United Way of Morris County Events
Past Events

Women’s Leadership Council Rallies Local Women to Help Middle School Aged Kids
Wednesday, November 7, 2007

The Women's Leadership Council (WLC) of United Way of Morris County welcomed Janice Huff, WNBC Meteorologist and Host of Wednesday's Child, as the keynote speaker at their Fall Luncheon held at the Meadow Wood Manor in Randolph on November 7, 2007.

Women's Leadership Council Co-Chairs, Nina McCormack, NewBridges Services and Helen Hallberg, Deloitte and Touche, welcomed 165 women from corporations, small businesses, non-profits, and the community-at-large who attended the luncheon.  

Nancy Eberhardt, Esq., Pro Bono Partnership and United Way of Morris County Kids on Track Action Team Chair, opened the discussion by highlighting some staggering results gleaned from a recent survey of middle school aged kids.  This study revealed that our children are being confronted with pressures to drink, take drugs, have sex, and bully others.  They are engaging in behaviors where they are harming themselves and others and they do not know where to turn for help.

The Women's Leadership Council used this event to officially announce their support of the Youth Empowerment Alliance (YEA) as the focus for their fundraising efforts and advocacy.  By joining the YEA in addressing these concerns facing adolescents, the WLC can utilize their resources to increase the students' sense of safety and decrease the chances that middle school youth will engage in risk behaviors. 

As a passionate advocate for children and community-related issues, Huff applauded the Women's Leadership Council for their commitment to middle aged school youth in Morris County.  Through her work with "Wednesday's Child," Huff has met many troubled and at-risk middle school aged kids whose lives have been significantly improved by having a stable home environment with caring and involved adults.

"Middle school is a critical time in a child's life, when the child chooses the path for his/her future. Having resources and adults to count on can make all the difference," noted Huff.

Amanda Boyadjis, United Way Women's Leadership Council Manager, gave the closing remarks.  Boyadjis encouraged women to get involved and become part of the social change that WLC strives to affect through their work with middle school children.

WLC is a nationwide initiative of United Way which has raised $75 million for communities around the country.  There are currently 8 WLC chapters operating in New Jersey.  They will be coming together for a statewide event on November 29th. 

For more information about Women's Leadership Council, please contact Amanda Boyadjis.