Changing Lives Luncheon raises over $70,000 for former foster care young adults

Thanks to the incredible support of our community, Ready for Life's 16th Anniversary Changing Lives Luncheon was a resounding success! Held in a room filled with energy, compassion, and hope, the event brought together over 200 attendees who share our mission of empowering youth aging out of foster care. We are thrilled to announce that pledges are still coming in daily, but to date, we have raised over $70,000 from the luncheon: a true testament to the strength and generosity of our community.

The afternoon began with an awards presentation honoring our dedicated donors and volunteers whose unwavering support fuels our work every day. These individuals and organizations embody the spirit of Ready for Life, and it was a privilege to recognize their contributions publicly.

Our Award Winners:

Founders Awards: Scott Clendening & Community Foundation Tampa Bay;

MVPs of the Year: Greg Long & Dr. Marilyn Fenton;

Volunteer of the Year: Karen Davis;

Mentor of the Year: Tom Lowery;

and Parent Aide of the Year, Chandra Wilson.

One of the most moving parts of the event was the RFL alumni presentation, Bridges to Our Dreams. Several alumni bravely took the stage to share their personal journeys: stories of perseverance, growth, hope, and success as they work to achieve their dreams. Their words served as a powerful reminder of why we do what we do, and the real-world impact of community support.

The keynote address was delivered by the inspiring Christina Meredith—an author, soldier, and former Miss California—who shared her personal story of surviving abuse, homelessness, and foster care to become a passionate advocate for foster youth. Her message of resilience and determination resonated deeply with everyone in the room, offering a vision of hope and possibility for all young people aging out of foster care.

We are overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone who made this event possible — our attendees, our resilient alumni, our volunteers, our staff, and our generous sponsors. Your support ensures that Ready for Life can continue to provide critical resources and build lasting support networks that Change Lives Beyond Foster Care every day.

As we reflect on the incredible day we shared, we are reminded that together, we can create a world where every young person has the opportunity to thrive. Thank you for being part of this journey. Here’s to the next chapter in the Ready for Life story!

And thank you to our incredible sponsors for making it all possible: Raymond James, Risser Family Foundation, Beth Dillinger Foundation, Commercial Partners Realty, Inc., thesoundguyz.com, Tom & Barb Van Oss, WD Morgan Solutions, Dr. Tom & Pauline Deal, Mary Pat McLain, Rotary Club of Pinellas Park Page, Liz Heinkel at Smith & Associates Luxury Real Estate, and Wallace Welch & Willingham!

Special thank you the talented photographer Housh Ghovaee, Chris McCabe; Pinellas Technical College Stage Production Class; Suncoast NPI and CheekySkirt Media, Cruise Planners - I Need to Travel, Mama Rosa Cleaning Services Inc, MailCo, and SurpassYourGoals.com; the RFL Board of Directors and Advisory Council; and the Family HOPE Center Advisory Council.