CJR

At CJR, we believe every young person should have the opportunity to thrive.  Our mission is to provide the necessary therapeutic treatment, education, and support for young people and their families to promote positive change and transform lives. 

CJR was established in 1904 as a residential program for boys (Connecticut Junior Republic) in Litchfield.  Since then, the organization has grown to offer a broad spectrum of services for boys and girls across Connecticut. CJR's continuum of care includes education, residential, wellness (behavioral and mental health), and community services.

In fulfilling its mission, CJR helps nearly 2,500 children, youth, and families annually.  Young people and families are served at CJR's 10 campus, residence, clinic, and office sites across Connecticut, and through school-based behavioral health and prevention programs provided in more than 30 elementary, middle, and high schools in Litchfield, New Haven, Hartford, and Fairfield counties.  CJR works with children two years of age and up. Boys, girls, and families helped over the past year resided in all of Connecticut's eight counties and nearly 100 of its 169 cities and towns.  Approximately 80% of those served by CJR over the past year resided in the Greater Waterbury area, Litchfield County, and western Connecticut.

Your support through Give Local will help CJR provide the services, resources, and opportunities children, youth, and families need to thrive and build on their strengths, while achieving their potential as productive and contributing members in their homes, schools, and communities.  

Who We Are

The mission of the Connecticut Junior Republic (CJR) is to provide care, treatment, education, and family support services for at-risk, special needs and troubled young people so they can become productive and fulfilled members of their homes, schools and communities. Founded in 1904 as a residential program for at-risk boys in Litchfield, CJR is now a multi-service organization serving boys, girls and families in 11 locations throughout Connecticut. CJR’s continuum of care now includes residential, education, behavioral and mental health services, as well as prevention, and early and intermediate intervention programs provided in Bristol, Danbury, East Hartford, Litchfield, Meriden, New Britain, New London, Torrington, Waterbury and Winchester. During 2018-19, CJR served approximately 1,500 boys and girls and families from nearly 90 Connecticut cities and towns. Young people served ranged from 2 to 19 years of age, with the majority of youth between the ages of 9 to 17 years of age.