At the end of every session, we ask the students to complete evaluations of every aspect of the program. We are also fortunate to receive several emails and letters from parents whose daughters attended the JFSLA. We have included some of our favorites below!
WORDS OF THANKS FROM PARENTS OF 2011 ATTENDEES
Hi Marnie:
Please pass this email along to Julie Foudy and all who were involved in making this year's camp in NJ such a success.This was my daughter Mariana's first time--Monday night she texted me..."Mom..Can't call..BEST CAMP EVER!!! I can't even express in words the difference this has made in my daughter. She talked about the camp the entire 2 1/2 hour trip home and the next day. In fact she's still telling all her family about it. I asked her if she wanted to go back next year and she didn't hesitate. "Oh yea Mom...I'm going back!!!" This is all because of the excellent staff and the "outstanding" program! The project is such a wonderful idea and just the entire overall program. Mariana said in reference to the Peer Pressure on and off the field..."Mom, I learned things I never thought about!" You can be proud because from what I heard on Friday morning from other parents and campers...you are making a difference in these girls lives!!--and
we mother's sincerely appreciate it! Also, Marnie: I just wanted to express my thanks to you for always answering emails promptly and when we had the issue with the refrigerator, I couldn't believe how fast you solved that problem. This camp is rated A+ in my book from the very beginning until the end. Keep up the fantastic work and you'll definitely being seeing us next year!!!
Margy Azevedo
Please pass this email along to Julie Foudy and all who were involved in making this year's camp in NJ such a success.This was my daughter Mariana's first time--Monday night she texted me..."Mom..Can't call..BEST CAMP EVER!!! I can't even express in words the difference this has made in my daughter. She talked about the camp the entire 2 1/2 hour trip home and the next day. In fact she's still telling all her family about it. I asked her if she wanted to go back next year and she didn't hesitate. "Oh yea Mom...I'm going back!!!" This is all because of the excellent staff and the "outstanding" program! The project is such a wonderful idea and just the entire overall program. Mariana said in reference to the Peer Pressure on and off the field..."Mom, I learned things I never thought about!" You can be proud because from what I heard on Friday morning from other parents and campers...you are making a difference in these girls lives!!--and
we mother's sincerely appreciate it! Also, Marnie: I just wanted to express my thanks to you for always answering emails promptly and when we had the issue with the refrigerator, I couldn't believe how fast you solved that problem. This camp is rated A+ in my book from the very beginning until the end. Keep up the fantastic work and you'll definitely being seeing us next year!!!
Margy Azevedo
I wanted to take some time to thank everyone at camp. I picked up Melanie yesterday and was amazed at much she had learned in a week's time. She not only loved the soccer but everything that was involved in become a leader and making her a stronger person. She is very excited about her community service project and explained all the details to me on the car ride home. She can't wait to come back next year and learn more about how she can help and how she can grow as a leader, on and off the field. She loved going to the YMCA and as already decided to volunteer at her neighborhood YMCA.
A special thanks to Pags, who happens to be a goalie like Melanie. She has inspired her to keep going, she said to me "Pags is my best friend, she is amazing". Thank you everyone for making her first camp experience this amazing. She will be talking about it till she returns next year.
Thank you
Fabienne Vidal
A special thanks to Pags, who happens to be a goalie like Melanie. She has inspired her to keep going, she said to me "Pags is my best friend, she is amazing". Thank you everyone for making her first camp experience this amazing. She will be talking about it till she returns next year.
Thank you
Fabienne Vidal
My daughter, Emma, just returned from her first JFSLA session at the Peddie School in New Jersey. It was her first time away from home and while I was a little nervous about that, after the first session, hearing from Ian Sawyer, Carla Overbeck, and the rest of the staff, I knew we had nothing to worry about.
Every day, in our brief conversations (since they are kept very busy!), we could hear both the excitement in our daughter's voice and her enthusiasm for the opportunity to "matter." By day two she was referring to Carla Overbeck as "Carla," and relaying the personal stories that she and your amazing staff shared.
She just got home yesterday and has already applied for a Julie Foudy grant and contacted the Interfaith Council for Homelessness of Morris County, NJ to get going on her community service project.
She also developed as a soccer player and fully enjoyed learning from such incredible players. In fact, she now aspires to play on the US National Team!
What an awesome program you have developed--Emma can't wait to come back next year and her 9 year old sister is counting down the time until she can also go.
Thank YOU for making such a difference in our daughter's life!
Tracy Blackwell
Every day, in our brief conversations (since they are kept very busy!), we could hear both the excitement in our daughter's voice and her enthusiasm for the opportunity to "matter." By day two she was referring to Carla Overbeck as "Carla," and relaying the personal stories that she and your amazing staff shared.
