Jennifer Tresh - The Elena Tresh Foundation
Led by founder and CEO Jennifer Tresh, The Elena Tresh Foundation provides personalized support for families faced with the terminal or catastrophic illness of a child. The Elena Tresh Foundation offers funding for necessities such as food, shelter, and transportation for children and their families. During the holiday season, The Elena Tresh Foundation assists families in creating a joyful celebration by allowing each child under the age of 18, including healthy siblings, to request up to 3 gifts. Parents may also request items essential to their household. Through the Foundation, Jennifer Tresh also encourages happy gatherings at the time of the child’s birthday: The Elena Tresh Foundation provides gift cards, decorations, and party supplies. Envisioning The Elena Tresh Foundation as the real-life memorial to the daughter she lost to brain cancer, Jennifer Tresh does not receive a salary from the Foundation. A nonprofit organization, The Elena Tresh Foundation operates with the financial support of numerous fundraisers and individual and corporate donors. Furthermore, Jennifer Tresh has personally ensured the continued existence of The Elena Tresh Foundation through her own financial support. As a result of her own unfortunate experience, Jennifer Tresh understands that terminally ill children and their families need support that extends beyond simple funding. Jennifer Tresh created the counseling services of The Elena Tresh Foundation to help individuals deal with many issues, including grief and alcoholism. Working side by side with families, The Elena Tresh Foundation also helps individuals find and take advantage of other available resources. In downtown Safety Harbor, Florida, The Elena Tresh Foundation plans to offer additional services through Elena’s Place, a haven for sick children and their families. There, The Elena Tresh Foundation envisions a garden where children can play, learn, and interact while in an environment that is largely protected from infectious threats. Through Elena's Place, The Elena Tresh Foundation also hopes to offer support groups in an understanding community and daycare for siblings while children undergo medical treatments.