Dear UUs,

My first official day as Executive Director began this summer during Rowe’s Centennial Celebration—a weekend where more than 125 Rowies gathered to sing, dance, and reconnect. I heard Rowe story after Rowe story of friendship, love, boundless fun, and self-discovery. Listening to these stories made one thing perfectly clear: for over a century, Rowe has changed peoples’ lives.

It certainly changed mine. My dad was a Rowe camper in the 1970s and when I was seven, he told me, “Pretty soon you’ll get to experience the place that made me who I am.” Years later, when I was a teenager, he shared a little more: he told me Rowe saved his life.

As I grew up at Young People’s Camp, Junior High, and Senior High, I experienced moments of both limitless joy and enormous grief. Because it was a safe place, I took risks. Rowe is where I came out, learned to lead people, felt my most human—and like my dad—became the person I am today. My family’s story is one among thousands.

At Rowe, we envision a world filled with people who are actively creating inclusive, participatory communities filled with joy, respect, love, and a little bit of weirdness. As Executive Director, my greatest wish is for Rowe to shape and change thousands more lives, no matter someone’s age or stage of life.

To make this possible, we need your support. Extreme storms last winter damaged several of our buildings, including our beloved Rec Hall, Farmhouse, Joffe House by the Brook, and the Maya Gold Pavilion. As an organization, we have been in a state of rebuilding for a couple of years. While we are closer to stability than we’ve been in a long time, these setbacks have had a grave impact on Rowe financially.

This fall, we’re asking you to contribute to the Spirit of Rowe Fund so we can raise $250,000 by December 31. Your gift will help us:

• Care for our campus so Rowe remains safe and welcoming to people of all ages.
• Fill the cabins by reaching more kids and giving them life-changing camp experiences.
• Build our leader pipeline with creative, pioneering camp and program leaders.

Early Bird Special! Give by October 31 and your gift will be doubled—thanks to a generous Rowe alum from the 1970s who will match the first $15,000 donated to the Spirit of Rowe Fund.

Please give today at rowecenter.org/give, by phone at 413-339-4954, or with the enclosed envelope. Together, we can keep Rowe strong for many future generations to come.

With Love and in the Rowe Spirit,

Jenna Cusack
Executive Director

P.S. I’d love to hear your story of how Rowe has changed your life. When you give to Rowe at rowecenter.org/give, please take a moment to share your experience. How did Rowe impact you? How does what you learned at Rowe show up in your life today?