Awards

Gold Star Chapter 2026

The FBI Newark Citizens Academy Alumni Association has been proudly recognized as a 2026 Gold Star Chapter for excellence in leadership, operations, and overall performance.

This prestigious designation is awarded by the FBI National Citizens Academy Alumni Association to affiliate chapters that demonstrate an unwavering commitment to advancing the mission and goals of their community outreach partnership with the FBI. It reflects a sustained dedication to high standards, impactful programming, and strong organizational leadership.

This honor is a testament to the hard work, commitment, and collaboration of our board of directors and members, who consistently strive to uphold excellence in all aspects of our work.

We are deeply honored to receive this recognition and remain committed to continuing our mission of serving, educating, and strengthening our community.

• icon March 30, 2026

Gold Star Chapter 2025

FBI Newark Citizens Academy Alumni Association has been recognized as a 2025 Gold Star Chapter for excellence in leadership, operations, and quality performance!

• icon June 26, 2025

Excellence in Community Outreach Award 2024

We are incredibly proud to announce that FBI Newark Citizens Academy Alumni Association (FBI Newark CAAA) has received the Excellence in Community Outreach Award at the 2025 FBI National CAAA Conference held in Tampa, Florida!  This prestigious national award—presented annually by the FBI National Citizens Academy Alumni Association—recognizes one chapter that consistently plans, develops, and implements exceptional outreach programs that reflect the FBI’s mission and priorities.  Our chapter was honored for our impactful and innovative community service efforts in 2024, which helped educate, empower, and uplift diverse groups across New Jersey.

• icon June 25, 2025

Gold Star Chapter

• icon June 27, 2024

Jerry Fogel Community Service Award

FBINewarkCAAA received the prestigious Jerry Fogel Community Service Award on June 26, 2024, for our extraordinary community service in 2023! Presented annually by the FBI National CAAA, this award recognizes an FBINCAAA Chapter that consistently plans and implements outstanding community service projects aligned with the FBI’s outreach mission and priorities. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and support of our incredible members. Without you, this would not have been possible. We couldn’t be prouder to be part of such a fantastic team! Let’s continue our mission of making a positive impact in our community!

• icon June 26, 2024

2022 The Presidential Chapter of Excellence Award

Our chapter (FBINewarkCAAA) has brought home not one but two prestigious awards from the National Leadership Conference held in Boston on June 26-28th. The Excellence in FBI Advocacy and Excellence in Operations awards have been bestowed upon us, and we are thrilled! Excellence in Operations award recognizes the exceptional efforts and achievements in executing our mission effectively and efficiently. It is all thanks to the hard work and dedication of our members. Without your unwavering support, we would not have been able to achieve this incredible feat. We couldn't be more proud to be part of such a fantastic team! Let's keep up the great work and continue to make a difference in our community!

• icon 2022

2022 Excellence In FBI Advocacy Award

The "Excellence in FBI Advocacy" award acknowledges the outstanding advocacy work carried out by FBINewarkCAAA in supporting and promoting the mission of the FBI within our community. It is all thanks to the hard work and dedication of our members. Without your unwavering support, we would not have been able to achieve this incredible feat. We couldn't be more proud to be part of such a fantastic team! Let's keep up the great work and continue to make a difference in our community!

• icon 2022

2021 The Presidential Chapter of Excellence Award

FBINewarkCAAA received two distinguished awards at the 2022 FBI National Citizens Academy Alumni Association Conference held in Norfolk, Virginia. The first award was for "Excellence in Operations" in 2021, and the second was for "Excellence in FBI Advocacy" in 2021. The "Excellence in Operations" award was achieved with the help of our dedicated Board Members and their commitment to maintaining the highest standards in our operations. It recognizes the exceptional efforts and achievements in executing our mission effectively and efficiently. The "Excellence in FBI Advocacy" award, on the other hand, acknowledges the outstanding advocacy work carried out by FBINewarkCAAA in supporting and promoting the mission of the FBI within our community. This recognition would not have been possible without the incredible support and contributions from our generous members, who continually demonstrate their unwavering commitment to our cause. We are immensely proud of these accomplishments and remain dedicated to serving our community with passion, integrity, and excellence.

• icon June 28, 2022

2021 Excellence In FBI Advocacy Award

FBINewarkCAAA received two distinguished awards at the 2022 FBI National Citizens Academy Alumni Association Conference held in Norfolk, Virginia. The first award was for "Excellence in Operations" in 2021, and the second was for "Excellence in FBI Advocacy" in 2021. The "Excellence in FBI Advocacy" award was achieved with the help of our generous members, who never shy away from a challenge and are always willing to donate their time and money to the worthy causes we undertake. FBINewarkCAAA Board Members John Ercan Tozan, Sue Scimone-Bellini, Hassan AbuBakr, Priti Pandya-Patel, and DeAnne DiLeo-Odria were present at the ceremony to receive the award.

• icon June 28, 2022

2020 Excellence in Alumni Driven Outreach Award

The FBINewarkCAAA proudly accepted the award from the National Citizens Academy for the 2020 Excellence in Alumni Driven Outreach, which was helped made possible by the hard work of our members.   Our chapter was also recognized as a Copper Sponsor of the event. Deputy Director Paul Abbate acknowledged and thanked our Newark Chapter for their outstanding work with Chasing the Dragon. National also thanked and acknowledged Edie Peters Liguori, Chapter President and Alumni Member Brian Mecca, for their outstanding dedication and volunteer service with a Certificate of Appreciation.  

• icon October 21, 2021

2019 The Presidential Chapter of Excellence Award

FBINewarkCAAA was presented with the Presidential Chapter of Excellence Award by FBI Newark SAC George M. Crouch Jr This award is given to an FBICAAA chapter, which has exhibited excellence in all organizational aspects: strong partnership with their local FBI Field Office; successful community outreach programs; sustained membership growth; full compliance with all documentation required by the Federal, state, and local entities to be a certified 501(c)(3), non-profit organization; meeting all FBINCAAA standards for professionalism and participation to include attendance at the previous year’s FBINCAAA Leadership Conference.

• icon September 14, 2020