RELEASE: March 11, 2005

Previous Screen

National award given to Safe Child Consortium chairman
Commissioner Davy honors New Jersey Resources Chairman Laurence M. Downes

TRENTON – New Jersey Resources, a major contributor to the Safe Child Fund, has received a national award for its longstanding commitment to vulnerable children and families, Commissioner James M. Davy announced today.

NJR, which contributed $500,000 to support the state's historic Child Welfare Reform Plan, has been named by the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) as a 2005 Corporate Friend of Children. The Department nominated NJR, based in Wall, N.J., for the honor.

  NJR Chairman and CEO Downes serves as chairman of the new Safe Child Consortium, which was created by the department to accept corporate and foundation contributions to support reform projects.

“ Larry Downes and his company have been truly a Godsend for us. His heart is in the right place,” Commissioner Davy said, noting that Downes also has solicited more than $200,000 in donations from other corporations. “He has a sincere and long-time interest in supporting children, families and community.”

“We believe that everyone, and every organization, shares the responsibility for our children's well-being,” Downes said. “The time, talent and resources we give to nurture healthy children today will continue to make a positive difference for many tomorrows to come.”

“ We are pleased to present this award to New Jersey Resources Corporation, whose unique and innovative collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Human Services has enabled the state to launch a model program that will benefit thousands of vulnerable children, youth, and families. We encourage other corporations to follow the lead of New Jersey Resources by supporting their state agencies,” CWLA's President & CEO Shay Bilchik said when honoring Downes in Washington, D.C. on Thursday night. Nearly 1,500 child advocates, representatives from Capitol Hill, national child-serving organizations, foster parents, and child welfare professionals from across the country attended the gala.

The new Child Welfare Reform Plan calls for the development of a consortium of at least five corporate and foundation leaders to help develop more services to prevent child abuse and neglect. Under Downes' leadership, the consortium already has more than 20 members.

The Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) is the nation's oldest and largest membership-based child welfare organization. It is committed to engaging people in promoting the well-being of children, youth, and their families, and protecting every child from harm. For additional information, visit www.cwla.org .

###