We often receive letters, calls and emails from members of our community, letting us know how the RFC impacts their lives. Here are three that arrived recently.
An environmental activist swept up in the Green Scare and sentenced to 20 years in prison, wrote to describe what Attica Prison Visit grants have meant to her and her children. She described how important it’s been, to not just be a ghost in the phone, a soundless word on a page. Thank you for easing the pain and fear that my family felt as we were suddenly separated…It is inspiring to me that out of such a painful, tragic chapter in this country’s history and in the history of one family, such a compassionate force for good has been born that benefits so many families now.
A new supporter joined the RFC community this fall after receiving a mailing from us (see Executive Director’s report), and along with her contribution, shared this memory about how the Rosenbergs’ executions impacted her: I remember this as though it was yesterday! I was in the fifth grade. It was the only time I saw my father cry. He sat on the steps and sobbed and then told me what was done…I have wondered what happened to the children for years.
A little boy whose parents were targeted for their nonviolent resistance to nuclear weapons, began receiving RFC grants many years ago. He’s now in college and his mother wrote of his progress: Because of you, Jonathan [a pseudonym] has had a ‘career’ of music lessons. Who knew that lessons begun in fifth grade would develop into his passion as a young man? The formal training in cello has led to ability to play guitar and banjo (self-taught!), to membership in a local youth symphony, to formation of a band, to writing music… You have been a vital member in the ‘village’ that has helped raise Jonathan. You have also helped our family by serving as a constant reminder that we stand in good company when personal freedom has been risked for the sake of world peace, for the sake of justice…We know we are not alone.