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Ever wonder how impactful philanthropy really is? This episode takes you into the world of transformative giving with Drs. Leighan and David Rinker, unwavering supporters of Place of Hope. Get a glimpse into their life-changing philanthropic journey, their passion for travel and education, and their sincerely held belief in leaving a lasting legacy.
Taking a closer look at the growth and future of Florida, we journey into the legacy of Drs. Leighan and David Rinker's philanthropy. Hear firsthand accounts about David's father's role in their company's development, their support for various organizations, and their perspective on Florida's evolving landscape. Grasp the significance of a robust legacy, and its influence on the Rinkers' philanthropic endeavors. Their sincere efforts in supporting the vulnerable in our community is truly a beacon of hope.
In the final lap of our conversation, we delve into the hands-on approach of the Rinkers to their philanthropy at Place of Hope. Dr. Leighan Rinker's inspiring role in expanding the Angel Moms community and their forward-thinking preparation for the organization's future is truly thought-provoking.
Moreover, learn about the God's Children. Our Future Campaign, and Place of Hope's unique initiative to create an advisory council of youth. From providing insight into the organization's functioning to impacting lives, the Rinkers are the embodiment of thoughtful philanthropy.
Host: Charles L. Bender III, Founding CEO and Board Member of Place of Hope
Title Sponsor: Crypto Capital Venture | Follow Dan Gambardello's on Twitter (@cryptorecruitr)
Looking for assistance in south Florida? Visit VillagesOfHope.net
Link: Visit the Place of Hope Website, PlaceOfHope.com
Connect with Place of Hope on social media: Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | LinkedIn
Email the Show: POHPodcast@PlaceOfHope.com
-----------------
Producer: Maya Elias
Copyright of Place of Hope 2023.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Charles Bender (00:02):
Hello and thank you for tuning in to Ambassadors
of Hope.
I'm your host, charles Bender.
We're so excited that you'vetuned in to hear from local
South Florida leaders who aremaking a difference in our
community and region through ourcharity Place of.
Hope.
Lisa Inman-McDulin (00:16):
Dr.
Leighan and David Rinker engagein a heartfelt conversation
about their impactfulphilanthropy, focusing on their
involvement with Place of Hope,our non-profit organization
dedicated to aiding the mostvulnerable in our community.
Their commitment to educationand travel led to the
establishment of travel studyprograms with a primary emphasis
(00:38):
on positively transforming thelives of children and youth.
Dr.
Leighan Rinker's deep passionfor children and the desire to
leave a lasting legacy becameevident in their support for
Place of Hope, and they commendthe organization's financial
structure, particularly its lackof debt and low overhead.
This amazing couple highlightsthe transformative work
(01:02):
happening at Place of Hope,emphasizing the importance of
intentional philanthropy and theneed for organizations to plan
for the future by buildingendowments.
Their support extends beyondfinancial contributions, with
Rinker actively involved in theestablishment of the Leanne and
David Rinker campus at Place ofHope.
(01:23):
This project faced challengesinitially, but ultimately became
a catalyst for positive changewithin the community.
This conversation resonateswith gratitude for the success
stories of individuals who havebenefited from Place of Hope's
programs, creating a cycle oftransformation and giving back.
Overall, their dialogueunderscores the couple's
(01:46):
unwavering commitment to makinga meaningful impact in the lives
of disadvantaged childrenthrough intentional philanthropy
and dedicated support for Placeof Hope.
Charles Bender (01:57):
We want to give a special thanks and shout out
to our presenting sponsor,crypto Capital Venture.
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If you're interested in crypto,you can join over 300,000
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Thanks so much, dan and ourfriends at Crypto Capital
Venture.
Maya Elias (02:30):
Welcome to Seat of Hope.
I'm your producer, Maya Lias.
Today, I wanted to share withyou all the story of our 2023
outstanding youth of the year,Jayla Hazel.
Jayla shared her remarkablejourney as one of 11 siblings
facing adversity at an early ageduring our 10th anniversary
Hope Bash, Boca Gala with oursupporters.
(02:51):
Jayla shared that her motherhad become overwhelmed with so
many kids that she unfortunatelyended up mistreating two of
them, so much so to an extentthat she locked them together in
a closet for two years.
Eventually, one of the boys wasable to escape and report the
situation to authorities.
It was at that time that Jaylaand her siblings were removed
(03:13):
from the home.
Jayla, along with three of heryounger siblings, were placed at
Place of Hope.
