Causes I Support
Part of my collection's mission is to contribute to causes I believe in. Typically organizations that help families/children in crisis and organizations that promote peace. In the past, I developed and designed collections and sole pieces to support Equality, Peace One Day, Breast Cancer Awareness organizations, the American Cancer Society, etc. I have also donated a portion of my income from Rebecca Tollefsen to various organizations such as The Phoenix House and family resource centers and I've also provided scholarships for youth to attend The Challenge Program. The Challenge Program provides a wellness service that includes a drug and alcohol education self-awareness program.
I have now been contributing a portion of my income from my line, Rebecca Tollefsen, to organizations that continue to support families in crisis. I update the causes I am working with annually here on this page. I have designated YWCA Women's Crisis Service and Girls, Inc Young Women's Leadership Academy as the main organizations I will work with this year but will update the page as organizations and causes are brought to my attention.
Monthly contributions for 2017:
January 2017: Provide a scholarship to The Challenge Program.
February 2017: YWCA Women's Crisis Service
March through May 2017: Contribute funds to assist a high school student to pursue medical degree coursework at Boston University in the Summer of 2017.
June 2017: Originally planned on providing a scholarship to Girls, Inc. Young Women's Leadership Academy but instead contributed to The Matty B Fund. Matt Bechard is a local firefighter serving at the firehouse on Church Street where Rebecca Tollefsen and Mountain Base Yoga studios are located. He was in a motorcycle accident resulting in a head injury this month. The Matty B Fund is supporting his family while he recovers from his head injury.
July 2017: Provided funds to Operation Safe Haven - micro housing for veterans.
August 2017: Originally planned on providing a scholarship to Girls, Inc. Young Women's Leadership Academy. Update: contribute to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. Specifically, I provided all new school supplies for children displaced by the hurricane.
September 2017: Peace One Day in honor of International Peace Day on 9/21/17.
October 2017: Girls Inc. Young Women's Leadership Academy (rescheduled from June & August 2017).
November 2017: Contribute funds to keep food banks stocked during their busy season. Provide goods and funds to Families in Transition.
December 2017: December is usually TBD as I wait to see if there are families or organizations that need assistance to ensure families have everything they need to celebrate the holidays. Update: I will be contributing funds and gifts for families both locally and to families displaced by Hurricane Harvey and Irma.
January 2018: YWCA Women's Crisis Service
February 2018: Provide scholarship to Girls, Inc. Young Women Leadership Academy