Today we’d like to introduce you to Robin Latimore.
Hi Robin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started my non-profit ten years ago. I saw a student who was very smart but due to her cancer diagnosis, and missing lots of school, she didn’t qualify for any scholarships. So, I made up one! The Robin Latimore Foundation gives scholarships to high school seniors and already matriculating college students, who have cancer or who are affected by cancer (immediate family member) and wish to further their education. I don’t send money to the school all the time. Most students with cancer have special needs as it relates to equipment and supplies. I want to be sure they have the funds to assist with that. If it’s the parent with cancer, I award the scholarship to assist the student OR the parent with things that are needed to assist with the smooth transition of matriculation. Another part of our mission is to conduct Lunch and Learn’s to educate our community about 4 cancers, Prostate, Breast, Colon, and HPV/Cervical Cancer. We do that Free of charge with the doctors I partner with. They supply the lunch and I supply the doctor.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No. It hasn’t been smooth and unfortunately, there’s always a struggle. One of my biggest struggles is the fact that I don’t look for my students to die. NEVER! My faith is very strong, and I believe God can do anything He wants to do. I’ve lost 4 students to cancer, and it broke me! I find myself asking God, “Why would you allow this to happen? I’m doing my part.” I foster relationships with these kids, so it hurts me when they go to heaven so soon. I just have to remember that God knows best and that I have mission that He purposed me with. I try to stay focused on that.
One other struggle is funding. I can’t seem to ‘wrangle up’ a corporate sponsor no matter how hard I try. I finance the foundation’s needs with donations and a few sponsorships. I’m waiting on God to speak to a company or benefactor that will see what we do and step up to assist.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
One of the many other things I do is perform. I’m a singer and I perform with my own band and other bands that hire me. I’ve done that since I went to college, and I love it. I do weddings, receptions, parties, holiday events, and clubs. I also produce acts and host for other music venues. I’m a choir director and have been since I was 17. I’m proud of the love and compassion my mother, a preacher, instilled in me for others. I love to see the smiles from audience members that are having a good time because of what I bring to the stage. It fuels me. Lots of people know me for singing and performing because there IS a difference. I guess I’m a bit of a comedian as well. I left a career in law enforcement, 26 years, to allow “my gift to make room” as the bible dictates it will; and it has. I’m so blessed.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
As far as my foundation, I’m confident that funding will come. When it does, I’ll expand the services that I offer to include mental health counseling services. There’s a stress factor there when you’re diagnosed with cancer, child or adult. But when your child dies, I try to keep the parent in my circle, inviting them to lunch or dinner or a show. But what they need is well above my means and expertise. So, the biggest change I foresee is offering counseling: as much as needed.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.robinlatimorefoundation.org
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/therobinlatimorefoundation/
Image Credits
Photos were taken by my makeup artist, Yolanda Aguayo on her cell phone. She’s cool.
