Newtowner Appointed To COO At Nonprofit

Bridgeport — Christina Kazanas of Newtown has been named chief operating officer at The Center for Women and Families of Eastern Fairfield County in Bridgeport. In the newly created position, Ms Kazanas will oversee day-to-day operations for the provider of services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Most recently, Ms Kazanas worked for the New York AIDS Coalition, Inc, where since 2000 she had served first as project director, then director of operations, and finally director of state and local affairs. Previously, she was coordinator of government grants and contracts for The Education Alliance and a project associate for Harlem Directors Group, both in New York.

Ms Kazanas earned a BA in sociology from Indiana University and an MS in social work from Columbia University. The Center for Women and Families offers bilingual services for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence and women newly released from prison living in Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford, and Trumbull.

Services include Kathie’s Place, a domestic violence safe house; 24-hour crisis hotlines; court, medical, and legal advocacy; referral to other community agencies; and support groups, short-term counseling, and individual therapy for adults and children. The organization coordinates efforts to investigate and prosecute those who sexually assault or severely abuse children. The center also seeks to expand community awareness and education about victim issues and services in the region.

For more information, visit www.cwfefc.org or call 203-334-6154.