The Jonas Fund was established in memory of Jonas Richter Penn. In a lot of ways, Jonas  was like any other 20 year old student.  He valued his education despite numerous setbacks throughout a very non-traditional high school career.  Through sheer determination and drive, he scored well on the S.A.T.s and was accepted to several colleges.  He took pride in making the Dean’s List during his freshman year at Rider University.  He enjoyed a youth group tour of Europe and Israel in 2001.  A songwriter, a drummer and a guitarist, Jonas loved music.He was an artist as well.  While these were some common denominators with his peers, in other ways, Jonas experienced life very differently.  That difference was marked by a hard-fought battle with depression.  While often isolating, it also led Jonas to understand with compassion and great sensitivity other youth who struggled as he did.Rather than retreat into himself, he chose to reach out and support those who lived with depression as he did.

His Legacy

Jonas was instrumental in establishing the Youth Partnership of Burlington County and worked diligently to develop the program. The Youth Partnership is an organization comprised of young people who have experienced mental health challenges and who are dedicated to advocating for others in similar situations.

In 2001, Jonas was honored for his positive example of a youth striving for excellence by the  Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health when he received the national “Celebration of Youth Award”.

Although he fought fiercely to be happy, Jonas ultimately lost his battle with depression. Jonas committed suicide in November 2002. His remarkable work within the mental health community, begun despite his own pain, continues as his legacy.  The Jonas Fund honors his wish to support young people with special emotional needs.

Jonas left us with the memory of a wonderful human being who touched the lives of more people in his brief 20 years than many do in 80.

The walls of loneliness have just fallen down
My soul rises from the ground
I appreciate life like never before
and now I'm just like one of you
Except my smile is new,
 and it gleams in the light.
It's something I can't control,
   cause this is forever
and I owe it to those that I trust,
you now

                                                                                           — J. P.