Last week, on October 19, I drove up from the Montgomery County, Maryland to attend the R.J. Leonard Foundation’s fourth annual Heart for Change fundraising event in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. I have been working as a writer and editor for the RJLF for a couple months, but this was my first time seeing any of the Foundation’s Fellows, staff, or supporters in person. The experience was well worth the four-hour drive.

Before attending Heart for Change, I of course already knew that the RJLF is dedicated to helping young people living in very difficult circumstances achieve their dreams. I was already proud to play a part in the work.

The stories I heard at Heart for Change, however, drove home just how impactful the Foundation has been in the lives of its Fellows.

These young people already had drive, passion, and intelligence before they ever came into contact with the RJLF. What the Foundation has done, however, is given Fellows the tools to harness those qualities and reach their full potential.

I was especially moved by a point that Fellows returned to again and again: that their time with the RJLF has inspired them to give back in turn, thus creating a positive cycle of social change.

The great Robert Kennedy once said that each time a person “stands up for an ideal or acts to improve the lot of others or strikes out against injustice,” they send forth “a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest wall of oppression and resistance.”

That is precisely what the RJLF is doing.

By Peter Sicher, Content Development Associate for the R.J. Leonard Foundation

See more photos of our Heart for Change on our Facebook page.

Earlier this year, the R.J. Leonard Foundation’s founder Jo Leonard moved into a new role as our Chief Visionary Officer. We recently sat down with Jo to talk about her new position and her thoughts about the future.

How was the transition to Chief Visionary Officer?
It has been very interesting for me. As you can imagine I felt protective about who I wanted leading this very personal initiative. After interviewing a number of candidates for the role I was relieved to find that one of our own was the best candidate for the job. Caitlin has been working with us since our launch, and so I felt very confident in not just her abilities but her passion and commitment. This made it much easier for me personally.

How is your new role as Chief Visionary Officer different than your previous role as Executive Director? How have your tasks changed?
I’m definitely not as involved in the day to day as I used to be, which is lovely of course, as it gives me more time to work on other projects. Beyond supporting the team as they continue with the transition, I’m constantly on the lookout for new ideas that can improve our programs. I am an avid listener to local media broadcasts, which often highlight local social programs that can be of value to our Fellows (foster care youth we serve). For example, we connected one of our Fellows to Zip Code Wilmington, a fantastic coding program. Sam* excelled in the program and now works for a large investment company, earning a salary that gives him a wonderful quality of life for his new family.

What are you hoping to achieve as Chief Visionary Officer in the next year, or maybe in the next month?
I think the year is a better question than the month. It’s hard to be a visionary every day!
Making connections is what I love to do. Uncovering new supporters and new programs and connecting them to the RJLF keeps the organization fresh and innovative, and engages Bucks and Montgomery County residents in a cause that we can all feel great about. We live in a county of disparate opportunities and overall quality of life. When we share our wisdom, effort and wealth with those who have less opportunity than ourselves, everyone wins.
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Longer term? I have a lot of big ideas. We are always on the look out for smart, vibrant board members who love the idea of changing the trajectory of someone’s life for the better. With this new team in place, I am confident the big ideas will come to fruition over the next 5 years. And I can’t wait to see it all manifest!
The vision for the RJLF remains the same. It’s quality over quantity, changing the lives of our Fellows in meaningful ways. Our program’s attention to detail and involvement in almost every aspect of our Fellows’ lives is what sets us apart.
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Meet Jo and Caitlin at Heart for Change, the R.J. Leonard Foundation's largest annual fundraiser!

* Names and identifying information have been changed to protect the confidentiality and safety of Fellows involved in the R.J. Leonard Foundation's programming.

This story was written by the R. J. Leonard Foundation team in cooperation with Miles Hanley, formerly an RJLF Fellow and now an RJLF Board Member. It is a story that has brought Miles Hanley full circle from receiving help from RJLF to now working as a Board Member to offer help to current Fellows.  He is an inspiration to all who know him. Here is his story: 

By the time Miles reached 10 years old, he had lived in four states, constantly relocating due to the instability of his parent’s marriage and abuse within his family. Miles believes he last saw his father when he was between five and seven years old. It was difficult for his single mother to make ends meet as she raised him and his three rambunctious brothers, and when Miles turned 12, his mother became ill, no longer able to care for them. One day child protective services removed Miles and his siblings from their home with only a few minutes to collect their most precious belongings. After a short period of living with other family members, Miles and his brothers entered the foster care system.

