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Dear Supporter, As we reach the end of another challenging year for vulnerable children and families, I wanted to take a moment to thank each of you for all you did this year to advocate for children and to support ACNJ. We started the year facing another state budget gap and a lot of concern about the impact on important programs for children and families. With your help, we succeeded in protecting the most critical programs. We beat back a proposal to cut preschool funding. We maintained enrollment of low-income parents in NJ FamilyCare, the state child health insurance program. And we preserved funding to continue critical reforms of the state child welfare agency. But even more important are the individual lives touched by our success. The 4-year-old in high-quality preschool in Newark who started on the pathway to success in school and in life. The 8-year-old girl who will spend Christmas with her family, rather than in foster care. The teenager leaving foster care who is headed to college rather than a life on the street. Together, we have given these children and thousands like them the chance to grow up healthy, safe and educated. Together, we continue to make a difference. Last month, I was honored by Essex County CASA at its Red Shoe Gala. The theme was “there’s no place like home” from the Wizard of Oz. I thought it was a wonderful metaphor for what we do as advocates. Like Dorothy, the children we advocate for need help along the path, whether that path is the way home or the way to becoming successful adults. It was the people she met along the path – her yellow brick road – who had the brains, the heart and the courage to help her find her way. And that is what each of you do for children through you advocacy. Thank you and best wishes for a warm and happy holiday. Sincerely,
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Advocates for Children of New Jersey |
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