More than 8,400 Massachusetts children are in foster care, and the need is growing as the financial and emotional strain of the Covid-19 pandemic and the state’s opioid crisis continue to take a toll on children and families.
We all need the people in our lives who know us and care about us, who celebrate our successes and comfort us in hard times. These are the people we call when we get a new job, lock our keys in the car or are facing a big decision.
Permanent, supportive connections are especially important in childhood, when parents, coaches, mentors and teachers help children develop their identity and values, help them know who they are, develop their strengths and set goals in their life.
Christina Patts, director of behavioral health and trauma services in Southeastern Massachusetts for JRI was recently interviewed by the Taunton Daily Gazette about how mental health care has changed. Read the full article.
Between 700 and 800 cases of child sexual abuse are referred on average each year to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Bristol County, which provides treatment and support to victims and their families.
JRI is proud to be named one of the Top Ten Companies in all of Massachusetts when it comes to diversity and inclusion. This list was drawn from scores of companies of all sizes and types who were surveyed in 2020. Being on this list is a reflection of the work we are doing, at all levels of JRI. There is still more work to be done, and we pledge to stay engaged and work even harder--but this is truly a cause for celebration.
Check out the op-ed, written by Ed Powell, Executive Director of STRIVE Boston and Vice President of Community Engagement, in CommonWealth Magazine.
JRI, one of New England’s leading social service agencies, has named David Chapin to its board of trustees.
Chapin, a Cambridge resident, is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management who has a history of helping others both as a financial professional and a volunteer. A graduate of Nichols College and a member of its advisory board, he has worked in the financial sector for more than a decade, starting at Bank of America, in Worcester.
Watch this PBS News Hour episode featuring the Susan Wayne Center of Excellence as well as Hilary Hodgdon from JRI.
Jennifer Turner was a voice student at the New England Conservatory of Music when her instructor approached her during a rehearsal.
“You,” her instructor observed, “aren’t in your body.”
It took her a while before she understood what her instructor meant, but when she did, it would change her life.
She took yoga classes, and the body control that yoga encouraged her to heal from her own trauma she still was carrying. It was, she said, “like coming home.”
Do you have a question about JRI services?
Rachel has been a part of the JRI team since January, 2000. For over 20 years, Rachel has been working in the field of human services assisting families with accessing and navigating services. Rachel received her Bachelors degree in psychology and Masters Degree in Public Administration from Bridgewater State University. She was promoted in July 2005 to Family Networks Program Director where she closely worked with the Department of Children Families for 10 years ensuring that children and families received the highest quality of individualized services ranging from community based through residential care. Rachel is very dedicated to helping the individuals she works with and is committed to improving the lives of children and families. Rachel’s passion for creative service programming inspires her in her role as JRI Service Navigator.
