Dear Friends,
As the situation with COVID-19 continues to develop, please know that we have taken proactive steps to protect our staff, Mentors, Fellows, and the communities where we live and work. The RJLF team is working remotely and following the guidelines issued by Governor Wolf, the Centers for Disease Control, and the World Health Organization. As we adapt to these unusual circumstances, we are using technology to remain connected with and provide support to our Fellows and Mentors.
This is a very difficult and uncertain time for everyone, but we must not lose sight of the importance of our work. Now, more than ever, it is essential that we support the most vulnerable members of our community.
We are eternally grateful for your
continued support
. Without each one of you, we would be unable to continue our work.
We hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy, and we look forward to better times.
Joelle Pitts, Executive Director
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A New Team Member
We are excited to welcome our new Program Director, Susan Coyle. Susan has worked closely with youth in foster care and young people transitioning from care. She has extensive knowledge of the complex challenges young people aging out of foster care face and the impact positive support can have on their lives. She has strong community connections and is a tireless advocate for the young people she works with. We are so grateful to have her join our team and look forward to introducing her to you.
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A New Board Member
We are thrilled to announce that Kathleen Kasper has joined our board. As many off you know, Kathleen was RJLF's Senior Director up until her retirement last year. Her love and commitment to our mission have been essential to the growth and success of RJLF. We are deeply excited to work with her in the new role.
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We have decided to cancel our two Spring events: the March Mentor Workshop, which we are working to reschedule virtually and our April Celebrity Bartender fundraising event, which we hope to be able to reschedule for this summer.
Unfortunately, the Celebrity Bartender event is one our most important fundraising events of the year. Because of its postponement, we need your help. We expect that our Fellows will be in need of more financial support than anticipated in the coming weeks. Many will be facing lost or reduced wages and additional child care expenses due to school closures.
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Mentor Spotlight: Tom McCormick
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Tom McCormick’s amazing generosity extends beyond his support for his Fellow and RJLF. We are proud and honored to announce that Tom will be recognized this summer for his countless contributions to the Boys and Girls Club of Philadelphia.
“Tom has helped transform this organization into what it is today,” Lisabeth Marziello, CEO of the Philadelphia Boys and Girls Club said. “He has been a champion supporter, mentor, fundraiser and advocate. No doubt Tom has changed lives for the better.”
Tom will be honored along with retired Phillies All-Star Shane Victorino on Friday, June 26 at the Boys and Girls Club Showcase of Wine, Cheese, and Beer, held at the Philadelphia Convention Center.
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Community Partner Spotlight:
The MAGIC Charities Foundation
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As everyone was adapting to the changes COVID-19 has brought to our communities, the MAGIC Charities Foundation was acting. Working to ensure that the families served by the Foundation had food, Executive Director Sharon Grosso was putting together meal bags. However, she wasn’t just thinking of the families she serves but also those that RJLF serves. She reached out to us, offering to provide additional meal bags for our Fellows. The MAGIC Charities Foundation gave us food for five of our Fellows and their families.
We could not be more grateful for the generosity and kindness shown to us by the MAGIC Charities Foundation during this time.
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Information and Resources
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Until recently, our intention was to use this space to provide you with information concerning Pennsylvania's new Fostering Independence Through Education Act - a piece of legislation that will help young people in foster care with college tuition. However, given the current public health crisis and the new circumstances in which many of us find ourselves, we thought it better to share some relevant resources available in Bucks and Montgomery Counties. (If you would like to learn more about the Fostering Independence Through Education Act, we encourage you to visit the
PHEAA
and
Juvenile Law Center
websites. Please note that the deadline for filing with PHEAA has been extended but only until May 15. We will share additional information concerning the new law in the near future.)
As COVID-19 continues to spread throughout our communities, many find themselves in need. Fortunately, both the government and private organizations in our counties are stepping up in these challenging times to provide much needed information and resources.
Information
The state of Pennsylvania, as well as Bucks and Montgomery Counties, have launched websites and helplines aimed at keeping the public informed with the most up to date information on COVID-19. The CDC also continues to provide important information.
Financial
Many have lost wages or even jobs in the last few weeks. In addition to unemployment compensation, residents can seek help from food pantries, local organizations, and even utility companies to ease the financial burden.
Mental Health
Part of staying healthy is taking care of our mental health, especially during stressful times such as these.
Above all, please stay safe.
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