News
Recent Foundation News
Spring-Summer 2009
Fr. Jim Memorial Fund's Current work:
The Ladder Project:
The Ladder is the first certified halfway house for men in Bergen County. It was Father Jim's request that we continue to assist the Ladder Project in their mission in whatever way we could.
The mission of the Ladder Project program is to provide homeless men a safe, supervised, substance-free living environment that is supportive of full recovery from alcoholism and/or drug addiction, and the return of the individual as a productive member of society.
Through your generosity, the Fund has been able to purchase audio-visual equipment and supporting educational recovery DVDs as well as furniture for the Ladder Project.
Eva's Village:
We were also able to make a contribution to Eva's Village. Eva's Village is a non-profit, comprehensive, social service agency. Their mission is to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, treat the addicted, and provide medical care to the poor with respect for human dignity of each individual. Eva's Village feeds over 400 homeless and working poor each day in their shelters.
Guest House:
Guest House is a nonprofit, charitable organization dedicated to the treatment of Catholic priests, deacons, brothers, seminarians and (since 1994) women religious with alcoholism, other chemical dependencies and related problems. It was at Guest House that Father Jim started his journey of recovery. Treatment is not denied to any of these men or women who are experiencing difficulties and related issues because of inability to pay.
Through your generosity a permanent named endowment, the "Father Jim McKenna Memorial" in honor of Father Jim, has been established that will help Guest House continue their mission in helping to bring recovery to those clergy suffering from alcoholism.
April 19th, 2009
It was a wonderful evening, terrific fellowship and great deal of thanks needs to go around to everyone for your loving support and your extremely generous donations. It was a huge success.
Congratulations are in order. We are happy to announce the winners for the Third Annual Beefsteak Dinner held on April 18, 2009. We sold 348 raffle tickets and remember you wanted to have your number picked last.
- The first number pulled won $100 - Bob Fury
- The 50th number pulled won a Cookies by Design gift basket - Karen Martin
- The 100th number pulled won $100 - Mike & Suzanne Bloom
- The 150th number pulled won a Spa Package - Ann Leach
- The 200th number pulled won $100 - John & Bunny Cangelosi
- The 250th number pulled won a one night stay for two at the Wellington Hotel in NYC - John & Monica McDermott
- The 300th number pulled won 2 tickets to Late Night with Jimmy Fallon - Gloria Vadovic
- Third Place prize, the 346th number pulled won $200 - Michael Cochran
- Second Place prize, the 347th number pulled won $300 - George Schmedes
- The 50/50 winner, played by only those folks in attendance won $880
- AND THE WINNER, the 348th number pulled won $5,000 - MICHAEL COCHRAN (Congratulations Michael, you won the first and third place prizes, a first)
We also announced at the dinner this evening the launch of our new website and a link to our group on Facebook and also a link that will allow you to follow us on Twitter.
April 18th, 2009
All are welcome to the Third Saturday Liturgy: A Special Memorial Mass to celebrate the life of Father Jim. Join Monsignor Reverend Larry Cull, his family and friends on Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 12 Noon at St. Paul R.C. Church, 200 Wyckoff Avenue, Ramsey, NJ 07446. Following the Mass, you're invited to visit and pray with us at his final resting place.
April 10th, 2009
We have begun work with The Center for Drug and Alcohol Resources. The Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources has a program called CHAT (creating healthy attitudes in teens) which is a support group for first time teen offenders of alcohol or drug arrests. This year they are expanding the CHAT program to include a support group for parents of first time teen offenders. The Fr. Jim McKenna Memorial Fund will be helping this program by donating the funds to rent a space for them to meet and by supplying refreshment for the group meetings.