She was only 15 years old.
Despite the challenges, Jaylafound solstice and support at
Place of Hope, where acompassionate staff led by the
dedicated Gina Fosio advocatedfor her and her siblings.
Reflecting on her foster careexperience, Jayla expresses her
(03:37):
initial fears, which werereplaced by a warm and welcoming
environment.
In this safe and nurturingspace, she flourished
academically, crediting herfoster parents for their
impactful role in her life.
Having aged out of Place of Hope, Jayla seamlessly transitioned
to university life anddiscovered her passion for
elementary education.
(03:58):
Grateful for the opportunity topursue higher education, she is
currently a senior at FloridaAtlantic University, aspiring to
obtain her master's ineducation, with the ultimate
goal of becoming a principal.
Jayla attributes herachievements to the unwavering
support, encouragement and lifeskills provided by Place of Hope
(04:18):
.
She emphasizes the pivotal roleit played in shaping her future
and acknowledges the invaluablesupport that has allowed her to
break barriers within herfamily.
In closing, Jayla inspired byProverbs 31-8, courageously
speaks up for those who cannotadvocate for themselves, urging
(04:38):
continued support for the vitalwork of Place of Hope in the
community.
She extends a heartfelt thankson behalf of all residents, both
past and present, recognizingthe collective impact of support
in transforming lives.
Charles Bender (04:57):
Drs.
Leanne and David Rinker.
Thank you guys for being heretoday and being on our show.
The ambassadors for Hope.
You guys are the quintessentialambassadors for Place of Hope
and have been for many years.
Hard to believe we're alreadycelebrating 10 years of our
Leanne and David Rinker campusin Boca.
That's crazy to me that we'vealready had 10 years fly by, but
we're thankful for you guys tobe here today and talk a little
(05:19):
bit about what's going on atPlace of Hope and your
leadership in Place of Hope.
And I think you know a lot ofpeople know especially if they
have any kind of real history inthis area the many
philanthropic contributions youguys have made, your making and
probably even plan to make inthis area.
You've just done some reallybreathtaking things, from the
(05:41):
colleges to groups like Place ofHope to other places that you
have a passion for and we're.
So I know we're grateful forthat, but I know our community
as a whole is grateful for that.
So there's that philanthropicpoint.
But I want to have you guysjust talk a little bit about
just yourselves and what makesyou go.
And I know philanthropy is abig part of that, but there's
(06:01):
the personal side too.
So we want to see if you talk alittle bit about that today.
Dr. Leighan Rinker (06:07):
All right, well, I can kick it off.
I'm, as I said, leanne Rinkerand obviously I'm Dave's wife.
We met at Stetson University hewas a senior when I came as a
freshman and we got married thesummer of my junior year.
(06:28):
He was in the army at FortBragg and we've been married now
almost 60 years and have fourchildren and 14 grandchildren
and a new puppy, and which is ajoy and the bane of our
existence, both, but more thananything else.
(06:53):
If I were to describe myself, Iwould say I'm a child advocate,
because most of my life has beencentered around children in
multiple different ways.
I'm the founder and owner of anearly childhood program I
started in 39 years ago, andthese are the little bitty ones
(07:19):
from 12 months up through five,so we give them a real strong,
good beginning.
I love doing that, and I'd likeDave to introduce himself and
tell you all about what hispassion is.
Dr. David Rinker (07:37):
I'm Dave Rinker.
My father came to South Floridain 1925.
He came from Indiana.
It was a very different placein those days.
It was hot and there was lotsof bugs and people didn't stay
down here in the summertime.
As I went through school, Iremember so much that everybody
(08:02):
left in the summertime and wehad our beaches to ourselves.
It was an area that I enjoyed.
It was a.
I began to pay attention to thehistory of what went on down
here and my father went, boughta dump truck, started hauling
(08:24):
rock and sand, started mixing itwith cement and making concrete
and that was probably the mostimportant thing you could have
done in South Florida.
We used to tell our people atRinker Materials if you can't
make money selling concrete inFlorida, you probably shouldn't
try.
Say it because that's what wedid and therefore we became very
(08:47):
, very much a part of thecommunity and my father got
involved in things like thecommunity chest and then he
worked with the Boy Scouts andthen he worked with the YMCA and
things like that.
He always told us that we gave,we didn't just consume.
He was a real inspiration to us, yeah that's awesome.
Charles Bender (09:13):
So you guys were physically building this
community.
