WHAT THE RILEY JEAN FOUNDATION IS DOING NOW....

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Every contribution enables us to support families in a variety of ways — from sharing helpful resources and guidance to offering financial assistance during times of need. This support may include providing groceries or meals, covering counseling services, or helping with medical bills and moving expenses.  Each family’s situation is unique, and we do our best to offer personalized care and compassion. Beyond financial help, we also dedicate our time, empathy, and presence — walking alongside families through some of their most difficult moments.

Each care box is thoughtfully assembled to bring comfort, connection, and support to families navigating the unimaginable loss of a child.  Families will find a beautiful, reusable blue keepsake box containing:

• Two books for parents that offered us profound guidance in our own journey
• A children’s grief book, selected based on the family’s circumstances
• Meaningful bracelets for the mother and children, if any
• A hand-held wooden cross 
• A personal letter offering guidance, comfort, and our direct contact information — so families know they are never alone
   

We also include gift cards tailored to each family’s individual needs.

These boxes are sent a few months after the loss, during a time when the initial outpouring of support has quieted and many families begin to feel the deep ache of absence. In those moments, our care boxes serve as a gentle reminder that others still see them, care for them, and walk beside them through their grief.

We are actively involved in both hosting and attending community events to raise awareness about window safety and accident prevention. At these events, we set up our Window Safety Table, which provides valuable information and facts about the dangers of window falls and practical steps families can take to prevent them.

To support families directly, we distribute free window control devices to anyone in need. We’ve also developed informational brochures on window safety, which we share at events, preschools, and other child-focused organizations to help educate parents and caregivers.

Through these efforts, we hope to empower families with knowledge and tools that can prevent future tragedies — turning awareness into meaningful action.

We are actively working to pass legislation that requires window safety control devices or protective screens on all new residential buildings. No apartment or high-rise window should open more than four inches unless a certified fall-prevention screen is installed.

Several states — including New York — already have laws like this in place. When New York implemented its window guard legislation in the 1970s, the rate of child window falls dropped by approximately 96%. This simple, low-cost measure has proven to be both effective and life-saving.

Our mission is to begin this effort in Florida, with the goal of expanding to every state that has yet to adopt similar protections. Every child, in every community, deserves a safe home environment.

In addition to new construction requirements, we are also advocating for legislation that addresses existing residential buildings. This could include:

• Adding a lease addendum that clearly warns tenants about potential window hazards
• Offering families with children under 10 years old the option to have window safety devices installed
• Providing simple awareness measures, such as visible warning labels on non-protective window screens
   

Even small steps — a label, a warning, a device — can save a life. Through advocacy, education, and collaboration, we aim to ensure that no family experiences a preventable tragedy.