ENGLEWOOD, N.J.—The Joan Angela D’Alessandro Memorial Foundation—which honors the memory of 7-year-old Joan, murdered by a neighbor in 1973—continues its two-pronged work, both advocating for victims and legislation, while providing positive and enriching experiences for kids in need.
Ahead of the foundation’s major event—the Joan’s Joy Child Safety Festival in Hillsdale on Saturday, Sept. 28—it worked with Save the Animals Rescue Team, or START II, in Englewood to provide a dozen children with special needs therapeutic interactions with rescue animals.
The kids reside in Youth Consultation Service Robert Davis House in Newark. The group of children ages 6 to 11 arrived at 12:30 p.m., escorted by Keisha Johnson, Lakiba Fuller and other staff members of Davis House.
Everyone received a warm welcome from Marge Kayne, President and Owner of Rescue II, Mary Ann Martin, the organization’s fundraising director, as well as a dozen other staff members.
As soon as the youngsters stepped of their bus, they went straight to the cages of the adorable rescue dogs and proceeded to pet and talk to their new canine friends. A number of rescue cats were also roaming the grounds and available for nuzzling.
Besides the therapeutic interactions with the dogs, the youngsters from Davis House had plenty of other fun activities to delight them. A Rescue II staff member dressed in a giant dalmatian dog costume welcomed everyone to a table where they received coloring books and crayons, stuffed teddy bears, beaded bracelets and gift bags filled with goodies. There was also pizza and beverages and an abundance of snacks.
Rosemarie D’Alessandro, Joan’s mom and leader of Joan’s Joy Foundation, embraced and chatted with each child, along with her sons Michael and John D’Alessandro, who also work to fulfill the foundation’s mission.
During the visit, the foundation donated $1,000 to Rescue II to help promote the work that they do in caring for and finding homes for abandoned pets.
Rosemarie said she strongly believes that Joan’s spirit is guiding her work and advocacy.
The visit on Sept. 7 coincided with Joan’s birthday, and in Rosemary’s heart the day was filled with the joy of putting smiles on the faces of troubled youngsters but still haunted by the loss of her own beloved child.
Throughout the year Joan’s Joy sponsors events with Holly Center in Hackensack to send kids in foster care to Radio City Music Hall around the holidays, and last fall, they sponsored them to attend a Nikki Manx Dance Project event, where they participated in a dance jam prior to the performance.
‘Remember Joan today, so that tomorrow’s children will be safe’
The Fifth Annual Joan’s Joy 2019 Child Safety Festival will celebrate the work that has ensued since the tragedy of Joan’s murder in 1973.
This includes working to keep Joan’s killer behind bars during the parole process, and enacting state and federal versions of Joan’s Law, which mandates life in prison for anyone who kills a child under 14 in conjunction with a sex crime.
In New Jersey, this law was strengthened to mandate such a penalty for victims 18 years and younger. It is not, however, retroactive in Joan’s case.
The free child safety festival will be held near Hillsdale’s train station, where events from 1 to 5 p.m. will include a monarch butterfly release, entertainment and music, more than 20 interactive and education tables, and a tricky tray raffle and silent auction.
Participants will also join hands and stand together for child safety and protection.
The rain date is Sept. 29. Visit JoansJoy.org for more information.
— Photos by Hillary Viders
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article mistakenly said participants were victims of trafficking. We regret the error.