News  Julie Grady, Training Division Administrative Coordinator, designs "Safe Space" poster for LGBTQIA+ court users

"I want members of the LGBTQIA+ community coming into our offices to feel comfortable, supported and know that they will be treated with respect,” said Ms. Grady who has also led training sessions on “Serving LGBTQIA+ People in Probation” at the Massachusetts Probation Service Training and Operations Center (MTOC) in Clinton.

The poster includes the wording, “This is a Safe Space. Here, We Welcome Diversity in all of its Forms.” Ms. Grady, a Cultural Proficiency Champion, worked with Pamerson Ifill, Probation Deputy Commissioner of Pretrial Services, to develop the language for the poster. 

Ms. Grady, a 4 1/2 year MPS employee, who describes herself as a “proud ally to the LGBTQIA+ community,” is also a member of MPS’ LGBTQIA+  Instructor Team.

In addition to Ms. Grady, the LGBTQIA+ Instructor Team includes: Graham Bengen, Suffolk Superior Assistant Chief Probation Officer (ACPO); James Connolly, Boston Municipal Court (BMC)-West Roxbury Chief Probation Officer (CPO); Amanda Czerwinski, Berkshire Superior Probation Case Specialist (PCS); Emily Day, Essex Superior Probation Officer (PO); Patricia Gavin, Statewide Training Supervisor; Jeanne Govoni, Attleboro District Court PO; Amie Hebert, Franklin/Hampshire Juvenile Probation Officer; Amy Kasprzyk, Assistant ELMO Coordinator; Heather Kennedy-Mitchell, New Bedford PO; Corinn Nelson, Statewide Manager-Victim Services; Patrice O'Brien, Essex P&F CPO; Diane Richard, Lead Program Manager; Rosemary Ford Sliwinski, ACPO, Administrative Supervision Unit; Shelley Sturdivant, Suffolk P&F PO; Brenda Tirado, Hampden Juvenile PO; Nicole Triola, Dudley District PO; and John Walsh, Core Competency Training Manager.