24-Hour Helpline
(920) 729-5727
Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services
P.O. Box 99
Neenah, WI 54957-0099
Phone: (920) 235-5998
Fax: (920) 729-0690
Christine Ann teen advocate earns state honor
Governor's Council on Domestic Abuse Justice Award recognizes Ellison's leadership, innovation in working with teens
A Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services Inc. staff member who works closely and collaboratively with area teens, schools, law enforcement officials and child protective agencies to help keep young people safe and free from dating violence has received a statewide honor for her innovative work.
Christine Ann Teen Advocate Abby Ellison received the 2009 Justice Award To End Domestic Violence from the Governor's Council on Domestic Abuse, an honor given to "an organization or individual for outstanding accomplishment in promoting safety, empowerment and justice for victims of domestic abuse and their children..."
Ellison will receive her award in a special ceremony at the State Capitol on Oct. 14.
Christine Ann leaders nominated Ellison based on her multi-faceted "work and dedication to teen victims of dating and sexual violence and witnesses of domestic violence..."
"... Abby's advocacy work on behalf of teens has changed the attitudes of many statewide and community youth agencies and many others in area communities regarding teen victims," wrote Annette Beattie, client services manager for Christine Ann, which provides shelter and an array of other services to victims of domestic abuse in Winnebago and Green Lake counties.
Ellison, who has worked in the field of domestic violence advocacy for more than 11 years, daily assesses teens in need of services, helps them prepare safety plans and coordinates legal support, such as preparation of restraining orders. In her work leading groups and meeting one-on-one with clients, she also helps instill positive decision making in teens. That concentration also makes her a prized resource for area school counselors and staff who work with middle and high school youth.
Outside of schools, Ellison has helped establish a number of innovative initiatives. She currently leads development and implementation of the Winnebago County Teen Coordinated Community Response (CCR) team. The panel is hybrid, collaborative roundtable of domestic abuse and sexual assault agency, law enforcement, human services and school counselor representatives from throughout Winnebago County. Together, they are working toward more effectively educating teens in classrooms, strengthening connections with teens through safe social networking, enhancing school protocols to ensure teen health and safety and spreading awareness throughout the broader community about preventing teen dating violence. Already, the creative approach driving the Teen CCR is earning it attention in regions around Wisconsin. Ellison's work to launch the Teen CCR helped Ellison earn a current seat on the Children and Youth Committee of the Governor's Council on Domestic Abuse.
Ellison has also spent 18 months developing and launching the Alternative Choices for Teens (ACT) program. It involves 15 to 17-year-old high school males from Winnebago County considered abusive or aggressive. The program works with these teens, helping them hold themselves and one another accountable for violent behavior while developing problem solving techniques. Overwhelmingly, teens completing the program were able to recognize when they were choosing to be aggressive to communicate. The group members also challenged one another when participants glorified or minimized their aggression.
It's one more innovative program Ellison has led to address the entire spectrum of abuse and help Christine Ann achieve it's ultimate goal: The end of abuse. The agency proudly offers its congratulations on her well-deserved honor.
