R4 had the opportunity to provide coats, hats, and gloves for the children of Altavista Elementary School in Altavista, VA, right before the Holidays.
R4 has adopted this Elementary School to ensure that children who are impacted by incarceration will have the necessities to keep them warm each Winter. It is a pleasure to work with Ms. J. Herndon the School Counselor.
Ms. Herndon and her staff are always so appreciative of the donations. She informed me this year that their Coat Closet was in much need of donations and how grateful she was that R4 had chosen her school again this year to ensure the little ones stayed warm!
R4 donated an abundance of toys to Southwest Comm-Unity Forum, a Non-Profit located in Washington DC.
The Founder lost one of his largest donors; therefore, R4 stepped up to the plate and donated hundreds of dollars in toys to help the children who would have otherwise not received gifts from Santa. We pride ourselves in helping those that are less fortunate.
R4 was fortunate enough this year to be invited to represent our Non-Profit at six (6) Combined Federal Campaign, (CFC) events.
For those of you who are not in the Federal Government, that is the only time that the Federal Government can ask their employees to donate to a Non-Profit during the season of CFC, which runs from November to January of each year.
R4 has been a part of CFC for the past six years, but this is the first time that our Organization has been asked to present at so many Government Agencies. We were selected to present at:
Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, (OFCCP)
Department of Labor, (DOL)
Department of Homeland Security, (DHS)
The Mark Center, (An extension of the Pentagon)
The Pentagon
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
It was very rewarding to be able to enlighten the Government population on the importance of assisting Returning Citizens while reintegrating back into society and giving those that want a second chance, another opportunity to become productive, law-abiding citizens!
Letter from Tavist Alston
"My name is T. Alston and I first met Dr. Bell and the Bell Consulting Group, (BCG) Team when I was a part of the Lead Out Program, which was an amazing Program that I was privileged to be a part of after incarceration. After my completion of the Lead Out Program, Dr. and Mr. Bell welcomed me with open arms when I needed additional help. Their Non-Profit, R4 has opened my eyes to things I never thought possible, especially after coming home from incarceration.
While incarcerated I was afforded the opportunity to receive training on a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Simulator. The instructor was a member of the BCG Team, which I had no idea at the time. Mr. Younger would come into the jail twice a week to teach those of us who were interested in becoming Truck Drivers. Upon release I was afforded the opportunity to go to CDL School. After coming home Mr. Younger assisted me throughout the CDL process and when I passed my test, it was one of the happiest moments of my life. It was like a full circle.
After coming home and meeting the R4 Team, I realized they are an amazing group of people who genuinely care about those of us that most consider, The Lost, Last and Least Desirable. I felt as though I could accomplish anything because I had the support of R4.
Unfortunately, I lost my job a week before Christmas. I did not know what I was going to do or how I was going to be able to get my children gifts for Christmas. Out of the blue, Dr. Bell called me one day just to check on me and I told her my situation. It was a blessing that I was not expecting, but Dr. Bell told me not to worry that R4 would ensure my children had a great Christmas and that they did! R4 provided me with Target gift cards, and I was able to buy my girls everything they wanted for Christmas.
Without the help of such an amazing Organization, like R4 Christmas would have been very bleak this year! I thank God for Dr. Bell, Mr. Bell, and the entire R4 Team……. They are true believers in Second Chances, and they do make Dreams Come True!"
