Summer, 2019
Welcome to Cristina Connections
Honoring our Partners in the Cristina Network
There are among us some who have taken on a special obligation. They are the pathfinders in a very dark landscape who become a guide to help girls and women who are trapped inside find a pathway out of the darkness. One of these pathfinders is Dr. Lois Lee, founder of Children of the Night . (Her Ph.D. is in Sociology).

Children of the Night is a privately funded non-profit organization established in 1979 and dedicated to rescuing America’s children from the ravages of prostitution. Some are as young as 11 years old.There is no fee for their services. Children are referred by police from across the nation. Girls also call their hotline for help. For many years the organization managed a residential program that provided them with multiple services, including schooling and case management. Bad home life, exploitation and other causes are “fueling the fire,” Dr. Lee noted. Their work is to rescue children and young people from the grip of prostitution and sexual exploitation, an area that is greatly underserved. Since their founding, Children of the Night has rescued more than 10,000 people from prostitution in the United States. This is more than all other sex trafficking programs combined. There are many alumni who keep in touch with them.
As Children of the Night celebrates its 40th anniversary, they are developing a new trailblazing  program that provides intervention for young people no matter where they live throughout the United States. It addresses the specialized treatment and education that is needed by them so they can escape their life on the streets.

As is noted on their website , children are provided access to a suite of services ranging from shelter referrals, medical services, mental health services, transportation, placement in independent living programs, transitional housing, maternity homes, substance abuse programs and online educational tutoring. Their 24/7 hotline is (800) 551-1300.

To date, because of Children of the Night's presence in their lives, 70% of the young people whose lives they touched are leading successful adult lives across various careers.
Helping an individual break through the cycle of poverty and become economically self sufficient is what Career Collaborative  works to achieve every day for people in the Greater Boston, MA area. Susan Yule, President and CEO describes their unique workforce model that not only helps people build a career path but provides assistance to their clients for two years following their job placement.

”We work with about 500 people a year. We do not charge any individual for our service. It is 100% free to the participants. Our work is supported by donor dollars who are pleased with the fiduciary responsibility about the dollars they contribute to our program.” Clients often are immigrants and refugees getting adjusted to a new country and they need to learn how to redirect their skills. Others might be clients who come from diverse backgrounds and have been unemployed or underemployed. They are between 19 and 55 years old. Many have children. All are adults that do not know how to get jobs with career potential and they do not understand workplace norms. They are seeking full-time permanent jobs and to strengthen their families.
Intervention by Career Collaborative includes intensive formal classes on job readiness followed by one to one coaching. Many sessions are devoted to help clients develop a proper resume, and then engage in lots of practice of interview skills with volunteers who guide the participants through the process. They are also taught financial literacy. Importantly, once they have found a job, individuals are provided with two years of free follow up to assure their success in the work situation. Economic impact is transforming for clients and their families. 70% of those who have completed the program have been able to increase their incomes considerably and to gain training in fundamental skills for building a productive career path.
What do graduates say about Career Collaborative? “They are like my family.” “My life is transformed .” “If it wasn’t for you guys, I would have never gotten the job. I am very happy.” “Career Collaborative changed my life.”
What value can you place on nonprofit organizations who help people acquire skills to help them learn to believe in themselves as people with abilities and capable of being productive workers and providers to their families? Their work is not just a helping hand. Its social impact is far greater than that.

We at National Cristina Foundation think their value is beyond measure. Indeed incalculable! It is work that preserves the fabric of our society.
[ 203.863.9100]   [info@cristina.org]  [ www.cristina.org]