She just got home yesterday and has already applied for a Julie Foudy grant and contacted the Interfaith Council for Homelessness of Morris County, NJ to get going on her community service project.
She also developed as a soccer player and fully enjoyed learning from such incredible players. In fact, she now aspires to play on the US National Team!
What an awesome program you have developed--Emma can't wait to come back next year and her 9 year old sister is counting down the time until she can also go.
Thank YOU for making such a difference in our daughter's life!
Tracy Blackwell
Dear Marnie,
Thank you so much for all your help in giving Emily the opportunity through scholarship to attend the JFLSA camp. She had a terrific time and is looking forward to next year.
Thank you,
Vicki P.
Thank you so much for all your help in giving Emily the opportunity through scholarship to attend the JFLSA camp. She had a terrific time and is looking forward to next year.
Thank you,
Vicki P.
I just wanted to thank you and the entire JFSLA staff for creating such a wonderful experience for my daughter Catherine and her teammates. They were so inspired and full of enthusiasm toward soccer and community service when they came home. I am truly impressed by the professionalism that each and everyone of you exhibited before, during and after the session.
We will definitely be considering the JFSLA again next year.
Fondly,
Joan Stolberg
We will definitely be considering the JFSLA again next year.
Fondly,
Joan Stolberg
Dear Julie Foudy and all other coaches, counselors and people associated with the Foundation
My daughter, Madison, had the pleasure of attending your Chicago camp last week, and I’m writing to say Thank You.
After school let out last month, Madison went to a week-long soccer camp at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, and came home saying that “it was one of the best weeks of my life.” Well, after picking Madison up at the airport last week and listening to all her Julie Foudy camp stories, the Academy memories have taken second place – a distant second – in Madison’s memorable summer moments.
It all started in late spring when Madison announced to us that she was applying to attend a summer Julie Foudy Sports Leadership Academy session. I forgot all about it until I had the pleasure of speaking with Kerri McClellan who called to verify Madison’s application status (it’s nice to know my 20 years of military service is still appreciated) and to say there was a strong possibility of Madison receiving a scholarship. I can’t thank you enough for that. Without your scholarship, Madison’s dream of attending your Leadership Academy would have remained just that and I would have been denied her endless smile as she reminisces about all her Chicago experiences. Thank you, again, for being such a positive influence on my daughter.
Sincerely,
Alan Martin
My daughter, Madison, had the pleasure of attending your Chicago camp last week, and I’m writing to say Thank You.
After school let out last month, Madison went to a week-long soccer camp at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, and came home saying that “it was one of the best weeks of my life.” Well, after picking Madison up at the airport last week and listening to all her Julie Foudy camp stories, the Academy memories have taken second place – a distant second – in Madison’s memorable summer moments.
It all started in late spring when Madison announced to us that she was applying to attend a summer Julie Foudy Sports Leadership Academy session. I forgot all about it until I had the pleasure of speaking with Kerri McClellan who called to verify Madison’s application status (it’s nice to know my 20 years of military service is still appreciated) and to say there was a strong possibility of Madison receiving a scholarship. I can’t thank you enough for that. Without your scholarship, Madison’s dream of attending your Leadership Academy would have remained just that and I would have been denied her endless smile as she reminisces about all her Chicago experiences. Thank you, again, for being such a positive influence on my daughter.
Sincerely,
Alan Martin
First I would like to thank Julie and all the staff for an amazing experience for my daughter. She is still sharing thoughts and ideas she learned. I asked her if she learned more soccer or more about herself, and she responded the later particularly the pressures of school and what is expected of you in life and how to deal with it. Your curriculum is meaningful and presented in such a way that makes it applicable to them. I love the videos and pictures. I was wondering is there a way to get copies of the pictures or transfer them so we can print them?
Thank you again, please relay my appreciation to Julie and the staff, Morgan
thoroughly loved everyone!!
Michelle Lyon
Thank you again, please relay my appreciation to Julie and the staff, Morgan
thoroughly loved everyone!!
Michelle Lyon
from a former student and current Staff member:
Dear Julie,
Thank you so much for a wonderful week. I really enjoyed being on the other side. I just can’t help but come back each year. Each time is so much fun and I continued to learn just as much as a counselor as I did a camper. And thank you for all your support throughout the hot week. Hope all is well at the camp in California.
Sincerely,
Kat Dahlmeier
Dear Julie,
Thank you so much for a wonderful week. I really enjoyed being on the other side. I just can’t help but come back each year. Each time is so much fun and I continued to learn just as much as a counselor as I did a camper. And thank you for all your support throughout the hot week. Hope all is well at the camp in California.
