RJLF Newsletter - April

Intentionally Performing Miracles

Read on if you love stories. We love stories, especially ones about A-Mazing-Mentors, Fabulous Foster Care Fellows, and our Brilliant Board Members!  You'll learn about how your donations are directly benefiting local youth in your community, and how to join our efforts if you're interested.

April is RJLF Planning Month, so a great time to join our board! 

What We Do

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Story #1: Lovely Lisa - one amazing mentor

Lisa Breitmayer joined RJLF as a Mentor in 2016. After attending our 2015 fundraiser and learning more about the need to support young adults aging out in her own community, Lisa was inspired to become a Mentor.  Lisa’s passion and dedication have had a tremendous impact on the life of RJLF Fellow “Christine”.  We asked Lisa what she loves about being an RJLF Mentor.​ 
​“I am blessed to offer guidance and support to an extremely bright and determined young woman whose drive and determination never ceases to amaze me. Going to college full time while raising a child and all that it entails, is hard. There are so many obstacles along the way… affordable housing, living expenses, putting food on the table everyday, school loans, auto repairs and everyday stress. It has been so fulfilling to be able to help her navigate college, provide games for her son, teach her about budgeting, healthy eating and clever study tips, and especially to be a listener when she needs to vent at the end of a grueling week. Seeing some sense of relief wave across her face when we finish our conversation, I am reminded again and again how worthwhile this relationship is to both of us.” In addition to being an RJLF Mentor, Lisa is a nurse, mother, grandmother, and volunteer for the American Cancer Society. We are so appreciative to Lisa for her commitment to make a difference!

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​Spreading joy with One simple wish!

Danielle and Joe Gletow’s desire to combat a lack of resources for foster kids as well as a general lack of awareness about the foster care system, has blossomed into a national effort that helps over 20,000 individuals each year! 

Three years ago Kathleen Kasper, our tireless Senior Director and Jo Leonard, our fearless Executive Director, sat in a room with Danielle Gletow and talked about how to collaborate for the benefit of foster care kids.  Out of this meeting came a strong mutually beneficial relationship, one that provides laptops, toys, gift cards, car tires, school supplies, and much more, to RJLF Fellows.  We are forever grateful to the entire OSW team for the wonderful work that they do! 
https://www.onesimplewish.org/ 

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our feature fellow & Save The Date

Our Feature Fellow

Tracey has wanted nothing more than to buy her first house, a place she can call home with her young son.  She has held three jobs while raising John and going to college, and last month her dream came true. She moved into her new house in Montgomery County! Her Mentor and the RJLF team worked with her during the difficult closing process and have helped get her set up with furniture, pots and pans and other items to make her house feel like a home.  Congratulations Tracey! We are so proud of you.

Save the Date

Our 3rd annual Cedarbrook Fundraiser will take place on Friday, October 6th, 2017 and will feature new fun activities for all. And more chances to win a fabulous vacation in Spain. ​

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"Our mission is clear. While we are supportive of government programs to assist the underprivileged, we are dedicated to providing our Fellows with unmet and critical resources, to put them on a level playing field with their more privileged peers."

Thanks for reading our April Newsletter! We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
​
Jo Leonard 
(646) 246 8199 
jo@rjleonardfoundation.org