Deirdre’s House in Morristown, the child advocacy center for Morris County, has recently been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Ed Block Courage Foundation, through the foundation’s ties to the National Football League and the Florham Park-based New York Jets.

It was attended by members of the Jets, the Foundation, Deirdre’s House, Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, and members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit.

The money will be used for the Deirdre’s House advocacy and outreach programs and the clinical counseling program.

“The Jets organization has been a long-standing partner of Deirdre’s House,” said Maria Savettiere, executive director of Deirdre’s House. By designating Deirdre’s House as the Jets’ official Ed Block Courage Award Foundation House, the Jets have strengthened their commitment to help Deirdre’s House continue to provide vital services to child victims of abuse and neglect.”

The Ed Block Courage Award Foundation (www.edblock.org) is dedicated to supporting the well-being of abused, neglected and at-risk children through its Courage House National Support Network for Kids. Through a partnership with the NFL, the foundation cultivates awareness at each designated Courage House and helps to raise funds for their programs and initiatives.

The goal, according to the organization, is to break the cycle of abuse and neglect and to lay the foundation for generations of safe and nurturing families.

Deirdre’s House commemorated its 20th anniversary earlier this year as a safe haven in Morris County for youngest victims of sexual and physical abuse. The event was attended by the family of the late Freeholder Jim O’Brien and his wife Georgia, who were instrumental in creating the center.

After the 1982 murder of their 25-year-old daughter, Deirdre O’Brien, the Mendham Township couple devoted themselves to the plight of crime victims, and brought special attention to the need for the protection of Morris County’s youngest victims with the 1996 opening of Deirdre’s House, across from the Morris County Courthouse in Morristown.

Since 1996, Deirdre’s House has provided services to more than 26,000 children. For more on Deirdre’s House, visit: https://www.deirdreshouse.org/