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Our History
Co-Founded by Mr. Charles Crittenton, and Dr. Kate Waller Barrett
A Brief Background
Justice + Joy, formerly National Crittenton, was co-founded by Charles Crittenton and Dr. Kate Waller Barrett. Rooted in a social justice mission, their work focused on securing equal rights for women and girls, to support their families, and achieve self-determination. They believed that addressing social issues effectively required action tailored to the unique culture, needs, and context of each local community. They also recognized that local organizations would be stronger by collaborating with sister organizations, creating a network to drive meaningful social change.
In 1898, their advocacy led to the establishment of the National Florence Crittenton Mission. It became the first charitable organization formed under a Congressional Charter, serving as a national umbrella to unite Crittenton agencies. Since then, the Crittenton family of agencies has been dedicated to supporting the needs and potential of girls and young women across the country.
Aligning Our Work for the 21st Century
Justice + Joy’s trustees of National Crittenton made the decision in 2006 to leave the auspices of the Child Welfare League of America to sharpen its focus on elevating the needs and potential of girls, young women, and families affected by violence and childhood adversity.
A Rich Legacy of Connections
If you’re looking to reconnect with family members or others you met through a Crittenton agency—such as friends or colleagues—reach out to the Florence Crittenton Home Reunion Registry. Since 2022, Justice + Joy has partnered with the Registry, and all information previously shared through the Crittenton Connections portal on this website has been transferred to the Registry.
Timeline
Milestones
2024
Fixing Democracy
In response to rollback of hard-won policies protecting reproductive and gender-affirming health care; culturally-responsive, inclusive education; and affirmative action in 2022- 2024, Fixing Democracy, a youth-led initiative, works to create a just, representative democracy.
2024
Justice+Joy’s Rapid Response Fund
Justice + Joy’s Rapid Response Fund was created to support and organize an intergenerational working group to put resources in the hands of young people to increase awareness and/or galvanize their friends, families, and communities around an identified/prioritized timely issue.
2023
Envisioning New Structures Research Fellowship partnership w/NYU
Justice + Joy’s first research fellowship, Envisioning New Structures Project highlights the fellows’ vision for change to create structures that support their healing and holistic well-being based on research conducted by the fellows.
2023
New name: Justice + Joy National Collaborative
After 140 years of operation, using some form of National Crittenton as our DBA name, the organization changed its name to the Justice + Joy National Collaborative stating their values, identity, and role of advancing gender and racial/ethnic justice with and for girls and gender-expansive young people of color.
2022
2022 Reproductive Freedom Fund in response to the overturn of Roe v. Wade
In response to the overturn of Roe v. Wade, the Reproductive Freedom Fund was launched to support and address barriers to access reproductive care, which includes abortion.
2020
In response to COVID-19, the economic crisis and social uprisings, National Crittenton and the National Young Women’s Initiatives host 16 regional youth-led, In Solidarity Conversations with cis and trans young women and gender-expansive young people of color.
2019
National Crittenton supports young mothers from seven states in the formation of IMPACT (Invincible Mamas Pushing for Action and Change Together) National Advocacy Alliance.
2018
Successfully advocated for the inclusion, Families First Prevention Services Act, of expectant and parenting youth as an eligible population for prevention services and residential care.
2017
The first In Solidarity We Rise: Healing, Opportunity and Justice for Girls gathering is held in Washington, D.C. The second gathering is held in 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. Charles Crittenton and Kate Waller Barrett’s families are both represented on the Board of Trustees for the first time since 1909.
2014
Successfully advocated for the inclusion in the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act of the unprecedented requirement for states to report the numbers of expectant and parenting youth in foster care.
2013
National Crittenton creates and operates the OJJDP National Girls Initiative focusing on catalyzing change for girls in and at-risk of entering the juvenile justice system across the country.
2011
The first administration of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) survey is conducted in 18 Crittenton agencies in 17 states with more than 1,000 participants. Data provides the foundation for a Hill event on ACEs and young mothers in 2012.
2010
TNCF and Rights4Girls co-found the Girls at the Margin National Advocacy Alliance as an affiliation of local, state, and national organizations and advocates working across systems to address the complex issues confronting girls and young women.
2008
TNCF, Crittenton agencies and young women leaders launch their return to national advocacy in Washington, D.C., working together to advance justice for system-impacted girls and young women in communities across the country.
2007
Marks the launch of the re-invention of the organization as The National Crittenton Foundation (TNCF) with full-time staff and a home office in Portland, Oregon.
2006
The National Florence Crittenton Mission leaves the auspices of the Child Welfare League of America to re-envision itself and to invest in girls and young women.
1976
FCAA merges with Child Welfare League of America (CWLA). The National Florence Crittenton Mission continues to provide financial support to the Crittenton division of the CWLA.
1950
Florence Crittenton Association of America (FCAA) is founded as the professional association for Crittenton agencies.
