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Litchfield Aid of CJR Announces Special Meeting for Prospective Members |
Litchfield -- Barbara White, President of the Litchfield Aid of the Connecticut Junior Republic (CJR), recently announced that the Aid will hold a special meeting for prospective new members and individuals in the community who wish to learn more about joining the Litchfield Aid. The meeting will be held on Monday, February 22, at 7:00 PM, and those who are interested in receiving an invitation should contact Pamela Wilson at the Connecticut Junior Republic (860-567-9423, ext. 251). A voluntary organization comprised of approximately 150 active members, the Litchfield Aid was established in 1911, just seven years after the founding of the Connecticut Junior Republic, for the sole purpose of supporting CJR programs and facilities. Since its formation in 1911, the Aid has raised millions of dollars to benefit the Connecticut Junior Republic, a private charitable organization, and the children from communities throughout the state served by its programs. Every year, members of the Aid approach homeowners in the area to participate in the Annual Open House Day Tour of Litchfield. Five houses are selected based on historic, architectural, or other notable characteristics, including location. A Preview Party is held at a sixth site, creating a festive opening to House Tour weekend. The proceeds of these events, combined with contributions from members and income from other funds, are donated to the Junior Republic to support its residential and community-based care, treatment and education programs for at-risk, special needs and troubled boys and girls. Jerry Ackerman and Janice D’Orio, co-chairs for membership of the Litchfield Aid, urge anyone interested in learning more about the Litchfield Aid and the Connecticut Junior Republic to attend the meeting for prospective members on February 22. “This is a wonderful occasion to meet our members and to learn more about the many opportunities for volunteering that are associated with the Aid and its annual Litchfield House Tour to benefit the Junior Republic,” said Mrs. Ackerman. “Our Litchfield House Tour is one of the largest charity benefits in the region, and among the oldest house tours in the country,” noted Mrs. D’Orio. “Membership with the Litchfield Aid is a wonderful way to become involved in a worthy cause and to meet others in the community,” she continued. Based in Litchfield, the Connecticut Junior Republic was founded in 1904 through the generous bequest of Mary Buel, a town resident who wanted to help children. Today, the Junior Republic provides programs for youth in six locations throughout Connecticut and serves approximately 1,000 children and families each year. The Junior Republic’s current residential programs include group homes for boys in Winchester and in East Hartford. CJR’s Center for Assessment, Respite and Enrichment (CARE), is a short-term residential program for girls in crisis, and is located in Waterbury. This program serves more than 100 girls annually and is a national model for gender-specific programming. CJR’s growing community-based programs serve approximately 800 young people annually and are located in Danbury, Torrington and Waterbury. These programs provide a broad range of services from mentoring for young children and early intervention and preventive services, to intensive home-based therapy for boys and girls and their families. Special, vocational and alternative education programs are provided for boys at the Cable Academic and Vocational Education Center on CJR’s Litchfield campus. Transition and related services, which help students develop independent living skills and successfully re-acclimate to their public schools and communities, are also provided. CJR’s growing education programs served students from five of Connecticut’s eight counties and from 20 towns over the past year. A private charitable organization, the Connecticut Junior Republic is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA). CJR is supported by contributions from individuals, businesses and organizations, and through service contracts funded by the Court Support Services Division (CSSD) of the Connecticut Judicial Branch, the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF), the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS), and by Connecticut’s public schools. For further information, please contact Hedy Barton, Director of Development and Public Relations (860) 567-9423, extension 252; or by email: hbarton@cjryouth.org. |
