County attorney recognized for efforts

• Moore recognized

Gordon Moore (second from left) was the recipient of the “Face of Hope” award during Saturday night’s first-ever Southwest Crisis Center’s ’50s- themed dinner and award ceremony at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Worthington. Pictured with Moore are (from left) Laura Shefte, Maria Muniz and Jan Ojinnaka.

Talk about it

WORTHINGTON — The smell of hamburgers wafted through the air while poodle skirts whirled and jean-clad gentlemen chatted with friends — all of which contributed to the success of the first Southwest Crisis Center (SCC) Nobles County Face of Hope recognition celebration Saturday evening at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

According to SCC Director Jan Johnson Ojinnaka, the purpose of the Face of Hope recognition is to honor someone who has provided assistance to the agency and to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and the first recipient was Nobles County Attorney Gordon Moore.

Moore was chosen by the advocates of SCC who work directly with victims and their families.

Moore said the recognition of what he does meant a lot to him, but that he is just one part of the process in prosecuting a domestic violence or sexual assault case.

“I told them that I felt there are a lot of people who are involved, from police officers to social workers to my office staff members,” Moore stated. “I am just one of a group of people, and I certainly couldn’t do it alone.”

Dealing with domestic violence or sexual abuse, Moore said, is something that not many people think about until it happens to them or a family member or friend. An important part of the Face of Hope event, he added, was creating awareness.

During the event, there were displays regarding the evening’s subjects, and at one point there was a candle-lighting ceremony in memory of those who have lost their lives to domestic violence and sexual assault.

“One of those candles was for Samantha Fraga, which hit very close to home for me,” Moore stated.

While he understands that property crimes, especially those that include a violation of someone’s home, can feel very personal, the domestic violence and sexual assault cases are different.

“These are some of the most challenging cases out there,” he said. “They can be very difficult, and need the highest priority and attention.”

Moore said he felt the evening was very successful, and he was pleased to see the level of support that had been given from local businesses.

“(Ojinnaka) got an amazing amount of contributions — some very nice door prizes,” he stated. “There was excellent support from local businesses.”

Moore received a plaque and what he describes as “very generous comments” from Ojinnaka during the presentation.

In accepting the award, Moore spoke of the thanks and praise due to the advocates at SCC.

“They are very instrumental in helping us do what we do,” he said. “From interpreting to checking out background information and supporting the witnesses.”

The theme for the celebration was centered around a 1950s sock hop, complete with poodle skirts and “car hops.” Moore said it explains why he accepted the award wearing black jeans and a T-shirt, a definite first for him.

“It was a lot of fun,” he said. “A very nice night.”

Tags: gordon moore, face of hope, news, worthington