When it comes to improving the lives of Newark area residents, Broadway House for Continuing Care President & CEO James Gonzalez, MPH, FACHE, LNHA walks the walk, assisting countless victims of human trafficking to obtain housing, warm clothing, and personal protective equipment. A 2018 graduate of the FBI Newark Citizens Academy, he was recently recognized for the third consecutive year with a Proud Patron Award from the organization’s alumni association.

The seven-week program offered by the academy, which is a nonprofit that operates separately from the FBI, is dedicated to supporting the bureau’s mission through trained graduates who serve as ambassadors between the FBI and the community. Edie Peters Liguori, President of the FBI Newark Citizens Academy Alumni Association (FBINewarkCAAA) said, “Jim quickly took what he learned throughout the FBI Citizens Academy classes about subjects such as human trafficking, cybersecurity and white-collar crime and sought to help as many people as he could. His engaging personality, as well as his can-do attitude, make him a pleasure to be around and work with.”

Now an active member of the FBINewarkCAAA, Gonzalez was recognized for his commitment to the organization’s mission with the Proud Patron Award during a virtual ceremony this month.