Testimonials
“All of us at Marin Dance Theatre thank you and your foundation so much for the investment you’re making in young athletes in Marin County. I am confident that Mia will use your generosity in such meaningful ways. Your willingness to support her will help her reach her potential and contribute to the path of her future.
On behalf of the Marin Dance Theater community we are grateful for you and your organization!”
~Lynn Cox, Artistic Director
“At the Mr. October Foundation, we are committed to empowering under-resourced communities through education and life-changing opportunities, especially in STEM and athletics. Supporting YES and seeing Kevin’s dreams of excelling in baseball while developing life skills, building character, building confidence, and building connections within our communities. Seeing Kevin step onto the field at the farewell softball game at the Oakland Coliseum alongside Reggie Jackson and Oakland’s incredible supporters was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when communities unite to inspire and uplift youth. Together, we are proud to provide experiences that connect, empower, and transform young lives”
“It takes a village. This phrase has become more commonly used in today’s society. In 2019 my wife, Lynette and myself Dan Fenton, had become compelled to make a difference with hurting children in need. At the time we were serving on a ministerial board through a Christian organization here in Sonoma County. We had an empty home at the time as our 4 children and six granda daughters, had moved onto their journeys in life. We decided to foster a child preferably an infant.
After being approved to become resource parents (Foster Parent), we received a call from a fostering/adoption agency. There was a sibling set of 5 children that the county’s desires was to keep these children together however they had been running out of options as there are so few open beds in the foster care system, much less to take five siblings at the same time.
It has been five years now since these incredible children were placed in our home. There have been many challenging moments over these years. These children had to endure an incredible amount of hard times, in so many ways prior to coming and living with us. I say that to say, that even though it has been challenging at times the opportunity to make a life time impact on these children have been one of the most incredible experiences of my life.
Once we realize the children would never go home to their biological family. We started to embark on the journey of adoption and parenting for the long run as opposed to temporary safe housing. We would have to seek other individuals or organizations to lock arms with us in this process. In effort to make sure these children could experience the beautiful opportunity our great country has to offer.
One of the children Kevin, came to us as an 8 year old, but was 10 at the time that he had shown an incredible amount of athleticism. He had never had an opportunity to play any organized sport because of his families situations. I know from my personal experience of playing youth sports and many years of coaching youth that the best way to assist Kevin in meeting his potential in life was going to be with the experience playing sports.
When Kevin came to us He was a shy ,scared quiet little boy, Yet incredibly sweet. He had gone through many hardships and struggles in his short years of life, ones that no child should ever have to endure. I’ve never had the opportunity to get so closed to a sweet loving child like Kevin and love having him call me Mom, says Lynette.
Kevin excelled immediately playing baseball and within 2 years became 1 of the dominant players in the Little League where he played and became an all-Star in a short period of time. He started healing from his past and learning an immense amount of life lessons. Sports started to make the impact, I was hoping it would. He started holding his head up and believing he could accomplish goals as long as he continued to focus and work had. He has come a long way in his academics, and is loved by his teachers and faculty of the school he attends.
Because he has come so far internally, academically, socially, emotionally and in sports. We have had to peruse people and organizations that would appreciate Kevin’s past and have a heart for helping children meet everything God and life has for them. Opportunities have been presented to Kevin that give him the ability to accomplish so much in life. Playing competitive travel baseball, training with major league coaches and ex MLB coaches. He was even offered the opportunity of life time to travel to the Dominican Republic this coming summer with and incredible organization. He will receive training from New York Yankees Coaches, play games, give back to more needed children . I feel like this will impact his life in a special way.
“It takes a village”. When you have multiple children that come from difficult situations and your desire is to see them have the opportunity to excel in life. It takes incredible people and organizations to accomplish, no one can do this alone.
I was introduced to an incredible organization Youth Experience Sponsorship and Mike Glasser. They have opened doors of opportunity by sponsoring Kevin in many areas. He most likely would not have these opportunities otherwise. It takes incredible people like this to lock arms with and truly make a difference in this world. “It takes a village”.
~Dan Fenton, Kevin’s Foster (And Currently Adopting) Dad