Changing Lives
Beyond Foster Care
Ready for Life (RFL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Pinellas and Pasco counties dedicated to supporting former foster care youth in homelessness prevention, education and employment, and lifeline support networks. Our solution-based Skill Center offers former foster care young adults and their children an incredible number of programs and services, all guided by the Youth Voice.
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RFL is a caring environment where young people find basic needs like food and meal kits; personal and hygiene supplies; support networks; access to laundry and shower facilities; disaster preparedness; and so much more. We understand that until immediate basic needs are met, it is nearly impossible to contemplate the future...and RFL believes that all young people deserve the opportunity for a successful future.
Our Mission
Our Vision
Changing Lives Beyond Foster Care
Ready for Life’s vision is a world where every young person has the opportunity to succeed. We work toward our vision by providing a caring environment and wraparound services to the resilient young adults who age out of the foster care system with little to no support.
The Youth Voice
At Ready for Life, Youth Voice is our greatest driver and inspiration. From day one, we have listened intently to the young adults we serve—their stories, trauma, needs, and the challenges they face. We know that the most effective way to serve former foster care youth is to listen and let their voices influence the care and support we provide, so their firsthand knowledge and lived experience guide everything we do.
Meet the Team
Executive Leadership
Programs
Strategic Support
Board Members
Our co-founders were approached about developing a nonprofit that would focus on assisting this population through this transition and thus Ready for Life was created.
Co-Founders David Fischer Gerry Hogan Bud Risser
Advisory Council
Yvette Bean
Kenneth Beattie
Scott Clendening
Ben Coughanour
Kay Dillinger
Jennifer Dittman
Alexis Duhmel - Youth Voice
Glenn Gomer
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Chris Kline​
Chris McCabe
Mary Pat McLain - Chair
Sally McLane
Bruce Mitchell
Kathy Mize, CEO
Bud Risser- Founder
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Sarah Sheffield-Marchand
Brandon Williams
Jamelle Connor
Provost, St. Petersburg College • Co-Chair RFL Advisory Council
Bruce Militello
Retired Investment Banking, PNC Bank • Co-Chair RFL Advisory Council
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Gareth Hughes
Director, Raymond James Financial • Co-Chair Elect
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Glenn Gomer
Attorney • Immediate Past Co-Chair RFL Advisory Council
Mary Pat McLain
Chair of the Board of Directors, RFL
Kathy Mize
CEO & One of the Founders of RFL
Michelle Walag
SVP Public Relations, RFL • Staff Lead RFL Advisory Council
Erika Almond
Tournament Director, Suncoast Ladies' Classic & Suncoast Kingfish Classic
Mike Brown
Owner, Trunk Bay Designs • President, Santa’s Angels
Laura Connelly
GFWC Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs Second Vice President First Presbyterian • Church of Dunedin Mission Committee Chair
Silas Elkins
VP, Banking Center Manager III, Seacoast Bank
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​Terry Farner
Founder Suncoast Kingfish Classic
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A​nne Gottlieb
Owner & Founder of Profiles Placement Services in Baltimore, MD • Mentor RFL • Chair of the RFL Marketing & Communications Committee
Alan Heinlein
Senior Life Publications Tampa Bay • RFL Marketing & Communications Committee Member
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Uday LeLe
Serial Entrepreneur
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Kate Linde
RFL’s Cooking with Kate Celebrity Chef • Major Donor and Contributor
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Kelly Mione
Marketing Professional, Retired • RFL Programs Committee Member • Former Mentor & Tutor
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Margaret Martin
Re-Design Your Life Coach for Women 50s, 60s, 70s • Martin & Associates
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Fawn Moore
Chief Innovation Officer, FSS
Debbie Reeser
Broker Associate, Commercial Partners Realty
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Jenn Tran
Chief People & Culture Officer for the Tampa Bay Rays
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Ben Walker
CFO, DuCon • Founder and CEO, Buyers Point • VP of GZL Educational Foundation • Tampa Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
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Bill Weiner
Chief People & Community Officer for the Tampa Bay Rays
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Amanda VanLaningham
Director of Partnerships and Prevention, DCF, Office of Child and Family Wellbeing