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Every year, you astound and honor us with your generosity to the R.J. Leonard Foundation and our Fellows. Last night was no different. Every ticket, every bid reminded us of how much you support the work that we do and the efforts our Fellows make to launch their lives and careers. Thank you for being our community and our family. We are ever grateful! 
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Schools are meant to be safe places. For youth experiencing instability, violence and neglect at home, schools are often the only safe place. However, increasingly over the years, that safety has come into question with reports of bullying and violence, shootings and more. When children are not only doing but accustomed to active shooter drills, how safe can a school feel?
This week is National Safe Schools Week. Districts may send home newsletters about safety practices and improvements. Children may learn about things they can do to help keep their school safe. But how effective are practices and policies at individual schools when the community and society as a whole is not committed as well? We must all work together to create safe schools. After all, children cannot learn if they do not feel safe.  RJLF’s Heart for Change gala is just two weeks away, with the silent auction opening in one! Do you have your tickets yet?
You don’t want to miss out on a night of great fun, with music by Keith Garner, emceeing from Jay Deppeler, delicious food and an open bar! The silent and live auctions are loaded with lots of amazing goodies from hayrides to dinners out to theater tickets and more! On top of it all, you’ll be helping to ensure that RJLF continues providing quality mentoring, financial assistance and additional support to young people aging out of foster care in Bucks and Montgomery counties. What’s not to love? Get your tickets today and join us on October 27 at the Cedarbrook Country Club. Over the past several months, the R.J. Leonard Foundation has seen an increasing number of our Fellows on campus reaching out to the Foundation for assistance with food. Yes, many have a meal plan, but the cafeteria isn’t always fully open - particularly not through the summer semester, during football summer camp or during brief breaks in the semester. Even when it is open, the offerings may not be amazing. What’s more, meal plans don’t cover those late night cravings when you’re working on papers or mid-class snack attacks. Our Fellows don’t have family members sending them care packages. They didn’t move into their dorm with a bin full of Easy Mac and Ramen, chips and cereal. They are fully reliant, especially when the little money they are able to earn goes to car payments, cell phones and tuition, on what’s available on campus, and what’s available doesn’t always cover the basics.
Off campus, our Fellows are also struggling. After monthly bills, their income is depleted. At the grocery store, the cost of food is enough to limit the shopping trip and/or make subsequent trips through the month nearly impossible. We are increasingly helping to supplement incomes for food, reaching out to community partners for help with food, and referring our Fellows to food pantries. The basics. That’s what our Fellows need right now. If you’re able to help, go to rjleonardfoundation.org to donate. |
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1097 Street Road
New Hope, PA 18938 |