Miles shared that after many challenging years in foster care placements, he was accepted to an Independent Living Program, which allowed him to live on his own while finishing high school. “People assume I had guidance and support,” Miles states, but he ultimately guided himself through school and life challenges. “It must have been a sight for other shoppers to see a teenage boy shopping for groceries by himself.”

At age 16, Miles met his future adoptive parents, Chris and Kelli Hanley. “They grew into my parents … my mentors ... They are a huge influence on my life. From navigating school and its complications to getting my driver’s license, Miles said, “they were there for me. After being in foster care, and a broken home, I had no experience of healthy relationships. They were my role models of how men and women should act. Their lessons and their values have taught me about healthy, loving, committed relationships, and how to be a good person in the world.”

​The R.J. Leonard Foundation team is thankful that local "celebrities" Marc Farzetta of CBS Philly, Jennifer Eckfield of The Learning Experience, and ​​Mike Sielski of the Inquirer and Daily News were able to participate in our Celebrity Bartender event at The Other Side, located at Chambers Bistro & Bar in Doylestown, Pennsylvania on August 29, 2018 from 5:30PM to 8:30PM.

Chambers 19 donated 20% of sales to support our mission to educate, initiate careers, and mentor young adults as they age out of the foster care system, empowering them to be free of government assistance for the rest of their lives.” Multiple baskets were up for raffle along with a 50/50.

Images of the event, below:

"​Hello, 
 
Thank you for sending me this opportunity. I sometimes think about how far I have come from dhs, group homes, abuse, homelessness, and being a young parent to almost completing my first step in my education goals--obtaining an RN License (Associates degree) I have had to endure some things and I have also made plenty of mistakes (still make them at times!!), but to know how much support I have is a huge blessing. I know life is filled with ups and downs, but I thank God through it all.  It may not be easy, but I have faith. A lot of blessings have been  coming my way lately. I thank you so much for thinking about me, sharing opportunities with me, letting me know I have support, and always being there for me to help me get to the things that I need in order to be successful. I have such  strong, positive,  and successful people in my corner. Thank you for everything you do and your kindness. You all are amazing people. Have a great day. "

"To the RJ Leonard Foundation:
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I want to write this letter to thank you for the things you have helped my daughter and I with recently.
We are so appreciative of your kindness and thoughtfulness. I always will remember and be grateful for these times of my life. I am at a place of transition in my life by striving everyday to be successful in getting a college degree. I am also working everyday to be a better woman and mother to my daughter. The foundation has helped me when I had no one else. I just want to really thank you for the continued financial assistance that allows me to focus more on school so that I can pass my classes. Also, I want to thank you for the assistance with babysitter costs. One day out of the week, I have to leave home no later than 6 am in the morning and it was really difficult to find a babysitter. With the help of my mentor Pam, I was able to find a trustworthy babysitter to watch my daughter as I go on to school (hospital as a student nurse). This was something that I was worried about, but things worked out well and I cannot thank you enough. I am also getting Hello Fresh meals here and there to help with meal planning for the week. I thank you so much for that. As I end my letter, I want to let you know that this foundation means SO much to me and I take nothing for granted. My daughter and I are improving and progressing as a small family unit by getting closer and closer to our goals and dreams. Thank you so very much."

When youth in foster care turn 18 they become eligible to transition out of foster care. Often these youth are completely unprepared for the daily realities of adulthood, and little to no support system or network to lean back on. When these young adults fail to launch, they cost the tax payer $300,000, annually. 

However, our transitioning Fellows benefit directly from RJLF's Friends Launching Futures sustaining support fund. Read our breakdown of Friends Launching Futures support and hear one of our current “Friends,” Delana, explain why consistent support is a commitment you can feel good about.

“I have a knack for the outdoors, and that has undeniably worn off on Derrek.*” Britany's Mentor asked her what she would do if given the opportunity for travel and a new experience. Her immediate response was “an outdoor experience out west with my son... Nevada, Arizona, and Utah have the highest density of National Parks... To be able to witness these up close, and experience such a vast arrangement of them within only a couple hours of each other is a dream come true." ​Britany dared to dream, and the RJLF team is proud to support our Fellows' dreams. See images of Britany's and Derrek's western adventure below! Learn more about RJLF's Dare to Dream Experience.