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The R.J. Leonard Foundation was founded in 2009 by Jo Leonard in her father's memory. The foundation was inspired by the profound sense of connection that Jo felt to young adults aging out of the foster care system and her desire to serve her local community.
RJLF provides a program for these young adults, or Fellows as they are known. Our program helps to supply the Fellows with tools that will give them the same opportunities as their more fortunate peers. Since our launch 11 years ago, we have worked with 21 Fellows, and we have watched some amazing success stories as they have launched into self-sufficiency. |
Meet our family
AT RJLF, we like to think of ourselves as a family. We all work together to reach our goals of advancing our Fellows in their pivotal transition and ensuring that the cycle of wasted potential and unhealthy relationships is broken.
A FELLOW is a young adult who is currently in or has been in foster care and is awarded an individualized Fellowship by exhibiting a proven interest in furthering his or her education and/or career.
A MENTOR is an adult volunteer who commits to a lifelong relationship with a Fellow and provides them with guidance and tangible support to ease their transition. Each Mentor goes through our Mentor training program and is supported by our Mentoring team.
OUR TEAM works to match a Mentor with a Fellow with the goal of developing a lifetime connection and relationship. Our team also customizes and supports each Fellowship program to the specific needs of each Fellow.
OUR BOARD oversees all programs, decisions and is the backbone to our family.
OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS are local organizations that can often cover specific costs for Fellows.
A FELLOW is a young adult who is currently in or has been in foster care and is awarded an individualized Fellowship by exhibiting a proven interest in furthering his or her education and/or career.
A MENTOR is an adult volunteer who commits to a lifelong relationship with a Fellow and provides them with guidance and tangible support to ease their transition. Each Mentor goes through our Mentor training program and is supported by our Mentoring team.
OUR TEAM works to match a Mentor with a Fellow with the goal of developing a lifetime connection and relationship. Our team also customizes and supports each Fellowship program to the specific needs of each Fellow.
OUR BOARD oversees all programs, decisions and is the backbone to our family.
OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS are local organizations that can often cover specific costs for Fellows.
Our team
click here to read more about our family members
Jo Leonard
Founder
For 12 years I have been privileged to watch a family being built: a rich and diverse community of young adults struggling to launch their lives and careers successfully; committed, wise Mentors who pick up the phone at 1:00 am to support their Fellows; a board without whom the family structure would not exist; and operations leaders who tirelessly put the needs of others before their own." - Jo Leonard, Founder
Joelle Pitts
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Susan Coyle
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Our Board
KATHLEEN KASPER |
Dr. Abby Applebaum |
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John Ortolf |
Caitlin Deppeler |
Miles Hanley |
megan craig |
Micah jackson
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chris giangrasso
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Our Community Partners
ANNE PRYCE
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