DCFYI

On this episode of the DCFYI Digest, we sat down with Lindsay Clark to hear about her role as a committee member and how Establishing Roots impacts the community.

DCFYI: Can you just introduce yourself and then share how you got in touch with DCFYI?

Lindsay: Absolutely. My name is Lindsey Clark. I lead a real estate team at Compass called the Clark and Carle Group in the DC area. I learned about DCFYI through a neighbor. I live in Shepherd Park in DC, and at the time, I was looking for an organization that focused on fostering to get involved in. And when I heard about DCFYI, I was just really moved by it. So, I reached out to them and we have been connecting with them for the last couple of years, primarily through my real estate team and the “What Moves You Campaign;” for every home we sell, we donate to a cause that's important to our clients as well as what’s important to our team, and DCFYI is one of the organizations we support in that campaign.

DCFYI: How did you first hear about Establishing Roots, the fundraiser?

Lindsay: We learned about it once we got involved with DCFYI and through their communications. We learned about it as one of their biggest fundraisers. I was able to attend last year and it was a great, great event, a lot of fun.

DCFYI: What does the fundraiser mean to you?

Lindsay: You know, having the great opportunity to get together with the people who are working, volunteering, as well as the teens and hear about how the program has helped them. So, I value that opportunity. It's fun to get together. It's a really fun event with the auction, to learn and hear about the different food and businesses that come and support the auction as well. It's a great opportunity to bring friends. We brought some clients, too to the event. And yeah, it's just a great time. You know, I think what was most meaningful was hearing directly from the teens and the volunteers about how what DCFYI has done to help their relationships and lives. So that was what I really enjoyed.

DCFYI:  So, I know you're on a committee for the fundraiser. Can you talk a little bit more about the committee's role and kind of what you do?

Lindsay: I'm on the board fundraising committee. I co-chair that with Marcela Monti, who is also on the DCFYInboard. They just re-started the fundraising committee this year, which is really exciting. The committee's role is to support the board and fundraising activities. We've convened a group of volunteers to participate on the committee, and we're in the process of creating a plan to help with fundraising activities for DCFYI based on their priorities, what they've done in the past, as well as bring some new activities and of course, Establishing Roots. So we’ll help support that as well as other activities. That can vary from hosting events or bringing in donors, reaching out to possible corporate funders.

DCFYI: If someone was wondering if they should come to Establishing Roots, what would you tell them?

Lindsay: I would tell them it's a great opportunity to hear more about an organization that's making a real impact in the lives of teens in foster care. If you're not familiar with some of the challenges that teens face, it's a great opportunity to hear about that. If you are already plugged into supporting foster youth, this is just another great organization that you would want to hear about. In addition to that, it's really a fun and well-run event. There's great food, great people to meet, and a lot of fun items to bid on. It's just a fun event and it’s really informative. It is DCFYI’s biggest fundraiser. So, if you're hoping to make an impact in the lives of foster youth, this is a great way to do that, to attend and support.