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Best Friend Ensures That Advocate's Memory Endures In Teaneck

TEANECK, N.J. — The Teaneck Mayor and Council will dedicate a portion of Chestnut Avenue in memory of Jane L. Fiedler in recognition of her lifelong dedication to helping women and children in Bergen County. 

Jane Fieder (left) with Lesley Nagy, Correspondent of The Better Show and Miriam Bloom.

Jane Fieder (left) with Lesley Nagy, Correspondent of The Better Show and Miriam Bloom.

Photo Credit: Zoe's Place Facebook

“Jane was a champion for women and children, pregnant women particularly in need,” Mayor Lizette P. Parker said, anticipating council approval of a resolution for the honor at its Oct. 13 public meeting.

Miriam Bloom requested the designation for her dear friend, who was 63 when she died of cancer in April.

“There is so much to say about her,” Bloom said. “Aside from the fact that I loved her and she was my best friend, she had a tremendous amount of integrity and strength of character. "She was passionately involved with these young women and she would do anything for them.”

Born and raised in Teaneck, Fiedler had a background was in social work.In the early 1990’s she volunteered at The Bergen County Rape Crisis Center and eventually became the assistant director.

From there she became the program director of Parent Aides for Teens (PATs), a mentoring program for teen mothers, pregnant teens and girls at high risk for teen pregnancy.

In 2003, Fiedler and Bloom founded Zoe’s Place, a non-profit organization whose primary mission was to provide a home and support services for homeless, economically disadvantaged, pregnant girls and their babies.

Six years later, with a grant from Women United in Philanthropy, Fielder opened Zoe’s Cupcake Café on Chestnut Avenue to provide jobs and training for young women as well as funding for what was to become a residence in Garfield.

Zoe’s Place is now run by Children’s Aid and Family Services. The cupcake cafe was sold.

“This is a wonderful tribute to Jane and her work, which certainly will have a lasting impact on Teaneck and all of Bergen County,” says Jerry Binney, the president & CEO of Children’s Aid and Family Services. “She helped countless young women in her lifetime, and her legacy continues to live on at Zoe’s Place.”

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