[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5924]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL CRITTENTON FOUNDATION

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 14, 2008

  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in 
recognizing the 125th anniversary of The National Crittenton Foundation 
and one of the leading members of the Crittenton Family of Agencies, 
Crittenton Services of Greater Washington, which also celebrates 120 
years of service.
  Since 1887, Crittenton Services has been proud to serve more than 
20,000 adolescent women in the Greater Washington region with a 
singular focus: to strengthen the ability of teen women to identify and 
achieve their academic, career and life goals.
  The Crittenton Mission was awarded a National Charter through a 
special act of Congress signed by President William McKinley in 1898. 
An amendment to the Charter was signed into law by President Theodore 
Roosevelt, which extended the national Mission into perpetuity and 
provided funds to establish a local agency.
  Dr. Kate Waller Barrett, the pioneering physician and dedicated 
leader of the Crittenton movement played a critical role in developing 
a holistic approach to supporting young mothers and their children. Her 
compassionate approach formed the cornerstone of Crittenton's PEARLS 
program which strengthens young women's ability to set and meet their 
personal and life goals. Today, the agency still awards a Barrett 
scholarship that allows adolescent mothers to continue their education.
  Dr. Barrett's belief that all adolescents need a warm and supportive 
atmosphere also remains an important component of Crittenton's SNEAKERS 
Program which teaches important skills to non-pregnant teens ages 13-
18.
  Building on Dr. Barrett's legacy, Crittenton employs national best 
practices to develop and implement holistic programs that ensure a 
consistent and positive presence in the lives of the teen women it 
serves. Crittenton staff members integrate support, education and 
skills-building into four- to five-year programs individually tailored 
to the needs of each participant. These programs produce measurable 
results focused on three strategic objectives: (1) improve academic 
performance (2) increase workplace readiness and (3) increase the 
adoption of healthy behaviors. These three objectives make Crittenton 
Services a national leader in serving girls and adolescents at risk.
  I am honored to acknowledge Crittenton Services of Greater Washington 
and its long and distinguished record of community service in our 
region as well as its continuing evolution into an effective 21st 
century partner.

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