St. Francis Home for Children

Annual Friends of Jimmy Miller Dinner

For over 50 years, Jimmy Miller has been one of St. Francis Home for Children’s most generous benefactors. Born in New Haven and raised at St. Francis Home for Children’s former orphan asylum,
Jimmy Miller began making a contribution every year to St. Francis Home for Children as a young adult. Over time a small group of his friends began donating yearly to the Home too. What began as a small group of Jimmy Miller’s friends several years later turned into over 1,000 “friends” who participate in the annual “Friends of Jimmy Miller” dinner fundraiser event. The “Friends of Jimmy Miller” generous contributions has funded the following items and/or activities: preschool playground; athletic equipment, clothing, summer work program slots for youth; renovating the agency’s on-site beauty salon, spirituality groups; horseback riding; recreational field trips; family support; and educational enrichment.

In the summer of 2008, St. Francis Home for Children proudly opened the “Jimmy Miller Center” at 672 Congress Avenue, New Haven, CT. The Jimmy Miller Center, located in a four story brick building, houses an array of programs that helps vulnerable families; provides short term residential placement and case management support for adolescent boys; teaches high school students in need of like skills instruction, education and career guidance. In the near future St. Francis Home plans on opening the Elm City Children and Families Clinic an outpatient clinic for traumatized children and families. The goal is to make the Jimmy Miller Center a “one-stop” center that responds to the needs of families, youth and children in crisis.

Jimmy Miller’s strong commitment to young people who are struggling economically, educationally, socially and emotionally is amazing and we are blessed by his love and care. From the entire St. Francis Home for Children “family”, we sincerely thank Jimmy Miller, his family and all the “Friends of Jimmy Miller” for making a difference in the lives of children and families.

“Annual Friends of Jimmy Miller Dinner” Tuesday December 6, 2011 6pm at Anthony’s Ocean View Restaurant, New Haven, CT.