First Lutheran Church Donates $10,000 to MFEE's LGBTQ+ Fund

Jackson's mother Margaret Whitsett (left), MFEE Executive Director Masiel Rodriquez-Vars (center), and Rev. Margarette Ouji, former pastor of First Lutheran. (MFEE photo)

The Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence is honored to be the recipient of a $10,000 gift from First Lutheran Church of Montclair to MFEE's Jackson Lightfoot Whitsett Memorial Fund.

The JLWMF was established in memory of MPS student Jackson Lightfoot Whitsett, with the goal of supporting and creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth across the Montclair Public Schools. 

MFEE is deeply grateful to First Lutheran leaders and church members for their generosity, which will help us build more inclusive and welcoming schools. As the church closes, its spirit of embracing neighbors across race, culture, gender identity, and orientation will continue on through their donations to MFEE and our wider community. Thank you, First Lutheran!

Through the JLWMF, MFEE has collaborated with The Trevor Project, a non-profit organization that provides suicide prevention, crisis support, research and advocacy for LGBTQ+ young people, to design and implement professional development training for staff at Montclair's middle schools. In addition, MFEE hosted allyship workshops

for families and caregivers. The JLWMF also presents an annual award to a Glenfield Middle School student who embodies Jackson's spirit of embracing individuality.