[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 61 (Thursday, April 17, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S3141]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL CRITTENTON FOUNDATION

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, today marks the 125th anniversary of The 
National Crittenton Foundation, the nationwide organization that 
supports empowerment, self-sufficiency, and an end to cycles of 
destructive behavior and relationships by at-risk girls and young 
women. The organization began as the National Florence Crittenton 
Mission, founded in 1883 by 19th century philanthropist Charles 
Crittenton of New York City a year after his daughter Florence died at 
the age of 5. His goal was to assist girls and young women in trouble, 
and in the years that followed, Florence Crittenton Homes became famous 
in communities across the United States and in foreign countries as 
well.
  One of the leading members of the Foundation today is the Crittenton 
Women's Union in Boston, which began as a Florence Crittenton Home in 
the city in 1896. It was launched by a pioneering group of women 
activists who wanted it to be a ``big sister'' to ``unfortunate New 
England girls'' young unmarried mothers in need of shelter and moral 
guidance.
  In the years that followed these two organizations joined forces and 
combined with other organizations to create the Crittenton Women's 
Union, which today empowers low-income women in our city by providing 
safe housing, caring support services, education, and workforce 
development programs.
  In addition to using its on-the-ground experience to shape public 
policy and achieve social change, Crittenton Women's Union is also 
Massachusetts' largest provider of transitional housing for homeless 
mothers and their children and the founder of New England's first 
transitional home for victims of domestic violence. The organization 
continues its innovative approach to today's compelling social problems 
through its focus on workforce development and post-secondary school 
training to enable women to become economically self-sufficient.
  Its services are further strengthened by its unique partnership with 
the National Crittenton Foundation, which gathers valuable insights 
from its nationwide network of frontline agencies and provides a forum 
to share best practices and shape national policies to benefit all 
young women and girls at risk.
  Today, 125 years after Charles Crittenton began his historic work as 
a an agent for positive change for young women and girls, Crittenton 
Women's Union and the National Crittenton foundation remain true to his 
vision. I welcome this opportunity to commend the Foundation and its 
extraordinary members on this special anniversary for their continuing 
vision and commitment to their goals in Massachusetts and throughout 
the Nation.

                          ____________________