Foster To Lead Domestic Violence Organization

Mary-Jane Foster
Mary-Jane Foster .

Two-time mayoral candidate and co-founder of the Bridgeport Bluefish baseball team Mary-Jane Foster has been named new president and CEO of the Hartford-based Interval House, the largest domestic violence agency in Connecticut. Foster most recently served as vice president of University Relations at the University of Bridgeport. Foster has a long history helping victims of domestic violence.

More in this news release:

Cheryl Pytel, Chair of the agency’s Board of Directors, made the announcement today. She said Ms. Foster will formally start her new job in mid-January. She succeeds Interval House co-founder and longtime Executive Director, Cecile Enrico, who retired in the spring.

“I speak on behalf of all members of the Board of Directors when I say we are absolutely delighted to have Mary-Jane Foster as Interval House’s President and CEO,” Pytel said. “She is highly regarded and an ideal choice for us as we strengthen and expand our programs for the many people impacted by domestic violence in the 24 towns we serve in Greater Hartford. As 2017 approaches, we look forward to advancing the mission of Interval House with Mary-Jane’s strong leadership and expertise.”

Ms. Foster–most recently Vice President of University Relations at the University of Bridgeport–is also co-founder and former co-owner and CEO of the Bridgeport Bluefish, a minor-league baseball team in the Atlantic League of Baseball. As managing partner of Bridgeport Waterfront Investors, she co-developed the 5,500-seat ballpark in Bridgeport and was instrumental in the development of the nearby Webster Bank Arena.

Interval House is the largest domestic violence agency in the state. Founded in 1977, Interval House has made a positive difference in the lives of more than 225,000 women, men and children who have experienced psychological and physical abuse at the hands of a domestic or intimate partner. The nonprofit organization strives to prevent and break the cycle of domestic violence by providing victims with access to a 24-hour hotline, crisis counseling, emergency shelter, support groups, criminal and civil court advocacy, specialized services for the children, as well as community education and outreach.

“Mary-Jane Foster is an ideal chief to lead Interval House and its work to respond to victims of domestic violence at critical times in their lives,” said Karen Jarmoc, president and CEO of the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence. “She offers the perfect mix of advocacy and strategic thinking which will be so important to Interval House and all domestic violence providers in the state as we collectively move forward to advance policy and practice to most effectively support victims and their families.”

Foster has been an advocate for providing services to victims of domestic violence since 1989, when she began as a volunteer with the YWCA of Bridgeport and later as a family law attorney. She was instrumental in the founding of the Center for Family Justice in Bridgeport, the first family justice center in Connecticut. She has frequently advocated for increased funds and protections for victims of domestic violence in Connecticut’s state legislature.

“I am honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the Interval House on behalf of the victims of domestic violence and their children and families who need these services so badly,” Ms. Foster said. “It is my privilege to stand with abused women, men and children in their struggle for safety and justice. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work on their behalf.”

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6 comments

  1. Congratulations, Mary-Jane. I met MJF while I was first elected CP. At that time, she was working as an attorney and advocate for domestic violence and children, she loved her work and was a savior to many in that vulnerable position. She went on to do extraordinary work in many other areas of public service, but she seems to have gone full circle back to where she will bring help and hope to those caught in a vicious cycle of hopelessness, it’s her calling. As we’ve witnessed, anyone can capture the mayor’s seat, but few can meet the challenges MJF will.

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  2. Good luck Mary-Jane in this and all future endeavors. You are truly a delightful lady and it has been my pleasure knowing you. We miss you at the Mount so if you can find the time, stop back through.

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  3. Mary-Jane, congratulations on your new task, a task that is truly needed. Domestic violence against women is an unspoken and hidden problem all over America. Too many women are dealing with this violence in silence and are scared to say anything so they live in fear and terror with no place to or no one to talk to. Mary-Jane, I know you’ll do a great job and I also look forward to seeing you at the Mount.

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