A Champion for Families: Cristina Tone Honored by the Government of Peru

Watch our short reel of Cristina’s award ceremony

View our photo album from the event

On Friday, March 6, colleagues, community leaders, and representatives of the Peruvian government gathered at NJCDC’s Rogers Meeting Center for a celebration that was both deeply personal and far-reaching in meaning.

The occasion was International Women’s Day — and the recognition of one of NJCDC’s own.

Cristina Tone, NJCDC’s Assistant Director of Community Outreach, received a special honor from the Government of Peru through the Consulate General of Peru in Paterson. Each year, Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs recognizes a Peruvian woman living abroad whose work has strengthened and uplifted her community. Cristina was selected for 2026 in recognition of her “outstanding social work, community leadership, and ongoing commitment to supporting migrant women and families.”

For those who know Cristina’s work in Paterson, the recognition felt especially fitting.

“It is a tremendous honor to recognize Cristina,” said NJCDC Founder and CEO Bob Guarasci as he opened the ceremony. “And it is especially fitting to do so on International Women’s Day — a day when we celebrate the women whose dedication, compassion, and leadership make our communities stronger and our lives better.”

A Career Dedicated to Helping Families Find Stability

Cristina’s work at NJCDC is rooted in one simple idea: when families are facing crisis, someone needs to be there to help them navigate the path forward.

With more than 25 years of experience supporting families through housing instability, financial hardship, and access barriers, Cristina has become a trusted advocate for thousands of residents across Paterson.

At NJCDC’s Neighborhood Help Center, she works directly with families who are often navigating some of the most difficult moments of their lives — helping them connect to housing resources, financial counseling, emergency support, and other services that can restore stability.

Bob Guarasci put it this way: “Every day, you help countless people navigate challenges that can feel overwhelming — whether it’s housing instability, financial stress, or simply figuring out where to turn for help. You do it with patience, compassion, and a genuine commitment to the people you serve.”

The Heart of the Neighborhood Help Center

For NJCDC’s Director of Community Outreach Eddie Gonzalez, Cristina’s leadership has been central to shaping the Neighborhood Help Center into the trusted resource it is today.

“Twelve years ago, I made what I believe was one of the best decisions of my career — recruiting Cristina to help me build the Neighborhood Help Center,” Gonzalez said during the ceremony. “Back then, we had a vision for what community outreach could look like. Cristina is the one who put the heartbeat into the Neighborhood Help Center.”

Over the years, he has watched Cristina evolve into a leader whose work bridges the gap between big-picture strategy and the individual needs of residents.

 “I tend to look at things from the big-picture perspective,” he said. “But Cristina makes sure that not a single person who walks through our doors ever becomes just a blur within that big picture.”

He described her as “the bridge between policy and people” — someone whose empathy and commitment transform services into real support for families.

“Cristina, you are more than a colleague,” Gonzalez said. “You are a foundational pillar of this community and of NJCDC, and I am personally so proud to stand beside you as you receive this well-deserved recognition today.”

A Celebration of Culture, Community, and Leadership

The ceremony also reflected the deep connections between Paterson and its vibrant Peruvian community.

Guests were treated to a program that highlighted Peru’s rich cultural traditions. Following a delicious catered lunch, attendees enjoyed a series of performances that brought the celebration to life — including a young boy and girl performing traditional Peruvian Marinera dance, vocalist Iselyn Garcia delivering beautiful renditions of beloved songs, and flutist Lito Ramos playing traditional Andean instruments. The performances added a festive and heartfelt dimension to the afternoon, honoring both Cristina’s heritage and the vibrant cultural community that calls Paterson home.

Eddie Gonzalez then welcomed Consul General María Gabriela Porras Alor and Vice Consul María Alejandra Malatesta to NJCDC’s Rogers Center, noting that their presence represented more than a diplomatic visit.

“It’s a testament to the deep ties between the Peruvian community and the community here in Paterson,” Gonzalez said. “For the Peruvian government to recognize Cristina’s work is truly a full-circle moment for us. It reminds us that while our work happens locally — here on the streets of Paterson — its impact resonates far beyond our borders.”

Through its network of consulates, Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs honors women living abroad who play inspiring roles within their communities and help strengthen the bonds between Peru and their adopted countries.

In Cristina, the Consulate found exactly that.

Inspired by the “Invisible Women”

When Cristina stepped forward to accept the recognition, she spoke not about her own accomplishments, but about the women whose experiences have shaped her work.

“I am inspired by the invisible women whose stories resonate with me,” she told the audience. “They motivate me to work tirelessly for those who have been silenced and marginalized, broken and separated from their loved ones.”

 She dedicated the recognition to those women — and to the family members who shaped her values.

“This recognition is for all women fighting for a better world,” Cristina said. “I am proud to stand with you.”

“I want to thank our CEO Bob Guarasci for his inspiring leadership and vision,” she said, along with Eddie Gonzalez, her team at the Neighborhood Help Center, and the many colleagues and volunteers who help serve Paterson residents each day.

Strengthening Communities — Here and Abroad

This recognition is a reminder that community work, done with enough care and commitment, reaches further than any one neighborhood.

Through her leadership at NJCDC — and her involvement with organizations supporting Peruvians both locally and internationally — Cristina has helped build connections that strengthen communities on both sides of the hemisphere.

For those who work alongside Cristina every day, the significance of the moment needs no global framing.

Cristina’s colleagues see the impact in the families she has helped stabilize, the residents she has guided through moments of crisis, and the countless people who have walked into NJCDC’s Neighborhood Help Center searching for help — and found someone who listened.

Bob put it plainly: Cristina’s work changes lives in ways that rarely make headlines.

“Through her work, Cristina has helped countless families overcome obstacles,” he said. “But most importantly, she has helped them find hope.”