Winter_Spring_08

If you’ve been to the RFC’s website, you probably noticed the “DONATE NOW” button at the top and bottom of each page. Clicking this button will allow you to support the RFC with a contribution made by credit card or (in most cases) debit card. The process is quick, simple and secure, as many donors already have discovered. Along with standard contributions, you may also set up recurring donations or designate your gift to mark special occasions, as a memorial, etc.

Clinton E. Jencks Memorial Fund

Muriel Sobelman-Jencks has established an annual grant of $1000 in memory of her husband, Clinton E. Jencks (1918-2005), “El Palomino,” organizer for United Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers, Local 890.

One of the RFC’s earliest grants, made in 1992, was for daycare for the three-year-old son of a political prisoner incarcerated for his fight for Puerto Rican Independence. Today, Romano is a 17-year-old and will graduate high school this May.

ART AS WITNESS: Capturing Community Values

As an RFC supporter, you probably are aware of the value the RFC places on the Arts. We believe that artistic expression can serve as a therapeutic outlet in our beneficiaries’ often-turbulent lives. We also recognize art’s powerful role in building community, especially within progressive movements. So it is with great pleasure that we share news about an exciting community partnership involving the Arts: the RFC has been selected to be the 2008 beneficiary of the Eastmont Art Fund (EAF).

This fall the RFC made 83 grants totaling $196,216; 6 are new awards and 77 are renewals. Thanks to our supporters’ generosity, in 2007 the RFC awarded almost $410,000, exceeding $400,000 for the second year running. The RFC Board’s commitment to help these children in the face of ongoing repression is unwavering.

A Perfect Storm

I’ll be blunt – this is going to be a difficult year for the RFC. The storm clouds are gathering. Authoritarian forces are now actively attempting to resuscitate COINTELPRO tactics, bring “evidence” generated by torture into court and apply draconian post-9/11 laws to progressive activists. New demands for our support are coming from a dizzying array of sources.