Riverside County, CA — SAFE Family Justice Centers is proud to announce that Melissa Donaldson, the organization’s first employee and Executive Director, was awarded the Michael A. Hestrin Award at the Denim and Diamonds Event in August. This recognition highlights her unparalleled dedication and significant contributions to the community.
In honor of the District Attorney’s profound impact on the SAFE Family Justice Centers in Riverside County, the Michael A. Hestrin Award is presented to those who have made a substantial mark on our history and development, championed our work with influence, and committed to the values of the Family Justice Center framework. This award recognizes an individual or partner organization who has committed both professionally and personally to serving victims of violence in Riverside County and contributed to advancing the mission of the SAFE Family Justice Centers.
About Melissa Donaldson
Melissa Donaldson has been working in the field of social services for over 35 years. In 2001, she was hired as the first employee and Executive Director for Safe Alternatives for Everyone (now SAFE Family Justice Centers) and served in this role until 2015. She was instrumental in transforming the all-volunteer agency into a thriving, quality service provider. Melissa played a key role in the 2019 merger of Safe Alternatives for Everyone and the Riverside County Family Justice Centers, forming the SAFE Family Justice Centers. Under her leadership, the agency grew from a Temecula-based domestic violence agency into a county-wide service provider with three centers serving victims of multiple crime types.
In 2015, Melissa was appointed as the Division of Victim Services Director for the Riverside County District Attorney’s office. Under her leadership, the division developed the county’s first Critical Response Team for mass victimization events and expanded programs and services through new strategies and partnerships. Her efforts have been recognized with numerous awards, including commendations from Governor Davis and Governor Schwarzenegger, the Soroptimist International Making a Difference for Women Award, and the California Governor’s Crime Victim Advocate Award.
The SAFE Family Justice Centers and our community would not be the same without Melissa’s hard work and dedication. We are honored to present the 2024 Michael A. Hestrin Award to Melissa Donaldson.
