THE CAROLYNN OZAR DIAKON FOUNDATION
At Resources Real Estate, success means more than helping clients to buy and sell homes.
Through the efforts of the agency’s charitable arm, the Carolynn Ozar Diakon Foundation, it also means helping others – particularly women facing life challenges. That is the mission of a partnership between Resources Real Estate and the Lunch Break Life Skills Center, with the establishment of The Carolynn Ozar Diakon Foundation Scholarship for Life Skills Program participants.
The Life Skills Program is one of the many community initiatives at Lunch Break.
A non-profit organization in Red Bank, NJ, Lunch Break provides food, clothing, life skills, and support to those in need. The goal of the Life Skills Program is to provide appropriate and relevant training to allow participants to acquire and maintain meaningful employment while improving future career prospects.
The program offers coaching, training and business partnerships that allow participants to find meaningful employment while improving future career prospects. Available services include life and goal planning, ESL tutoring, budget counseling, legal planning, resume and cover letter preparation, interview and computer skills, and more.
The Carolynn Ozar Diakon Foundation carries on the philanthropic efforts of Resources Real Estate’s late founder.
The Carolynn Ozar Diakon Foundation carries onCreated in March 2019 the foundation focuses on empowering women facing life challenges of all kinds. It promotes the legacy and values of Carolynn Ozar Diakon. Diakon served on the boards and committees of multiple local nonprofits and supported many people in need.
“The foundation’s mission of aiding women facing life challenges is one that was important to Carolynn,” said Thomas McCormack, Broker, Resources Real Estate. “It continues to be important to all of us at Resources Real Estate.”
With a generous grant from Resources Real Estate, the foundation’s scholarship program helps provide financial support for qualifying women. Enrollment in the Life Skills Program is required. Participants who need financial support may complete the scholarship application with assistance from their Life Skills coach.
Mary Ann LaSardo, Life Skills Operations Manager at Lunch Break announced the partnership with pleasure. “We anticipate this scholarship will be life-changing for many of our participants,” she said. “We are so excited about this partnership with Resources Real Estate.”
Amanda Y: A Carolynn Ozar Diakon Foundation Success Story
One recent Life Skills participant, Amanda Y., provides an excellent example of how this scholarship can change lives.
“The scholarship I received from the Carolynn Ozar Diakon Foundation helped me to complete classes for my phlebotomy certification. This helped me get a raise at my job which ultimately helped me get approved for a mortgage. I am moving into my new home in September!” said a very excited Amanda.
Many who apply for the scholarship face a need which may not seem that challenging from the perspective of most people.
“It’s often an issue with transportation – automobile tires, a battery for their car – but for those without a financial buffer, if not addressed quickly, it can jeopardize their job and ultimately create a negative domino effect of devastating consequences,” said McCormack. “Small wins can make a huge difference.”
Resources Real Estate is very pleased to honor the legacy of founder Carolynn Ozar Diakon by creating this partnership between the Life Skills Center at Lunch Break, the Carolynn Ozar Diakon Foundation and Resources Real Estate. For more information visit: CarolynnDiakonFoundation.com.