On April 4, 2024, Children’s Home Society of New Jersey (CHSofNJ) honored James Burke, President of the Burke Foundation, for his vision and leadership in advancing community and care for children and families.
The event, “One Way or Another,” marked the 130th anniversary of CHSofNJ and also honored music legend Debbi Harry, who shared her CHSof NJ adoption story.
James was recognized for the invaluable support the Burke Foundation has provided to CHSofNJ and its pioneering work to advance doula care to improve maternal and child outcomes.
“James Burke has been with CHSofNJ every step of the way in creating a community doula program that is led by the community, provides quality jobs for doulas, and follows evidence-based practices,” said Karen Courtney, Chief Operating Officer of CHSofNJ. “Mr. Burke’s leadership has created a fertile environment for doula care to thrive statewide and the Burke Foundation has awarded an additional $500,000 to significantly expand our organization’s doula services to improve birth outcomes in the City of Trenton.”
In accepting the honor, Burke expressed his gratitude for the recognition and shared his admiration for organizations like the Children’s Home Society of New Jersey that put “their hearts and souls into supporting children and families.” He outlined the Burke Foundation’s commitment to supporting children and families during the first 1,000 days from pregnancy through the age of two.
“This critical window offers an unparalleled opportunity to build a nurturing and healthy future for children and families. During those first 1,000 days, a baby is forming more than 1 million neural connections a second – it’s more than any other time in life,” he said. “And it’s exactly the time we should be supporting the parents and babies to make sure a family has the best start possible.”