By Brian Denitzio
News Editor

They call her "Big Mom," says Maggie De Jesus of the young girls who visit her apartment in her Roslindale apartment building.

She looks out for them, De Jesus says, having them over to her apartment and talking to them about relationships and domestic abuse. De Jesus is dedicated to preventing domestic violence and works to that end as a family coordinator at Geiger Gibson Health Center.

For her work at the center, and for her commitment off the clock, DeJesus was this week named the 20th recipient of the Robert H. Quinn Award for community service, given each year at UMass-Boston's community breakfast.

At Geiger-Gibson, De Jesus coordinates domestic violence prevention programs. But her work inevitably continues after the clock strikes five. Whether it's having the young girls in her building over to her apartment to talk, or attending meetings across Dorchester to increase the reach of her programs, De Jesus works tirelessly in preventing domestic violence.

"She is really a hard working, very driven young women," says Joe Sammons, executive director of Geiger Gibson.

The domestic abuse program at Geiger Gibson makes a concerted effort to reach out to people in times of crisis says Sammons, and De Jesus is critical to the program's success in that endeavor.

"She's sort of the fulcrum upon which the whole thing hinges," says Sammons.

De Jesus' dedication no doubt comes from her own experience with domestic violence. As a teenager, she left home to escape an abusive father.

At Tuesday's breakfast, two other awards were given in recognition of continued service to the Dorchester community. Actor Kevin Chapman and local businessman Lee Kennedy were given the Chancellor's Award for Community Service.

The Quinn award named, for former Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and state Attorney General Robert H. Quinn, is given annually to honor those who go above and beyond in giving back to their community. Past winners include Father George Carigg, Joe Chaisson, and Chris Hayes.