The R.J. Leonard Foundation is a privately funded nonprofit organization that provides a Fellowship program for young adults aging out of the foster care system in Bucks County and ​Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

​We aim to supply these at-risk youth with tools that will give them the same opportunities
​as their more fortunate peers.

Meet The People Behind RJLF

---

Do you want to learn more?

explore our program

3%

of foster care youth will earn a college degree.

20%

of those who age out of foster care will be homeless.

50%

of those who age out of foster care are unemployed.

It is therefore critical that these young people are given opportunities to reach their goals.

learn more about foster youth

Who You're helping

foster youth in bucks and montgomery counties aging out of the system

March 2021
​featured fellows

sisters

When then 20-year-old Ana opened her door to her 17-year-old sister Heather in early 2020, she was facing a looming deadline. Her 21st birthday in June meant the end of support services through her Independent Living program. As of July 1, 2020, Ana would be on her own financially for the first time. She had thought she was prepared for it, but the COVID-19 pandemic eliminated one of her two jobs and the second - in food service - wasn’t guaranteed either. Nonetheless, she took Heather - a then junior in high school with no other options - in, and the two begin trying to find a way to make ends meet. 
By the fall of 2020, Ana was once again working two jobs and Heather, now a senior in high school, was contributing what she could from her part-time position. Nonetheless, the bills weren’t fully covered and the savings Ana had been so proud of were depleting. 
Because of you and your ongoing support, the R.J. Leonard Foundation was able to help Ana and Heather (both Fellows) cover their monthly expenses while both continued on in school and work. Today, Ana is earning enough money to support herself and her sister, again with help from Heather. Both are a semester closer to their degrees - an associate’s for Ana and high school diploma for Heather, and both have big plans for their future. We could not be more proud of them or more thankful to you.

How You're helping

When I first became a Fellow, I was in a bad space, and was at a major risk of dropping out of college. Here I am now, almost finished my Bachelor’s degree. Everything that the foundation has supported me with from educational scholarships, monthly support, workshops, meetings, etc.—I thank you from the bottom of my heart." - Emily B.

more RJLF success stories

Discover our events

Latest donors

Thank you to our most recent donors for your generous contributions.

Schiel Family Foundation

John Ortolf

Jeffrey Chirico

Elizabeth Thornton

Jennifer Birmimgham

J&J Matching Program

Foundations Community Partnership

Eileen Cucinotta

John Tierney

Sadock Family

Support our mission, join our family and become a donor by clicking below!

Donate Now

STAY UPDATED

​Join our family! Become an active member of our community and
help make a difference to the youth who need our support.

Connect with us

 

Sign up to join the RJLF family and receive success stories, information on upcoming events and other updates in our monthly newsletter.

Sign Up

Powered By Constant Contact

 

Read our latest >