LifeTies Welcomes Our New Executive Director

Ewing, NJ  — LifeTies, Inc. announced today that its Board of Directors has appointed  Lori Morris, Ph.D. as its new Executive Director.

“The board is delighted to welcome Dr. Morris as its new Executive Director” said Dr. Bryan Baugh , president of the Board of Trustees. “Dr. Morris’ professional history shows her commitment to children and youth at risk, while her vision for youth, skills, external relationships and leadership ability will help to ensure that LifeTies continues to grow and broaden its community and statewide impact.”

Dr. Morris was co-founder and the first Executive Director of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Mercer County, Inc. which was established in 2000. In 2011, CASA of Burlington and CASA of Mercer Counties merged and Dr. Morris was the director for both programs. Under her leadership, the programs became well established in the family court system and over 200 volunteer advocates served over 320 foster youth annually.  After leaving her position in February, 2016, she moved on to two consecutive Interim Executive Director posts at CASA of Union County and Bergen County CASA to assist them with organizational transitions.  She is co-chair of the Mercer County Youth Homeless committee and is a member of the New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect Staffing and Oversight Review Subcommittee. She also served as co-chair of the National CASA Performance Measurement Committee.

“It is with great pride I join LifeTies as Executive Director,” noted Dr. Morris. “I have always admired the work done at LifeTies; throughout their 35 history, they have been cutting edge in identifying and providing needed services for the most vulnerable youth in New Jersey.” LifeTies was the first in the country to open a group home for adolescent youth and their children infected with HIV/AIDS due to unprotected sex.  They were the first in the state to create a home that specializes in serving LGBTQI youth. “LifeTies creates an environment for the youth that celebrates diversity regarding sexual orientation, religion and ethnicity. During the two decades I’ve spent advocating for the needs of foster youth, it is evident that the older youth, especially those with emotional, medical or behavioral challenges are the most vulnerable. LifeTies provides a nurturing, holistic and supportive approach in working with the youth so they can become positive and productive members of our communities. I am thrilled to work with LifeTies’ dynamic board and staff to provide critical services for these youth.”

Dr. Morris holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from Northwestern University and an undergraduate degree from Smith College. Prior to her career as Executive Director, she worked as a Research Scientist at Educational Testing Service, and was a consultant for New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts and Princeton University Center for Arts and Cultural Policy.

 

Women’s Month Celebration:  Thank you to our Sponsors

LifeTies is extremely grateful for our generous sponsors, without your support our annual 2017 Women’s History Month Celebration event would not have been possible. Thank you for all that you do.

 

---

Awarded Grants

 

 

We are honored for being selected as one of the agencies for the, “2016 Safe in Place Initiative:  Generator Program”, by The State of New Jersey Department of Children and Families.

 

 

Novo Nordisk has selected LifeTies for the 2017 “Running for ME:  Fitness for All” grant.

---

Triad House

Triad House, a program of LifeTies, is a 24-hour residential group home for youth ages 16-21 with emotional, medical and behavioral challenges.  The program provides treatment for the youth and their families to achieve their goals.
Click to read more.

Rainbow House

Rainbow House is a 24-hour special needs housing program for female adolescents, ages 12-21, who are medically fragile, pregnant or parenting or struggling with emotional and behavioral challenges.
Click to read more.