1914
Seventy-eight agencies exist in five countries: United States, Mexico, France, Japan, and China.
1898
A special act of Congress signed by President McKinley grants a national charter to the National Florence Crittenton Mission. This charter is amended in 1903.
1893
Dr. Kate Waller Barrett joins Charles N. Crittenton as the driving force behind the establishment and expansion of the Crittenton social welfare movement.
1893
Mr. Crittenton purchased and boarded the ‘Good News’ Train to travel across the country, catalyzing local support for girls, young women, and women in need and donating funds for the creation of Crittenton homes across the country.
1883
Charles N. Crittenton opens the Florence Night Mission in New York City on April 19, 1883. The ‘Mother Mission’ is dedicated to serving only women and girls.
In response to rollback of hard-won policies protecting reproductive and gender-affirming health care; culturally-responsive, inclusive education; and affirmative action in 2022- 2024, Fixing Democracy, a youth-led initiative, works to create a just, representative democracy.
2024
Fixing Democracy
Justice + Joy’s Rapid Response Fund was created to support and organize an intergenerational working group to put resources in the hands of young people to increase awareness and/or galvanize their friends, families, and communities around an identified/prioritized timely issue.
2024
Justice+Joy’s Rapid Response Fund
Justice + Joy’s first research fellowship, Envisioning New Structures Project highlights the fellows’ vision for change to create structures that support their healing and holistic well-being based on research conducted by the fellows.
2023
Envisioning New Structures Research Fellowship partnership w/NYU
After 140 years of operation, using some form of National Crittenton as our DBA name, the organization changed its name to the Justice + Joy National Collaborative stating their values, identity, and role of advancing gender and racial/ethnic justice with and for girls and gender-expansive young people of color.
2023
New name: Justice + Joy National Collaborative
In response to the overturn of Roe v. Wade, the Reproductive Freedom Fund was launched to support and address barriers to access reproductive care, which includes abortion.
2022
2022 Reproductive Freedom Fund in response to the overturn of Roe v. Wade
In response to COVID-19, the economic crisis and social uprisings, National Crittenton and the National Young Women’s Initiatives host 16 regional youth-led, In Solidarity Conversations with cis and trans young women and gender-expansive young people of color.
2020
National Crittenton supports young mothers from seven states in the formation of IMPACT (Invincible Mamas Pushing for Action and Change Together) National Advocacy Alliance.
2019
Successfully advocated for the inclusion, Families First Prevention Services Act, of expectant and parenting youth as an eligible population for prevention services and residential care.
2018
The first In Solidarity We Rise: Healing, Opportunity and Justice for Girls gathering is held in Washington, D.C. The second gathering is held in 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. Charles Crittenton and Kate Waller Barrett’s families are both represented on the Board of Trustees for the first time since 1909.
2017
Successfully advocated for the inclusion in the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act of the unprecedented requirement for states to report the numbers of expectant and parenting youth in foster care.
2014
National Crittenton creates and operates the OJJDP National Girls Initiative focusing on catalyzing change for girls in and at-risk of entering the juvenile justice system across the country.
2013
The first administration of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) survey is conducted in 18 Crittenton agencies in 17 states with more than 1,000 participants. Data provides the foundation for a Hill event on ACEs and young mothers in 2012.
2011
TNCF and Rights4Girls co-found the Girls at the Margin National Advocacy Alliance as an affiliation of local, state, and national organizations and advocates working across systems to address the complex issues confronting girls and young women.
2010
TNCF, Crittenton agencies and young women leaders launch their return to national advocacy in Washington, D.C., working together to advance justice for system-impacted girls and young women in communities across the country.
2008
Marks the launch of the re-invention of the organization as The National Crittenton Foundation (TNCF) with full-time staff and a home office in Portland, Oregon.
2007
The National Florence Crittenton Mission leaves the auspices of the Child Welfare League of America to re-envision itself and to invest in girls and young women.
2006
FCAA merges with Child Welfare League of America (CWLA). The National Florence Crittenton Mission continues to provide financial support to the Crittenton division of the CWLA.
1976
Florence Crittenton Association of America (FCAA) is founded as the professional association for Crittenton agencies.
1950
Seventy-eight agencies exist in five countries: United States, Mexico, France, Japan, and China.
1914
A special act of Congress signed by President McKinley grants a national charter to the National Florence Crittenton Mission. This charter is amended in 1903.
1898
Dr. Kate Waller Barrett joins Charles N. Crittenton as the driving force behind the establishment and expansion of the Crittenton social welfare movement.
1893
Mr. Crittenton purchased and boarded the ‘Good News’ Train to travel across the country, catalyzing local support for girls, young women, and women in need and donating funds for the creation of Crittenton homes across the country.
1893
Charles N. Crittenton opens the Florence Night Mission in New York City on April 19, 1883. The ‘Mother Mission’ is dedicated to serving only women and girls.
