Sarah Gereszek, assistant state’s attorney with Grand Forks County, has been named the Community Violence Intervention Center (CVIC) 2021 Peacemaker Award recipient.
Gereszek is part of the personal crimes team where she works to uphold the safety of people harmed in some of the most dangerous cases of domestic violence.
“Time and time again, our clients express that they feel Sarah hears and cares for them at perhaps the most vulnerable time in their lives,” said Coiya Tompkins, CVIC president/CEO. “We are grateful to Sarah for her compassion work to make our community a safer place to live.”
Gereszek continues to show a commitment to offender accountability as well as victim safety, often representing the state at Domestic Violence Court hearings and provides balanced and objective support to all individuals involved.
“I am honored and humbled,” Gereszek said. “I couldn’t accomplish what I have if it wasn’t for the amazing law enforcement officers who I get to work these types of cases with and the awesome CVIC team of advocates and those from New Choices (domestic violence intervention). Knowing that CVIC has so many resources and ways to help individuals affected by domestic violence provides me with tools to help others.”
The designation, which CVIC awards annually to a local citizen who demonstrates outstanding commitment and leadership to ending violence in greater Grand Forks, was announced Friday, Sept. 24 as part of CVIC’s Judd Sondreal Memorial Rise & Shine for Peace breakfast. The event hosted more than 550 guests and raised more than $500,000 for interpersonal violence prevention, education and intervention programs.