Donate to RT this Holiday Season!

A message from Marissa Escalante, board member and chair of the fundraising committee:

I started out with RT as a volunteer and signed up for a 6 month commitment to help tutor and mentor two young Liberian refugees, Blessing and Karim. Here I am 4 years later, still working with the same great kids and now a board member for 3 years.  All those who know me have heard the wonderful and funny stories about Blessing and Karim, be it their educational achievements to teaching me the latest dance moves!  My time with these two has been nothing but rewarding.

Additionally, through my experience with RT as a board member I have had the pleasure of seeing this organization’s mission put to work.  In only the last 3 years RT has partnered with the Oakland Unified School District, San Francisco International High School, Good Samaritan Family Resource Center, and other local organizations, and expanded programs and services into Santa Clara County. Such growth is a true testament not only to the great need for these services, but also to RT’s reputation.

While there are many other organizations that strive for social change, I chose RT because of its high level of involvement in my surrounding community and because RT serves an especially vulnerable group of individuals – most of whom have fled violence and unbearable hardship in their native countries. RT’s programs provide these individuals with the confidence to believe in themselves and in their ability to become self-sufficient in a brand new environment.

This holiday season, I hope you will join me in this effort to support refugees and immigrants in the Bay Area!

Marissa Escalante
RT Board Member