Michigan City Exchange Club
&
Dunebrook Prevent Child Abuse of LaPorte County
Child Abuse Intervention Award
The Michigan City Exchange Club and Prevent Child Abuse of LaPorte County, Dunebrook, proudly recognize an individual that demonstrates the desire and ability to protect our children from the dangers of child abuse and neglect. This ceremony is an annual event during the month of April to recognize a person in LaPorte County performing an extremely important job, which often goes unnoticed but certainly not unappreciated.
2011 Recipient- Karen Biernacki
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) is a program that provides volunteers who devote themselves to speaking for children who have become victims at the hands of adults. CASA volunteers are the voice for the child, representing his or her best interest.
When Karen was taking a social work class at PNC in 1989 her research led her to the National CASA Organization and the concept of utilizing volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children. This led to her present day position and life’s work with CASA. She received a degree from Indiana University in 1999 and in that same year became the first Director of the LaPorte County agency.
Karen coordinates 235 volunteers who represent 1600 children. Additionally, she oversees Harmony House, which provides supervised visitations and monitored exchanges in three different locations. She is a member of the Child Abuse Advisory Team, Family Court Advisory Board, the Domestic Violence Task Force, Women in Management, Kiwanis, and the League of Women Voters.
In addition to her work with CASA LaPorte County, she is a commission member for GAL/CASA Advisory Commission to the Indiana Supreme Court, serving as the Chairman on the Public Relations and Legislative Committees. Karen has also been appointed to the Indiana Commission on Abused and Neglected Children and Their Families.
From the beginning, Karen has been an outstanding advocate for children and a loud and clear voice for the children of LaPorte County and the State of Indiana.
Karen and her husband Lou have been married for 32 years and are the proud parents of Jacob, Jessica, and Becca.
Past Recipients
2010- Jennifer Lynn McDonald….. Indiana State Police Trooper Detective
2009- Michigan City Exchange Club Recognition
2008- Steve King….. Former Judge of Superior Court II
2007- Kris Pate….. Formerly of Dunebrook
2006- Mary Hewitt….. Indiana State Police Investigator
2005- Connie Van Slyke….. LaPorte County Child Protective Services Investigator
2004- Adam Klimczak….. LaPorte City Police Department
