You’re All That Matters
With just two days to go until Jeannessa’s Friends inaugural event— our candlelight vigil and after-party— I’m thinking a lot about all that Jeannessa had to offer the world and why carrying on her work in her absence matters. If you’re not convinced that joining us on Wednesday is worth your time, please give this a read. And if you are planning on joining us, may this get you hyped to be part of our kick-off! See you Wednesday!
Our community has been facing a pet welfare crisis for many years. Shelters are overcrowded, and animal abuse and neglect is often in the news. Jeannessa’s Friends will provide funding for legitimate pet rescue organizations; such as SNAP (The Spay Neuter Action Project), JF’s first grant recipient, which helped with the rescue of 12 Rottweiler/German Shepherd puppies, their mother, and the other adult dogs in the household.
Limited housing options for pet owners is a major factor in shelter overcrowding and can have an effect on the mental health of owners who are forced to surrender their animals. Jeannessa’s Friends will shed light on this issue and assist with resources to keep pet owners and their animals united.
The high cost of pet care is another major reason pet owners are forced to surrender their pets. Jeannessa’s Friends will assist low-income families with veterinary care to keep pets with their owners.
No animal should be sentenced to death simply because shelters are overcrowded. Currently, this is often the only solution. Jeannessa’s Friends will reduce avoidable euthanasia.
According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, concern for pets keeps about half of domestic violence survivors from leaving dangerous situations. Jeannessa’s Friends will bring awareness, advocacy, and options for those in need.
Veterinary medicine is an in-demand career path, but high program costs are a barrier for many passionate animal lovers to enter the field. Jeannessa’s Friends will provide veterinary scholarships to reduce this barrier, ensuring there are enough veterinarians to provide competent care to all in-need animals.
Jeannessa was committed, driven, kind, smart, outspoken, strong, fun, warm, charismatic and known for helping her community in a myriad of ways…an inspiration to all people, not just pet lovers.
Representing six generations, Jeannessa’s family is deeply rooted in Santa Clara County with a commitment to serving the community they have called home since the 1880s.
Jeannessa’s Friends is well positioned to succeed, with a board made up of experienced, passionate professionals who loved Jeannessa and all that she stood for.
Jeannessa should still be with us today. The preventable crime which took her life and two others was all over the news last year, and of great interest to many people living in Santa Clara county. The story does not end there. Starting a non-profit to carry on Jeannessa’s life’s work is a way to shift the focus from something tragic to something positive, providing hope to those who care about the state of our surroundings. The resiliency after this horrible tragedy to create something filled with hope and light sends a strong message with which Jeannessa was very much aligned: LOVE WINS!
While the goals of Jeannessa’s Friends target serious issues regarding pet and human welfare, the manner in which these goals will be achieved is through joyful, celebratory means: live music, creative events that bring the community together, and endearing projects like the “Jeannessa’s (4-legged) Friends Coloring Book.” Our community is in need of lightheartedness amid challenging times, and Jeannessa’s Friends is here to provide!
See you Wednesday evening!
