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Essex County commissioners back call to restore state funding for Wynonna's House
Summary
Commissioners unanimously moved a resolution urging state lawmakers and the governor to restore roughly $575,000 in proposed cuts to Wynonna's House, the county's child advocacy center that serves nearly 1,000 children annually.
Commissioners passed a resolution urging the restoration of proposed FY2026 state funding for Wynonna's House, the county’s child advocacy center that officials say serves nearly 1,000 children a year.
Danielle Torok, vice president of the Wynonna's House board of trustees, told the board the center was facing "nearly $575,000" in cuts to its state grant and described how the nonprofit provides wraparound services for victims of child abuse. "We serve almost close to 1,000 children a year," she said, and noted the center’s multi-decade record of service to Essex County families.
Commissioner Gill, who sponsored the resolution, said the board intended the measure to send a clear message to the state legislative delegation and the governor that the program is "too critical" to lose. The board moved the resolution by acclamation and approved it by roll call (majority yes, two commissioners absent).
The resolution is a formal expression of county support; it does not appropriate funds. County staff did not propose a local budget allocation during the meeting. Commissioners and staff said they will forward the board's message to state lawmakers and follow state budget developments.
Next steps: the county will transmit the resolution to the state legislative delegation and the governor’s office and monitor the state budget process for any movement on the center’s funding.
