On the Road Again
After Jane died from DIPG (brain cancer), the Harrell family struggled to return to daily routines of work and school. Grief drained their energy, yet Jane’s words — “KEEP GOING, it’s your job to change the world” — never left them. Soon, the Harrells found themselves volunteering at two Title 1 CMS schools: one serving K–8th grade (Renaissance West Steam Academy), and another 9th-12th (West Charlotte High School).
The needs were overwhelming — but so was the JOY, CURIOSITY, and WONDER from students when the family showed up to Science Night with pizza and ASTRONAUT ICE-CREAM.
Before launching, Jane’s Fund began filling critical gaps in schools — meeting needs that were often overlooked. Little did we know, future data would start to confirm our efforts help students show up, learn, and graduate.
School leaders educated Jane's Fund of the limited public funding for educational, athletic, and arts programs — especially in schools without PTAs or Booster Clubs.
As Jane’s Fund launches into our third school year, we never anticipated becoming a bridge that enables under-resourced schools to take students beyond their neighborhoods to experience the world outside the classroom.
What began with a single volunteer night has grown into partnerships with 14 under-resourced schools across CMS. Today, on Miracle Monday, students GO ON THE ROAD AGAIN, launching the start of dozens of field trips planned this year, both day and overnight, grades K–12:
K–1st Grade: Farm visits, petting zoos, musical performances, and library trips
2nd–3rd Grade: Discovery Place
4th Grade: Children’s Theater, Band Concerts
5th Grade: Camp Thunderbird Overnights, College Sporting Events
6th Grade: U.S. National Whitewater Center
7th Grade: Atlanta and Washington, D.C.
8th Grade: Charleston, Outer Banks, Carowinds
9th–12th Grade: College Visits, New York City, and the Zoo
“Jane's Fund is breaking down barriers for our students and providing opportunities they've never experienced before.”
— Assistant Principal Kevin Poirier, West Charlotte High School
"I've never been fishing before, and I caught two fish in one day. Thank you for sending us to Camp T.”
—Damon, student at Renaissance West Steam Academy
"It was the most fun days of my life, going to Atlanta and seeing the World of Coke and the aquarium with my friends."
--Elizabeth A, student at MLK Jr Middle School
Jane's Fund would not exist without you, and we need your help to continue to provide educational opportunities in under-resourced, CMS schools...our work has just begun!
