News  Essex Juvenile Probation Officer April Anderson receives Lynn’s Black Excellence Award

Ms. Anderson's photograph is on display at Lynn City Hall. 

Ms. Anderson, the only African-American Juvenile Probation Officer in Essex County, is one of 10 local community leaders who are being honored by the North Shore Juneteenth Association Inc., a Lynn-based "group of community leaders seeking to create awareness about the Juneteenth holiday, educate the broader community about positive aspects of African American culture, and dismantle racism by using events and programming as a tool for change," according to the Association's website. 

The City Hall posting reads in part:

"Ms. Anderson’s passion lies within youth and community and she will continue to support those that are the faces, the organizers, the coaches, and the families whose genuine passion reflects that of her own."

Probation Commissioner Edward Dolan congratulated Ms. Anderson on being honored, "April Anderson is a stellar example of our Probation Officers who contribute to the courts through their great work and extend their efforts to help those in the communities we serve."

Staci Gergely, Essex Juvenile Assistant Chief Probation Officer and Ms. Anderson's supervisor, said, "April does amazing work for our community and the families we serve. She is also a Cultural Proficiency Champion. It is very apparent that she puts a lot of time, thought, and care into all of her work. April is committed to the populations and areas we serve. She is engaged in the community and takes pride in her service. I am very thankful for April's contribution to our team in Lynn!."

"Being born and raised in Lynn, it is an honor to be featured on the local Black Excellence wall at Lynn City Hall," said Ms. Anderson.

A six-year Probation Officer, she is widely known for giving back to the courts and community. Ms. Anderson led her colleagues in a food and supply drive to benefit the Mayor's Health Task Force in Lawrence. In previous years, she has also coordinated a personal care product drive--including soap, shampoo, shaving razors, toilet paper, and feminine care products--which were donated to the Peabody-based Citizens Inn/Haven From Hunger. Ms. Anderson was also a leader in stocking the "Community fridge," as part of the Lynn Community Fridge Project in Lynn which is described as a "mutual aid project that serves the community by providing clean, healthy, and free food options." 

Ms. Anderson is a graduate of American International College in Springfield where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. She is also a member of the Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. sorority. Delta Sigma Theta is a historically African-American sorority founded by college-educated women dedicated to public service.

The Massachusetts Probation Service is a department of the Massachusetts Trial Court. MPS staffs 105 separate Probation offices--which represent five different court divisions across the Commonwealth. They include District, Boston Municipal, Superior, Juvenile, and Probate & Family courts. MPS also includes the Office of Community Corrections and the Massachusetts Trial Court Community Service Program.