Eleventh Annual "Tree Grows in Pleasantville" a Huge Success

First Big Social Event of the New Year Raises $343,886 for JCCA’s Cottage Schools for At-Risk Children and a New Center for Healing Sexually Abused and Exploited Children

Three hundred and fifty of Westchester’s top movers and shakers, including longtime Westchester resident Peter Hauspurg and Benefit Co-Chairs Tema Bombeck and Julianne Cohn Metzger of Chappaqua, Judy Shapiro of Armonk and Lisa Cutler of White Plains, supported JCCA’s fundraiser, “A Tree Grows in Pleasantville.” The event, held on January 9, 2016, benefits JCCA’s Cottage Schools’ programs and services for vulnerable children with serious emotional and family problems and the new Center for Healing Sexually Abused and Exploited Children. The Center for Healing, which launches in February, will provide staff training and cutting-edge clinical and supportive services to the children and adolescents JCCA serves who have been victims of sexual abuse and/or commercial sexual exploitation.

According to Ronald Richter, CEO of JCCA, “I want to thank the Co-Chairs and the entire committee for their enthusiastic support. It is wonderful to see so many participants also volunteer year-round to help our children. We also look forward to launching our new Center for Healing to help traumatized children heal and lead productive lives.”

A highlight of the evening was a presentation by Ashley, who, at the age of 14, was a victim of sexual trafficking. She graduated from JCCA’s Gateways program for young women who have been the victims of commercial sexual exploitation. Ashley explained, “The staff never gave up on me. So I decided to not give up on myself! Today, I am a beautiful, strong woman despite what I have experienced. I am a proud high school graduate, a licensed cosmetologist and I am an advocate against sexual abuse, the sexual exploitation of children and domestic trafficking. I am living proof that change can happen!”

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JCCA provides comprehensive care to thousands of children, young people and families who come from New York’s many diverse communities. Since 1822, we have embraced those who need us most -- abused, neglected and traumatized young people who are struggling with poverty, developmental disabilities and complex mental illness. We also work with disadvantaged Jewish immigrants and with Jewish children and their families in support of Jewish continuity. Our programs include foster and residential care, educational assistance and remediation, case management for young people with mental health challenges and services to families to prevent child abuse and maltreatment. JCCA offers safety, stability and lifesaving support to help our clients transform their lives. In everything we do, we are guided by the Jewish mandate of tikkun olam – the responsibility of every person to make the world a better place.

JCCA, 120 Wall Street, New York, N.Y .10005