2025 Evening of Hope Honoree – Outstanding Service Award
Center for Hope & Safety could not ask for better community ambassadors than Pete and Jackie Miragliotta.
Their lives changed forever on July 6, 2016, when their daughter Michele—a beloved teacher in Rutherford, NJ and mother of three—was shot and killed by her husband. In 2017, Pete reached out to Jeff Forster, who was then the President of Center for Hope & Safety’s Board of Trustees. They shared their story and expressed their desire to make a difference—to raise awareness about domestic violence and the services available in Bergen County so that what happened to Michele wouldn’t happen to others.
Pete joined Center for Hope & Safety’s Board of Trustees in April 2018 and officially began his first term in February 2019. He quickly learned everything he could about its structure, its operations, and his fellow trustees. When Pete was elected President of the Board just one year later, he was more than prepared to take on that responsibility. He began serving his third term in February, and has made an indelible impact over the past six years.
During the early years of the pandemic, Pete was a calm, wise, and supportive presence who helped Center for Hope & Safety face extreme challenges and make tough decisions while also providing emotional support to its team. During his term as Vice-President from 2022 to 2024, Pete helped spearhead the organization’s efforts to develop a new forward-thinking strategic plan. He currently chairs the Governance Committee and is a highly engaged member of the Finance and Development Committees. And as Chair of the Golf Committee, his knack for fundraising and facilitating meaningful connections has been instrumental in making the event a success.
Through it all, Jackie has been by his side. A retired teacher, she has volunteered for gift wrapping and at the thrift shop, and attended events with Pete, year after year. She has joined Pete in speaking with community members and the media to spread the word about Center for Hope & Safety and its work—as well as to seek support for our mission.
The depth of the couple’s commitment has been both visible and powerful. At the “Sip for Safety” wine tastings they organized and hosted in 2022 and 2023, Pete and Jackie’s appearance on stage—sharing Michele’s story simply and honestly—was both heartbreaking and hopeful. They have also shared their story with various media outlets to raise awareness of domestic violence and the services of Center for Hope & Safety.
“Following unimaginable loss, Pete and Jackie harnessed their grief into a beacon of hope, using their daughter’s story to illuminate the many presentations of domestic violence and spotlight the life-saving services offered by Center for Hope & Safety,” said Chief Executive Officer Julye Myner.
It is with our deepest gratitude that we present Pete & Jackie Miragliotta with the 2025 Outstanding Service Award.