Michael Jay Glantz Fund for Youth Experiencing Homelessness

Launched in 2019, the Michael Jay Glantz Fund for Youth Experiencing Homelessness (MJG Fund) honors the life and memory of Michael Jay Glantz. Combining his love of education, the compassion he showed for those experiencing homelessness, and the examples of tzedakah (justice) and tikkun olam (repairing of the world) that he provided, Michael’s daughter created this fund to ensure that his memory continues to be a blessing to others, just as his life was.

About Michael

One of the earliest memories Michael’s daughter has of her dad is him turning the car around and going back through the fast food drive-thru he had just come from to purchase a meal for a man who was camped out in the median, obviously experiencing homelessness. Years later, Michael volunteered his time as a photographer for a local Shakespeare troupe and spent a lot of time in the park where they rehearsed and performed. Michael was often seen giving food to people in the park who were experiencing homelessness. What was most significant to Michael’s daughter, though, was seeing him take the time to have conversations with them. Even the man who most people were afraid to engage with, Michael attempted to talk to, with his daughter watching wide-eyed. When asked about it, Michael told his daughter about the realities of homelessness, shattering her stereotypes, and teaching her through his example that people experiencing homelessness are first and foremost people, no different than her or him.

Though Michael’s life was cut short, his influence lives on in all who were blessed to know him, and his contribution toward making the world a better place continues through this fund.

About the Fund

According to the 2018 PIT (Point in Time) Count, 7.1% of the population experiencing homelessness in South Carolina are youth (defined by the PIT Count as ages 18-24). While tuition assistance is available to those who choose to attend college or a technical school, these students still have needs that often go unfilled. As administration fees are covered by Michael’s family, 100% of donations go to provide college-bound youth experiencing homelessness with:

• tuition gap (to avoid student loans)
• laptop, books
• room and board
• dorm furnishings
• laundry supplies
• meal plan assistance and dorm room snacks
• weather-appropriate clothing

Scholarship Details

 

The MJG Fund currently is available only to youth in the Columbia Metropolitan area (Richland and Lexington counties), which has the highest numbers of people experiencing homelessness in the Midlands, ages 18-24 who are either about to start college/technical school or already enrolled in college/technical school.

Case/social workers may refer applicants directly to the fund administrator or applicants may apply on their own online.

Stay Connected

To learn more about the youth population experiencing homelessness in the Midlands and to see how your donations are making an impact:

* Find us on Facebook (@MJGFund)
* Follow us on Instagram (@MJGFund)
* Follow us on Twitter (@MJGFund)
* Join our Email List (https://mailchi.mp/7a7a7e15dbf6/mjgfund)
* Email us at MGJFundInfo@gmail.com

Fund Administrators

• Cheryl Glantz Nail

Donations

CharitySmith accepts donations in two ways:

The above Memorial Fund is established as a division of Charitysmith Nonprofit Foundation (EIN 87-0636433). All donations are tax deductible in accordance with federal tax law. Receipts for tax purposes are sent via US Mail within two weeks of donation. Please consider asking if your employer participates in a gift-matching program. If so, your donation may be matched by your employer.

For questions regarding your donation or this memorial fund please contact CharitySmith.