Over holiday break, a 4J family experiencing homelessness had something most of us take for granted: a safe place to sleep. Thanks to the Eugene Education Foundation’s Rosie’s Fund, they spent the holidays in a warm hotel room instead of a van. They were together, comfortable, and safe.

This is what Rosie’s Fund does. It removes barriers so kids can be kids, and families can stay together.’

Rosie’s Fund was started by a generous 4J educator who believed that students experiencing severe trauma deserve more than our good intentions. They deserve real help, right when they need it most. What began as a $100,000 gift has grown into a lifeline for elementary families in crisis.

The fund operates on a simple belief: when a child’s immediate needs aren’t met—when they don’t have a safe place to sleep, food to eat, or basic stability—they can’t learn fractions or write an essay. They’re in survival mode. And they need our community to show up.

Rosie’s Fund provides emergency support to elementary families and students in 4J experiencing severe trauma. Whether it’s securing temporary housing, accessing mental health resources, or covering other critical needs, the fund steps in to provide what families need to move forward.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, which means educators don’t have to wait for a funding cycle. When a student is in crisis, help can happen now.

You can help

If you’d like to support families in crisis by contributing to Rosie’s Fund, we’d be grateful for your generosity. Every donation honors the legacy of the educator who started this fund and helps us continue providing real support when families need it most.