New Day Foundation for Families Welcomes Barbra Rill

New Day Foundation for Families, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing the financial burden and emotional stress caused by cancer, announced the addition of Barbra Rill to the staff as community development coordinator. The announcement was made by New Day Co-founder and President Gina Kell Spehn.  

As a resident of Rochester Hills since 2007, Rill brings more than 13 years of community service to the position, remaining actively involved in the local community, schools, and non-profit arenas. She previously served as the executive board president for the Rochester Community School District PTA Council, where she worked to improve collaboration between school administration, education associations, local government and police organizations.

One such initiative that Rill led was the partnership with Officer Amy Drehmer of the Rochester Police Department to initiate a presentation for secondary education families to attend on the dangers of vaping. Drahmer and Rill also helped to coordinate Operation Take Back, a prescription drug drop-off program, at various school functions.  

“Barb was instrumental in partnering with the police department to organize a prescription drug take -back program within the school district,” said Officer Drehmer. “This afforded parents the opportunity to properly dispose of prescription drugs at evening school events, in order to get them out of their houses where they may end up in the hands of children and teenagers. Thanks to her partnership, we have been able to collect a countless amount of prescription drugs, preventing them from getting into the wrong hands.”

Additionally, Rill established a 30-person social emotional wellness committee while on the Rochester Community PTA Council that included social workers, RCS counselors, parents and community members. This committee focused on anxiety and stress relief, suicide prevention, and the dangers of drug addiction. She also helped to apply for a grant to support over 200 teachers to receive mindfulness training to use for the classroom, helping to provide teachers and students with tools to calm their mind, focus, and be present in the classroom.

“We’re pleased to welcome Barb to the New Day staff,” said Kell Spehn.  “Her commitment to the local community along with her nonprofit board experience make her an ideal representative for our organization. We plan to host two more large fundraising events this year, so her event coordination experience will also be invaluable to our team.”

Rill is currently a board member for the Rochester Community Schools Foundation and Purposeful Youth Detroit, assisting with community relations, fundraising, and sponsorships for both organizations.

New Day Foundation for Families

A 2020 Top-Rated NonProfit by GreatNonprofits and Gold Level Guidestar organization, is a Rochester, Michigan, nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the effects of financial toxicity and emotional stress caused by cancer. Their programs are intended to have a positive impact on treatment outcomes and survivorship. New Day offers financial grants in the form of short- term bill payment services, as well as emotional support programs for families who have dependent children in the home as they face the burdens that accompany the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

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