Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen Rubino.
Hi Jen, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am the founder and executive director of Cards for Hospitalized Kids (CFHK), a charity that aims to spread hope, joy, and magic to hospitalized kids through uplifting, handmade cards.
My own experience as a “hospitalized kid” inspired me to found CFHK, in 2011 when I was 16, to help other kids. CFHK now distributes handmade cards to Children’s Hospitals nationwide and over 500,000 cards have been distributed thus far.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like any endeavor, there have been “bumps” in the road.
I was simply a teenager with a dream to help others and had no experience with building/running a charity or anything that comes along with it such as creating/running a website, social media, recruiting volunteers and donors, communicating with hospital staff, event planning, outreach and more. I had to learn all these things as I went along. The biggest lesson I learned was to not be afraid to ask for advice; receiving advice from other young nonprofit founders was so helpful to me.
A struggle that I commonly faced was getting people to take me seriously as a teenager, especially when dealing with different agents when trying to reach out about celebrities and athletes getting involved with CFHK. But this is something that I was ultimately able to navigate by just never giving up. every time I got a rejection, I had to not let it turn me, and just evolved, learn from it, and then try again.
In the beginning, I was doing everything myself from processing the cards and distributing them, sending thank-you letters to donors, running the website and social media, outreach to new volunteers, media interviews, outreach to new hospitals, and much more. It was very difficult to manage at times, especially as a high school student, but I just had to balance and remember why I was doing it.
Ultimately, I was able to build CFHK from the ground up into the national charity it is today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Cards for Hospitalized Kids (CFHK) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that spreads hope, joy & magic to hospitalized kids across America through uplifting, handmade cards. CFHK distributes “general” cards monthly, as well as holiday cards for major holidays, to Children’s Hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses in all 50 states. Over 500,000 kids in hospitals in all 50 states have received cards from CFHK since our inception.
Using CFHK’s guidelines, individuals and groups across the US and abroad donate their time and creativity to make handmade cards to send to CFHK for distribution. Anyone can get involved, regardless of location or artistic skill level. People from all walks of life have come together under this common cause.
Many celebrities and athletes are also involved with CFHK such as Lauren Conrad, Lucy Hale, Olympians like Aly Raisman, Nastia Liukin, and many others. The celebrities donate autographs for the kids to receive along with the cards, and help spread the word on social media which has been incredibly impactful as well.
While a card may seem simple, it’s incredibly impactful for the kids and their families to know someone is thinking of them during this difficult time. Many of the kids go on to volunteer for CFHK after they recover. The cards are particularly impactful for cancer patients or kids with other chronic conditions who receive cards regularly during their frequent treatments.
There are countless stories of the impact—from the 15-year-old heart transplant patient who spent 4 months in the hospital, received dozens of cards from CFHK plus autographs by CFHK celebrity supporters, and was so impacted that she went on to volunteer for CFHK after recovering, to the cancer patient who unfortunately lost her life but whose mother decided to bury the cards from CFHK with her daughter, and more.
CFHK has also proven to be incredibly impactful for the people who get involved by making cards as well. People of all ages and walks of life make cards. And seeing that something as simple as a card can make such an impact helps them realize their capacity to make a difference.
For further information on Jen and CFHK, visit www.CardsForHospitalizedKids.com.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory would probably be competing in the Illinois State Championships in gymnastics with my teammates.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cardsforhospitalizedkids.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cardsforhospitalizedkids/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/cardsforhospitalizedkids?wtsid=rdr_0cXsXRElg4t0i0peZ
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/company/cards-for-hospitalized-kids
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2F#!/Crds4HosptlKids
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/user/Cards4HospitalKids
Image Credits
Erin Leone Photography
