Hillsdale to Dedicate Honorary Street Sign to Joan’s Joy Child Safety Foundation

photo courtesy of Joan’s Joy – The Joan Angela D’Alessandro Memorial Foundation

The Borough of Hillsdale will unveil an honorary street sign to recognize Joan’s Joy, a child safety foundation established in memory of 7-year-old Joan D’Alessandro, whose tragic death in 1973 sparked decades of advocacy and legal protections for children.

The dedication ceremony will take place on Monday, September 7, 2026—which would have been Joan’s 61st birthday.

Honoring a Legacy of Advocacy and Protection

In 1973, Joan D’Alessandro disappeared while delivering Girl Scout cookies in her Hillsdale neighborhood. An investigation led to the conviction of Joseph McGowan, a neighbor and former teacher.

When McGowan became eligible for parole in 1993, Joan’s mother, Rosemarie D’Alessandro, launched a multi-decade legal fight to keep him incarcerated. Her relentless advocacy contributed to crucial legislation protecting victims and preventing convicted violent offenders from returning to communities. McGowan remained in prison until his death in 2021.

Rosemarie founded the Joan’s Joy Child Safety Foundation in 1998. Over the last nearly three decades, the foundation has:

• Championed child protection legislation at both state and national levels.

• Organized annual child safety fairs and educational talks.

• Provided aid to disadvantaged youth, crime victims, and families in need.

• Documented the legal fight and historical case details, including letters written by McGowan during his imprisonment, in a published book by Rosemarie D’Alessandro.

Street Sign Unveiling Ceremony Details

Community members, local officials, and supporters are invited to attend the ceremonial street sign unveiling:

• Date: Monday, September 7, 2026

• Time: 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM

• Location: Intersection of Florence Street and Clinton Avenue, Hillsdale, NJ

• Post-Ceremony Gathering: Light refreshments will be served immediately following the ceremony at 45 Florence Street.

Upcoming Event: 12th Annual Joan’s Joy Child Safety Fest

Later this month, the foundation will host its annual community gathering focused on family safety, awareness, and youth activities.

• Date & Time: Saturday, September 26, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

• Location: White Butterfly Sculpture and Garden (in front of the Hillsdale Train Station on Hillsdale Avenue)

• Admission: Free to the public

Festival Highlights Include:

• Children’s entertainment: face painting, balloon twisting, live music, and a professional dance group performance.

• A memorial butterfly release.

• A giant “tricky tray” raffle featuring 12 eight-foot tables filled with gift baskets and major brand gift cards.

For more information, event details, or to support the foundation’s mission, visit Joansjoy.org, email [email protected], or call 201-664-9140

Tags: Hillsdale NJ, Bergen County, Child Safety, Community News, Local History, Joan’s Joy, Public Safety, Bergen County Events.