This week’s update was written by Jean-Pierre Valteau (J.P.). J.P. has been a member of the Joan Rose Foundation family since 2012 and recently made a decision to donate part of his inheritance to the JRF. I thought it would be interesting for you all to read about J.P.’s time with the JRF and why he chose to donate part of his inheritance to us.
I started out at the Foundation volunteering twice a week for three months, and after a few months I was offered a paying job with the foundation. I guess I could consider myself the first intern the Foundation ever had.
Opportunity, for me, is something to which everyone should have access. I can say without a doubt that had I not had influential people in my life, like coaches and teachers, who gave their time to teach me lessons and values, motivate me, and show me the possibilities of life, I wouldn’t be where I am at today. I am thankful to have had these people in my life, and the best way I can think to repay them is to do for others what they did for me. This is my main motivation in working with the Joan Rose Foundation, and it has kept me here over the years.
Over the years, the JRF has also become a family to me. Being able to watch the kids grow up, mature, lose teeth, have teeth grow back in, learn, have fun, go crazy, improve behaviorally, try new things, improve academically, laugh, cry, fight, relax, and just be kids has been great. I feel extremely grateful to have been able to build a solid connection with these kids over the past few years, and it has been a special experience that I will never forget.
My mother was diagnosed with cancer in January 2015, and I immediately flew back to the states to be with her. She sadly passed away in November. When I was with my mother in the final months of her life, she reiterated to me that she was extremely proud of me and what I have done with my life thus far. She also reiterated that she wanted me to start a career and stop working in foreign countries for little or no money. When I think of what she said now it makes me laugh, but my reply to my mother was that I enjoy my job, and it makes me happy, I have enough money to eat, a somewhat comfortable living situation, and, more importantly, I am happy and I love my job!
After my mother’s passing I donated a large chunk of my inheritance to the Joan Rose Foundation because the values my mother taught me are very similar to the values we teach at the JRF. My mother taught me the importance of education, to treat others how I want to be treated, to work hard for what you want, and to love and take care of your family unconditionally. I truly believe in what the Joan Rose Foundation stands for and what we are trying to accomplish. I am thankful to all of the donors and supporters for your contributions over the years, and I want you to know you are an integral part of the JRF family.
