission,” Shields said. “Their efforts truly change lives by providing children with the hope and healing they need after facing trauma. It goes beyond mere support; it’s about ensuring that kids have a genuine chance at justice and healing.” 

Wynona’s House Child Advocacy Center is an incorporated 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization named in honor of its legislative champion, the late state Senator Wynona Lipman. She helped develop the center to promote hope, healing, and justice for the child victims of abuse and neglect in Essex County by coordinating the 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.