Press Release - January 15, 2003
Office of the Commissioner of Probation

MASS. PROBATION EMPLOYEES RECOGNIZED
AS NEW BEDFORD'S PERSON OF THE YEAR
FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS

          New Bedford resident Colleen Pina-Garron, a Probation Officer in Charge at the New Bedford Juvenile Resource Center, was recently recognized as the city’s “Woman of the Year.” This is the second year in a row that a New Bedford probation employee has been spotlighted. The “Man or Woman of the Year” is an honor bestowed by the New Bedford Standard-Times which pays tribute to outstanding citizens and their contributions to the community.

          Pina-Garron, a life-long New Bedford resident, served on the search committee for a new superintendent of schools. She also routinely assists local parents in their dealings with the school system. Pina-Garron’s involvement with the superintendent search garnered her an invitation to speak about parent empowerment at conferences in Baltimore and San Francisco. She also helped organize a conference, “Common Threads,” in the city to address the concerns of Cape Verdeans.

          Award nominations are submitted by members of the community and members of the newspaper staff. A newsroom committee selects the winner.

          Last year, Carl Cruz, Assistant Chief Probation Officer, was selected “Man of the Year.” Cruz, a 24-year probation employee, was honored for his efforts to educate the public about the contributions of African-Americans and Cape Verdeans in the City of New Bedford. Cruz also assisted the city in identifying more than 300 New Bedford Soldiers who served during the Civil War, including those brave soldiers who fought in the 54th Regiment.

          The Massachusetts Probation Service is a department of the Massachusetts Trial Court. There are 12 Superior Court, 70 District Court and 12 Probate & Family Court probation offices throughout the Commonwealth. Probation’s Juvenile Court system includes 11 divisions which represent every county in the state. The Office of the Commissioner of Probation (OCP) serves as the central administrative office for the state Probation Service and the Office of Community Corrections which operates 22 Community Corrections Centers throughout the state.