A giving season message from LAJF Executive Director and CRS Alumna, Helene Mattera:

To our CRS community,

Imagine a world led by ethical and compassionate leaders. This is what we’re building together at Camp Rising Sun—and with your help, we can continue to make it a reality for generations of campers. As we close another impactful year, I want to thank you in advance for your support of our mission and investing in a future shaped by ethical leadership. 

Ethical leadership is more than just doing the right thing; it’s about making choices that inspire positive change, bring people together, and are rooted in a commitment to the common good. At Camp Rising Sun, young people from diverse cultures and backgrounds come together to learn not just about leadership, but about how to lead with integrity, empathy, and purpose. This is more than just a summer experience—it’s the start of a lifelong commitment to creating a better world.

Please take a few minutes to read this article about Camp Rising Sun and our commitment to ethical leadership. You’ll hear firsthand stories from our alumni about the impact Camp has had on their lives.

In a time when the world needs thoughtful leaders more than ever, Camp Rising Sun stands as a beacon, preparing young people to tackle tomorrow’s challenges with resilience and compassion. But to keep offering this transformative experience, we need your support.

Every gift you give ensures that we can continue offering full scholarships, which are about $8,000 per camper. Donations from the people in our community—like you—play a critical role in helping to provide these life-changing opportunities to young people ready to learn, grow, and make a difference. 

Your donation today helps more than just a single camper—it creates a ripple effect that reaches families, neighborhoods, and our global community at large. Alumni go on to create a positive impact wherever they go, sharing with others the values they cultivated at CRS. They grow into leaders in fields as varied as education, healthcare, business, and social justice. You make it possible for these young people to experience the transformative power of Camp Rising Sun and carry forward its mission of integrity and service to others.

Please consider making a generous gift today to pay it forward and keep ethical leadership thriving. With your help, campers will graduate from CRS not only with skills, but also with an unwavering sense of purpose and responsibility. Thank you for standing with us in our commitment to a brighter world. Through collective action, we can support the next generation of compassionate leaders who will shape our future.

With warmest gratitude,

Helene Mattera, LAJF Executive Director