Photo caption: Bob Jones, Ph.D., president & CEO, Children's Aid and Family Services with Amani Toomer, wide receiver for the New York Giants, and children in the agency's care. The children received autographed pennants and hats, as well as a tour of the stadium, courtesy of the New York Giants. |
(Rutherford, NJ) September 6, 2007 - Today at a press conference at Giants Stadium, the New York Giants announced their "Touchdowns for Charity" program, a joint effort with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey to raise funds for Children's Aid and Family Services, one of northern New Jersey's oldest and largest regional social service agencies.
A donation of $500 will be made to the organization for every touchdown the New York Giants score during the 2007-08 season. Last year, the team scored 41 touchdowns.
Giants Wide Receiver Amani Toomer and children currently in foster care, most of whom are eligible for adoption through Children's Aid and Family Services, attended the event, along with Larry Altman, Vice President Corporate Marketing and Communications, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey; and Mike Stevens, Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer, New York Giants, and Robert Jones, Ph.D., President & CEO, Children's Aid and Family Services.
"Our kids are the true winners here," said Robert Jones. "Funds raised by the Giants and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey will help our programs to make life better for these most vulnerable and deserving New Jersey residents."
Children's Aid and Family Services is one of the largest, regional nonprofit human services agencies serving Northern New Jersey; for over 100 years this organization based in Bergen County has been striving to preserve, protect and, when needed, provide families to children and adolescents. Motivated by compassion for vulnerable children, young adults, frail elderly and their families, Children's Aid and Family Services provides high quality and innovative services that meet their social, educational and emotional needs.
Based in Paramus, the organization maintains five group foster homes in Bergen County that provide children ages 5to 18 with 24-hour supervised care and treatment, as well as nurturing environments that encourage full participation in local community, civic, and religious activities.
Additional offices are located in Ridgewood, Cedar Knolls and South Orange, and the agency provides services to the Garfield, Hackensack and Midland Park senior centers. The Depot, an all volunteer Gift & Craft Shop which donates its proceeds to the agency, is also located in Midland Park.
Children's Aid and Family Services provides:
- Group foster homes for children and adolescents who can no longer live with their birth family for a variety of reasons, most commonly abuse and neglect.
- Adoptive and foster families for children who continue to heal from the trauma they've endured and are ready to live with a family.
- Housing for young adults aged 18-21 who have "aged out" of foster care and need a place to live while they attend school, begin a job, and become financially independent.
- College stipends, outreach and safety net supports also are provided.
- Nutritional formula and diapers to low-income working parents of children age newborn through 2 years.
- Scholarships to children of working poor parents that enable them to access high-quality educational opportunities, in a nurturing environment, by attending Turrell Child Care & Early Learning Center.
- Clinical Support and coaching programs for children and adolescents to help them make healthy and positive life choices.
- Counseling and guidance for the frail elderly, and their caregivers, to help navigate the services available to them.
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