Originally published in August 2019 Newsletter

Experiencing various forms of abuse throughout her life resulted in a deep rooted desire to make a difference and to turn powerlessness into empowerment. As a result, Kristen Gizzi has emerged as a strong, empathetic and zealous advocate.  But what really shines through as she speaks, is her deep conviction to pursue justice for the vulnerable, to fight for right over wrong, and to raise strong and independent daughters.

Today, Kristen serves as General Counsel of ECCO III Enterprises, Inc. and ECCO Development, LLC both located in Yonkers, NY, where she handles a wide array of legal, management and risk reduction matters, as well as overseeing investment opportunities for the real estate company. 

The ambience at the office is quietly efficient yet decidedly busy, reminiscent of a large bustling family.  Her cousin pops into her office while we chat, to let her know he’s off to a construction site and to ask if she needs anything from him before he leaves.  As we tour the building, the office administrator rushes up to tell Kristen, “There are Italian ices in the freezer!  Be sure you get one before they are gone.”  In the next second, she identifies the dozen phone calls that have come in during the last twenty minutes that need Kristen’s attention.  There is barely time for Kristen to take a breath, yet the environment feels calm and unassuming.

Kristen became involved with Hope’s Door after sharing many of her life experiences with a dear friend and former Board member, Ken Marsolais.  Ken invited her to learn more about the work of Hope’s Door and thus began, what Kristen refers to as “a life-changing event that has resulted in one of the most fulfilling roles of my life.”  

Through her own life experiences and her work as a volunteer in domestic violence agencies, Kristen has observed that divorce attorneys and divorce judges may benefit from more education about domestic violence cases.  “I’d like to see Hope’s Door attorneys offer seminars for the divorce bar,” to ensure that attorneys and judges not treat divorce in domestic violence situations in the same manner that they may approach more traditional divorce cases. 

Kristen also wants everyone to know that Hope’s Door serves anyone who needs help.  “We started as a women’s shelter, but today we regularly care for and shepherd men, LGBTQ+ individuals, and young people, as well as many women, through counseling and legal issues related to domestic violence.  I’d like us to do a better job of letting everyone know that,” she says.  She’s calling for a review of Hope’s Door danger assessment and safety planning documents, which she is concerned may be skewed more toward serving women. 

One of her greatest passions is working with children to provide education and awareness.  Kristen sees the Hope’s Door Youth Prevention program as a way to help teens learn to make better choices.  Love Shouldn’t Hurt is an awareness, intervention, and prevention initiative of Hope’s Door that addresses the serious issue of abuse in dating relationships. Its purpose is to empower young people with the skills to distinguish between relationships based on power and control and those based on equality, respect and trust. Young people also learn strategies to help themselves and their peers confronting abuse. 

Earlier in her career, Kristen developed a curriculum for working with teens to educate them about financial issues, teen dating, drugs, and social media.  She plans to work with new Hope’s Door Youth Prevention Coordinator, Alexa Kauffman, to incorporate some of her curriculum ideas into the Love Shouldn’t Hurt curriculum.  Kristen will also play a role in the spring Youth Symposium, a highlight of the Youth Prevention program that draws thousands of young people to the County Center each year to learn about dating violence and healthy relationships, engage in a dialogue about the issue, and join our STAR (Student Talking About Relationships) peer leadership program. The symposium also offers separate workshops for educators and counseling professionals.  “The symposium is something I’m really looking forward to,” says Kristen.

Kristen recalls years ago meeting a survivor at a shelter visit who courageously shared with the group the harrowing experience she had undergone just to arrive at the safety of the shelter. When mistakenly referred to as a victim, she proudly corrected, stating ‘I am not a victim, I am victorious!’   It is that empowerment of an individual, whenever it is realized, that continues to motivate Kristen as she leads the Hope’s Door Board of Directors forward.