Press Release: Susun Kim Named Executive Director of West Contra Costa Family Justice Center
For Immediate Release
Susun Kim Named Executive Director of West Contra Costa Family Justice Center
Richmond, California
February 20, 2014
The Advisory Board of the West Contra Costa Family Justice Center (FJC) is excited to announce that Susun Kim, Esq. will be the new Executive Director of the West Contra Costa Family Justice Center beginning March 10, 2014. As Managing Attorney of Bay Area Legal Aid’s Contra Costa Office for over nine years, Susun has built a staff of first-rate attorneys while integrating Bay Area Legal Aid as a strategic partner with other service providers. “We are fortunate to have Susun’s expertise in domestic and interpersonal violence and her extraordinary tenacity and leadership” said Devorah Levine, chair of the FJC Advisory Board.
Susun is happy to return to working in the area of family violence as she began her public interest law career representing immigrant domestic violence survivors. “The day I met my first domestic violence survivor client, a new immigrant from China with a broken arm, sitting in my small office, I knew in my heart that I found my life’s work. She taught me what courage was all about and inspired me to fight for her.”
Richmond Police Chief Chris Magnus, one of the key leaders of the FJC’s planning and development, is confident that the FJC will be in great hands: “Susun will bring her clear vision and strategic thinking to building a meaningful and profound public-private partnership to end domestic and other types of interpersonal violence.”
Over the past five years, the FJC has grown from an idea shared by community leaders and service providers into a dynamic partnership. Building on the momentum and good work at an interim location, the FJC recently broke ground on a new permanent facility at 24th Street, Richmond. At this permanent home, Susun will lead the FJC to the next phase, becoming an anchor organization for survivors, service providers and law enforcement agencies all working toward healing and community building. Melissa Caine-Huackabay, who has led the pilot phase, will serve as Operations Director. Melissa’s leadership has been
Susun has devoted her career to developing effective partnerships among community members, service providers and policy makers. She understands how much more impact a true collaborative can create as she successfully developed the Concord Domestic Violence Clinic in partnership with STAND! for Families Free of Violence and Monument Crisis Center, participated in creating the SparkPoint centers, and played a leadership role in countywide reentry and realignment collaboratives.
Devorah Levine
Chair, West Contra Costa Family Justice Center
Advisory Board