The Center for Family Justice
Melissa Martinez has extensive experience in providing mental health services, particularly focused on children affected by trauma. Currently serving as the Program Manager of Child Advocacy Center Clinical Services at The Center for Family Justice since August 2019, Melissa supervises a clinical team and provides trauma-focused therapy to children impacted by violence. Previously, Melissa held positions such as Child Advocacy Clinician at the same organization, where the first outpatient mental health program for child victims was established. Other roles include Youth Counselor at Stratford Community Services and Outpatient Therapist at The Child & Family Guidance Center, along with a Practicum Supervisor position at Fairfield University. Melissa holds a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from Fairfield University and a Bachelor of Arts in International/Global Studies from the same institution.
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The Center for Family Justice
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Our roots in the greater Bridgeport, Connecticut community are deep, dating to 1895, first as a YWCA and then as The Center for Women and Families of Eastern Fairfield County. On January 21, 2014, we officially changed our name to The Center for Family Justice, Inc., beginning an 18-month transformation into Connecticut’s first Family Justice Center and the 95th in the world. We serve six Fairfield County towns: Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford and Trumbull. What is a Family Justice Center? Family Justice Centers (FJC) use a coordinated approach to offer services designed to break the cycle of violence, in a safe place, under one roof. Police, prosecutors, civil/legal providers, counselors and client advocates work together to streamline how they help people heal while reducing costs. The Center for Family Justice Although our name changed, we continue with the work we have provided for 12 decades: providing free, confidential, bilingual crisis services that help all people plagued by domestic and sexual violence restore their lives, and educating our communities to prevent future abuse. It is the comprehensive services our partners are providing that are streamlining the road to healing and self-sufficiency. Why the change? We know the FJC model works, based on documented outcomes since the first FJC opened in San Diego, CA, in 2002 that include: Reduced homicides; Increased community support services; Increased safety and autonomy, which is empowering for clients; Reduced fear and anxiety, recantation and minimization for those suffering from domestic and sexual violence; Increased prosecution of offenders; Reduced costs because all services are in one place; Streamlined processes.