Sincerely,
Kat Dahlmeier
Dear Team,
I just wanted to thank you all again for the wonderful week you provided for the Magic Bus girls. They still talk about the camp every day and aren't shy in telling me how the things we've been doing since Friday aren't as fun as what they did at JULIEFOODYCAMP (one word). Winnie was able to meet us up on Saturday and she got a wonderful reception from the team...they noticed her walking up and they all looked at one another, squinting, to see who it was and I heard a few whispers of "Is that coach?" and "Winnie?" and then they all yelled at once "VEEEEEEENNEEEEEEE" and dropped they bags and sprinted over and mobbed her! I hope Susan is prepared on Thursday...No one knows what will happen next year, but if I'm here and free for a week, I'd love to be part of your staff for next year's camp. I'd be honored.
Thanks,
Rahul
I just wanted to thank you all again for the wonderful week you provided for the Magic Bus girls. They still talk about the camp every day and aren't shy in telling me how the things we've been doing since Friday aren't as fun as what they did at JULIEFOODYCAMP (one word). Winnie was able to meet us up on Saturday and she got a wonderful reception from the team...they noticed her walking up and they all looked at one another, squinting, to see who it was and I heard a few whispers of "Is that coach?" and "Winnie?" and then they all yelled at once "VEEEEEEENNEEEEEEE" and dropped they bags and sprinted over and mobbed her! I hope Susan is prepared on Thursday...No one knows what will happen next year, but if I'm here and free for a week, I'd love to be part of your staff for next year's camp. I'd be honored.
Thanks,
Rahul
Thank you so much for sending these videos out. It almost seems like we are peeking into private moments the girls are having. Emily has been on cloud nine since she arrived at camp, and we could not be more grateful. She is loving the soccer, loving the trainers, LOVING the connections she has made with the girls from the Magic Bus (all have exchanged emails), and is so jazzed about doing something amazing with what she has learned at the camp. What the Foundation has done for her (and the other girls) cannot be measured in words, dollars, etc. It can only be measured in years, as what they are being taught will affect them in amazingly positive ways for MANY years to come. What JFSLA is doing for these girls is shaping what amazing humans they will become ! They will make a decision in the future, and it will all fall back to what they learned at JFSLA.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
All our love and appreciation for all you and the Foundation do,
Kevin and Lisa Wolfe (Emily Wolfe's parents)
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
All our love and appreciation for all you and the Foundation do,
Kevin and Lisa Wolfe (Emily Wolfe's parents)
If you've read this far, thank you…this is one of our staff favorites!
Hey Julie!! Well this is Sandy Phan.. I was a former jfsla attendee. I believe i attended the years 2006 and 2007. Well this is me updating you on my life and all its going ons. Well lets just start with a thank you for all that you and your camp have taught me. I left your camp brewing with confidence and teeming with ambition and it’s not at all a bad thing. I also learned lots of positive things that helped me on my way. I believe one of the most helpful so far has been fake it till you make it. I have indeed made it! Might I add also that I choose to matter So just so you know I am now 19 and am in college. I attend Golden West Community College. I am currently the starter goal keeper and possibly a captain for next year. I am doing things to help advocate for current and former foster youth. I was the Orange County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) first ever Outstanding Youth of the Year. I was in the Orange County Register and also on the Dr. Phil show. I have been giving speeches and speaking to groups of people about giving time to help children who have been neglected and or abused. I am and officer for three clubs on my school campus. I am currently taking on two projects one which helps former foster youth in college and another to help mothers who have children and are attending college as well. So I have a pretty full plate. I felt like I should let you know how I was doing and of course thank you for all that I was taught while on a scholarship at your camp.
Hoping all is well where you are
Sandy Phan also know as Sandy Phantastic:)
Hey Julie!! Well this is Sandy Phan.. I was a former jfsla attendee. I believe i attended the years 2006 and 2007. Well this is me updating you on my life and all its going ons. Well lets just start with a thank you for all that you and your camp have taught me. I left your camp brewing with confidence and teeming with ambition and it’s not at all a bad thing. I also learned lots of positive things that helped me on my way. I believe one of the most helpful so far has been fake it till you make it. I have indeed made it! Might I add also that I choose to matter So just so you know I am now 19 and am in college. I attend Golden West Community College. I am currently the starter goal keeper and possibly a captain for next year. I am doing things to help advocate for current and former foster youth. I was the Orange County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) first ever Outstanding Youth of the Year. I was in the Orange County Register and also on the Dr. Phil show. I have been giving speeches and speaking to groups of people about giving time to help children who have been neglected and or abused. I am and officer for three clubs on my school campus. I am currently taking on two projects one which helps former foster youth in college and another to help mothers who have children and are attending college as well. So I have a pretty full plate. I felt like I should let you know how I was doing and of course thank you for all that I was taught while on a scholarship at your camp.
Hoping all is well where you are
Sandy Phan also know as Sandy Phantastic:)