“We first took at look at our buildings and facilities to make sure they were designed to keep kids safe.” The words came from Ju’Riese Colón, the then National Vice President of Child & Club Safety for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in 2018. In those days, Ju’Riese had been on the headlines as the key figure to bring changes in the system, specifically in taking up measures to minimize the fangs of abuse to the boys and girls. However, in the next seven years, things have gone through several changes. Such as, Ju’Riese rose to fame as the CEO of the U.S. Center for SafeSport. Her leadership earned accolades, and there had been hopes to see changes in the field she was working in. However, the tune broke on April 22, 2025, when she was ousted from her position in the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
The removal was abrupt, and the change was unexpected. However, by the decision, the authority put an end to a 6-year tenure that had once started with the target of making the institute a prominent one. But at this juncture, the question might be who Ju’Riese Colón actually is and what led to the current situation. Let’s get the scoop behind these questions.
Who is Ju’Riese Colón?
Ju’Riese Colón is a passionate and experienced child advocate who has dedicated her career to protecting children and empowering families. With over 15 years at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), Ju’Riese served as the Executive Director of Prevention & Outreach, where she led national programs focused on child abduction prevention and the fight against sexual exploitation. Under her leadership, NCMEC’s educational initiatives reached children, families, schools, law enforcement, and communities across the country. She also served as the National Vice President of Child & Club Safety for Boys & Girls Clubs of America, where she played a pivotal role in creating safer environments for millions of young people.
Additionally, In this national leadership role, she was responsible for developing and driving child safety strategies across more than 1,100 Boys & Girls Clubs organizations and nearly 4,300 Club locations nationwide—including those on Native lands and military bases. Overall, Ju’Riese led the charge in strengthening safety policies, enhancing staff training, and building a culture of accountability that prioritized the well-being of every child who walked through a Club’s doors. Her work empowered local organizations to meet the highest standards of child protection, ensuring safe spaces where kids could learn, grow, and thrive.
A proud alumna of Virginia Commonwealth University, Ju’Riese Colón holds degrees in Criminal Justice and Spanish. She also studied at the Proyecto Lingüístico Francisco Marroquín in Antigua, Guatemala, further enhancing her ability to engage with multicultural audiences and communities.
The report is developing…
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