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In November 1997, Camillus, N.Y. residents, Janice and Bruce Grieshaber lost their daughter, Jenna, when she was just 22 years old. Jenna was a nursing student at Russell Sage College and was about to graduate in six short weeks. Jenna's life-long dedication and sensitivity towards others came to a tragic end when she was murdered in her Albany, New York apartment by a paroled violent felon.
Jenna was the victim of the judicial system which set him free on parole. Albany police arrested Nicholas Pryor who had been released from prison after serving just two-thirds of his sentence, in spite of a 14-year criminal record of violence that included felony convictions for robbery and stabbing a person. Jenna's murder became the catalyst for the Grieshabers' crusade to end parole for violent felons.
Their endeavor began soon after Jenna's death. "Jenna's Law" was the focus of New York Governor George Pataki's State of the State Address early in 1998. The proposed law quickly gained momentum and was supported in Albany and throughout the state. Unfortunately, on the last day of the legislative session, it became what the Grieshabers had hoped to avoid; a political bargaining chip. Caught between both the support of the Governor and the Senate, and the politics of an election year, the bill languished on Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver's desk while he attempted to gain even more concessions from an already conciliatory Republican governor and senate. Despite a 58-3 passage in the Senate, and overwhelming support from the Assembly floor, Silver ended the session without allowing the Assembly the opportunity to read the revised version which had passed in the Senate.
After the conclusion of the legislative session, the people of the Syracuse, NY area and the entire state of New York expressed their displeasure to their local representatives and to the Office of the Speaker of the State Assembly. Their voices were heard, and a rare Special Session was called for the express purpose of passing the bill that had become known as "Jenna's Law."
The Grieshabers remain committed to lending their support and energy to those who are in favor of protecting innocent victims. While it is too late for Jenna, it will hopefully save the lives of others, and protect families from experiencing the anguish and agony of losing a loved one.
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January, 2008
Under the direction of Executive Director Janice Grieshaber, the Foundation marks ten years of crime victim advocacy, having served more than a hundred crime victims, their families and supporters since starting operations. The Jenna Foundation for Non-Violence, in its second decade, will now support crime victims through ongoing community awareness and safety initiatives, including our annual coalition work on behalf of the Onondaga County, New York observance of National Crime Victims' Rights Week, and our annual cosponsorship of the NY State Cyber Safety Summit.
September, 2007
Janice Grieshaber is appointed to the national board of Fight Crime Invest in Kids. Recipient of the 2005 national FCIK “Champion of Children” award, Janice joins six other board members from across the country and adds this responsibility to that of New York State co-chair. As a crime survivor and advocate she joins police chiefs, District Attorneys and other criminal justice advocates in supporting research, legislation and programs that protect children and families.
May, 2007
Jenna Foundation executive director Janice Grieshaber serves as co-chair for the annual leadership award reception sponsored by the National Center for Victims of Crime. Held on May 15, 2007 at the Bryant Park Grill in New York City, the event was also co-chaired by Donald McPherson, longtime foundation supporter and ongoing contributor to our "Mentors for Jenna" program. This year the Annual Leadership Award was presented to Montel Williams for his extraordinary leadership on behalf of victims of crime. Through his nationally-syndicated television talk show, Mr. Williams has distinguished himself in the media by treating crime victims with respect and dignity while raising public awareness about the realities of violent crime. This occasion was the first time Janice and Mr. Williams met since she appeared on the "Montel Williams Show" at the time of the historic passage of "Jenna's Law."
June, 2006
Senator John A. DeFrancisco (R-I-C-WF, Syracuse) announced that Janice Grieshaber, the Executive Director of the Jenna Foundation for Non-Violence, has been named the 2006 “Woman of Distinction” for the 50th Senate District. Janice was recognized during a June 20, 2006 ceremony in Albany, New York.
September, 2005
Jenna Foundation Executive Director Janice Grieshaber is named a Commissioner on the Council for the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision, which manages the movement and supervision of adult felony offenders into and out of New York State following their release from correctional facilities.
May, 2005
The Jenna Foundation and Dolphin Technologies of Rome, NY, co-hosted a "Child Cyber Safety Summit" at the OnCenter in Syracuse. Civic and business leaders from across New York State gathered to discuss, learn and develop a plan of action to educate the community and research the complex and ever-growing safety issues concerning children and the internet.
A second event was held in conjunction with the NY State Governor's Office on October 20, 2005 at the Empire State Plaza in Albany. In part inspired by the initiative of The Jenna Foundation earlier that year, the First-Annual Cyber Security Awareness Conference drew hundreds of professionals, educators and community leaders from across the state and country, and featured a short safety awareness play performed for hundreds of elementary school children from the Albany area during the conference.
June, 2004
Awarded through the NY State Department of Criminal Justice Services, the Juvenile Justice Grant will be in effect for the next three years, and will allow the Foundation to expand the "Jenna's Mentors" program in the Syracuse City School District, doubling the program each year of the grant until all fifth grades have had the opportunity to participate. The Jenna Foundation is one of only twelve agencies selected statewide as new recipients of this grant, intended to reduce juvenile delinquency.
November, 2003
The Jenna Foundation moved to new, larger office space in the University Building on East Washington Street in Syracuse, NY.
May, 2002
Victim Restitution Project
We facilitated a $405,000 grant, from New York State to the Onondaga and Monroe County District Attorneys to develop restorative justice programs for victims.
June, 2001
The Jenna Foundation for Non-Violence moves into a new space at 319 E. Water Street, Syracuse, NY. The space, renovated specifically for the needs of The Jenna Foundation for Non-Violence, provides classroom space, counseling rooms and parking. Once again we were aided by our friends and the community in this move. Donations from the Camillus, NY Home Depot, Roberts Office Furniture, Manco carpeting and many, many volunteers have all contributed. Jenna's grandmother, Audrey Wegener, also made a large financial contribution to allow us to move forward in this endeavour. We thank everyone who gives us so much so that we can, in turn, support our community in its quest for peace and healthy children.
January, 1999
The first offices of The Jenna Foundation for Non-Violence open at the State Tower Building, Syracuse , New York.
November 4, 1998
Nicholas E. Pryor, was sentenced today in Albany, New York, to serve 25 years to life in prison. He was convicted of the second-degree murder of Jenna Grieshaber in September. Before Pryor will be considered for parole, he must serve a minimum of 25 years.
September 24, 1998
Nicholas Eugene Pryor was found guilty of brutally murdering Jenna Grieshaber last November by a jury of six women and six men. The jury deliberated seven hours before they returned their guilty verdict. Pryor faces a prison sentence of 25 years to life. He will be sentenced on November 4, 1998 by County Judge Thomas A. Breslin, the presiding trial judge.
September 10, 1998
Jury selection has been completed and the trial for Nicholas Pryor is underway in Albany, New York. The request for a change of venue by Pryor's attorney was denied. The trial is expected to continue for another week.
August 6, 1998
In Albany, New York, Governor George Pataki signed the bill 'Jenna's Law' into law. It will go into effect September 1, 1998. Jenna's Law requires that first-time felons serve at least 6/7ths of their sentence. It also requires that all violent felons will undergo at least 18 months of parole type supervison after their release. At the signing ceremony, Governor Pataki, Attorney General Dennis Vacco, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno and Assembly Minority Leader John Faso stated that the statewide effort to strengthen laws regarding violent felons would continue.
July 29, 1998
The New York State Assembly was called back by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver for a special session to vote on 'Jenna's Law'. As expected, the bill was approved today by a vote of 128-20. Governor George Pataki is expected to sign it into law in early August.
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