What We've Been Up To

The Jonas Fund has awarded eleven $6,000 scholarships to deserving students at Jonas’ former high school who have overcome challenges, who have financial need, and who wish to further their education. We continue to be inspired by the efforts of the 11 recipients over the past seven years.

There are always numerous applicants for this award. Our most recent scholarship winner, Jamila, shined through as best exemplifying the qualities shown by Jonas in seeking to overcome his obstacles. In her scholarshipqualifying essay Jamila wrote, “Always believe in yourself and never let any of your aspirations become a dream deferred.”

After the scholarship was awarded, Jamila’s parents sent a heartfelt note to the Board. “Please know that the Jonas Scholarship that you gave to our daughter is truly a blessing. Your kindness and generosity will always be remembered. ”

We also take pride in our on-going effort to prevent suicide at the college level. Our annual gifting to Rider University, where Jonas attended, was used to help pay for evaluations and medical monitoring for students facing mental health crises. Nadine Marty, Director of Special Services at Rider, wrote, “None of the students initially had the financial means by which they could access clinical help, thus the monies were critical in providing their necessary services.”

We continue to share our knowledge and experience with numerous local and national groups committed to improving mental health services to youth. Please review archived articles describing the projects that The Jonas Fund has collaborated on or developed.

We sincerely appreciate your help and generosity in our efforts to empower youth to achieve more full and rewarding lives.

With Our Gift, Rider University Helps So Many

The commitment of the Jonas Fund is to support youth with behavioral or mental health needs in their transition from high school to college or vocational training. This commitment forms the basis of our gifting to Rider University which now is in excess of $20,000. The importance of helping youth in this transition phase was underscored by an article in the New York Times about the need for mental health services on campuses.

“Some mental health services may be covered by a student’s tuition, fees or health insurance. Others – visits to a psychotherapist or medication specialist in the community, for example – may not.”

Rider University used the first award from the Jonas Fund to purchase medication and to provide psychiatric services for students who could not otherwise afford them. In addition to providing these services, Rider has used our gift to implement a suicide prevention program developed at the University of Kentucky.

Thank you Rider University for helping us carry out our mission.

The following are excerpts from a letter from Carol Christian, Psy.D., Director of Rider University’s Counseling Center:

“Words cannot adequately express the gratitude I feel for the wonderful gift from The Jonas Fund … for the purpose of financially assisting students in need of interventions that they otherwise might be unable to afford. When a student realizes, perhaps for the first time, that medication could make the difference between suffering and surviving, not having the ability to purchase it can increase the feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.

Similarly, if the opportunity to consult with a psychiatrist, who would recognize the challenges of medical and emotional issues, is denied a student, the symptoms of depression and anxiety maintain a powerful grip.”

“In the words of one student who benefited from your generosity, “It’s difficult for me to comprehend that there is someone out there who cares enough about my struggles with bipolar illness that they are willing to pay for medication for me.”

Another student hoped that she’d be able to pass along the same gift to someone else. And a young man poignantly stated, “The Jonas Fund seems to value my life more than I do. Perhaps I need to reconsider my attitudes about life.”

Once again, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the gifts you have given to us, the gift of helping others to address depression and suicidal behavior. Although I never knew Jonas personally, I got to know him through the eyes and memories of faculty and students who loved and respected him.”

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The Jonas Fund Supports Suicide Prevention Symposium

Board member Marlene Penn was a member of the planning committee for a conference on Suicide Prevention hosted by The Mental Health Association of Southwestern New Jersey on May 5th, 2005. The Jonas Fund was pleased to be one of the sponsors for this symposium. The keynote speaker was Dr. Alfred Koplewicz, named “America’s Favorite Child Psychiatrist ” by Parent’s Magazine. He is the author of the book Depression in Children and Adolescents (Harwood, 1993).

Marlene was able to secure the expertise of Dr. Carol Christian, Director of the Counseling Center at Rider University, as facilitator for an afternoon workshop entitled “Colleges and Suicide Prevention Strategies”. Dr. Christian conducted two sessions on the multiple strategies that Rider has in place to sensitize staff and students on suicide prevention techniques. She presented on “Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)”, a program at Rider that was sponsored by The Jonas Fund.

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Our Support of a National Effort in Jonas’ Memory

“Systems of Care”, a national movement to reform mental health systems for children, holds bi-annual conferences attended by many youths in the system. In an effort to develop meaningful programs for these young attendees, the Burlington Youth Partnership in conjunction with the Technical Assistance Partnership for Child and Family Mental Health (a national organization) established the Jonas Penn Youth Involvement Fund. The Burlington Youth Partnership made an initial donation of $5,000 which was followed by donations from The Jonas Fund as well as Systems of Care organizations around the country.

Marlene Matarese, MSW, the Youth Coordinator of the Technical Assistance Partnership, wrote the following to all Systems of Care communities:

“I am very pleased to announce the initiation of the Jonas Penn Youth Involvement Fund. The purpose of this fund is to create meaningful, authentic youth involvement and opportunities for youth who are currently in or have been involved with Systems of Care.

Jonas Penn was a youth from New Jersey who was a strong advocate for youth involvement within systems reform. He was one of the founders of the Youth Partnership in New Jersey and the recipient of the Federation for Families Striving for Excellence Award.

Jonas experienced many challenges with his own mental illness, but kept on striving to make a difference in the lives of others. He attended his first Systems of Care Community Meeting in Puerto Rico where he was inspired to begin a youth movement in New Jersey. He realized there was a need for more structure, learning opportunities and activities for youth at conferences.

Sadly, Jonas committed suicide in November 2002. The Jonas Penn Youth Involvement Fund was created in his memory and has been developed with the goal of continuing Jonas’ work on a national level. In keeping with Jonas’ spirit of what his life represented, we want to ensure a quality youth track at conferences as well as contribute to the growth of a national youth involvement movement.”

The Jonas Fund is very pleased to have contributed to the startup of this important effort.

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The Jonas Fund Board Member Honored

Board member Marlene Penn (second from left) is honored by MHANJ

On May 26th, 2004 the Mental Health Association of New Jersey held its 5th Annual Evening of Excellence recognition dinner at the Basking Ridge Country Club. In past years, the MHANJ Golden Bell Leadership honorees have included distinguished individuals from the fields of mental health, the arts, and education, as well as corporations who have helped to further the MHANJ's cause.

This year, the MHANJ took the opportunity to thank three individuals and a corporation who have, each in their unique way, contributed to the public's understanding of mental health issues.

Honorees included actress Lorraine Bracco for her understated and realistic portrayal of psychiatrist, Dr. Jennifer Melfi on HBO's hit series, The Sopranos; Somerset County Superintendent of Schools, David Livingstonfor his broad view of the educational needs of children, which includes incorporating their emotional and social needs; Family Advocate and The Jonas Fund Board Member Marlene Penn “for her excellence in development and leadership of New Jersey’s family movement”; and Wakefern Corporation, ShopRite's parent company, for their forward thinking employment policies and programs in providing work opportunities for individuals with mental illness and developmental disabilities.

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