That was swamp and bugs in alot of ways, and you were I
guess maybe the word might beexistentially as well, but
philanthropically you werebuilding the community as well,
and so many lives have just been, you know, impacted as a result
.
I know you sit on board of afoundation, as do you, leanne.
(09:35):
Tell us a little bit about that, because I know, look, I mean,
here's the way it goes right,ambassadors for Hope.
When people that are out there,and especially in the charity
world and the philanthropicworld, and there are great
leaders out there, everybody'safter you, everybody wants you
to get involved, because we needto be surrounded by great
leaders.
Thank God, we've had you guysfrom part of this for the last
10 years and many, many more tocome.
(09:55):
But talk about some of theother things that you guys are
involved in.
Dr. Leighan Rinker (10:00):
Well, both of us are real believers in good
, strong higher education and wevery much want to make it
accessible to those kids whohave the desire and the ability
to get a good education and thenuse that education in their
lives.
(10:20):
And so Dave is currently on theboard of Stetson University.
As I said, that's where we met,and I am on the board of Ferman
University.
Three of our four children wentthere.
The fourth child went toStetson, and we have both been
(10:41):
on the board of Roberts WesleyanUniversity, which is in
Rochester, new York, becausewe're firm believers in higher
education and so much of what wehave done through our
foundation is also to supportuniversities in terms of direct
(11:02):
scholarships to children andopportunities for them to do
research, internships, get theireducation paid for and so forth
.
Charles Bender (11:12):
Changing their lives.
Dr. Leighan Rinker (11:13):
But also, and again, a lot of this was
started by his father, docRanker, and that is we currently
support, through thefoundations, the early childhood
literacy.
We support urban youth, wesupport habitat for humanity.
We support many, multiple,multiple, different things in
(11:38):
this community of Palm BeachCounty, because Doc Ranker
always said I want to give backright here where I made my money
.
Charles Bender (11:48):
Yeah, you guys have certainly done that and
continue to do it in a big way.
We didn't mention that.
Dr.
Rinker, you're also a memberof the board of directors of
Place of Hope now for many years, and we're grateful for that.
Dr. Leighan Rinker (11:59):
I will tell you and I mean this from my
heart my association with theadministration, the volunteers,
the staff, the house, parentsand certainly the children at
Place of Hope.
This has been one of thegreatest blessings of my life.
Charles Bender (12:19):
Really has.
Well, you all have been atremendous blessing to all of us
too.
You light up a room when youcome in and people are excited
to see both of you and talk withyou.
Now, listen, everybody knowsthat knows me.
I am a Florida junkie.
I love everything.
Florida, old Florida, talk alittle bit about over the years,
especially with RinkerMaterials being the main company
(12:40):
that was involved in probablyhaving its hand in the building
of everything down here fromMiami although which used to be
called Miami right Used to beMiami.
Dr. David Rinker (12:49):
Still Miami, that's right.
Charles Bender (12:50):
Still Miami to me too, but all the way up to
here and past here.
But talk a little bit about howyou've seen, because we talk
about this growth and all thesepeople coming here and it's good
, it's not all bad, but it hasdefinitely changed things.
I mean, I remember one time youtold me a story, dave, about in
the historic building therethat's there for the yacht club
in West Palm, and you weretelling me you pointed out the
(13:13):
window, like look right overthere and there used to be, I
think, nbc studios, used to betheir way back.
Now there's a big tower condo,but before that, you said you
used to roll up on the.
What were those things?
The bring in the ships thatwould bring in the creed and
just dump it right there and thetrucks would come and get the
raw materials and take it to theplant.
And talk a little bit about howyou've seen Florida change.
Dr. David Rinker (13:37):
Well, there was a lot of people involved.
First of all, my father was themoving person who started the
company and such as that.
The place you were talkingabout was right down near the
Palm Beach Yacht Club and it waswhere he brought in his rock
and sand from Dade County and itwas the site of our first
Ritimix plant.
(13:57):
But there were a lot of peopleinvolved.
I mean there were a lot ofemployees.
A lot of those employees workedwith my dad and also he helped
create the foundation.
So it wasn't just one person.
It was a lot of people wholooked at the community and said
here's what we want to do to bepart of the community and
(14:18):
Leanne mentioned a few, butPlace of Hope was a big one but
Save the Children I made a listof the Boy Scouts and the YMCA
that the people in thefoundation and these are
businessmen within West PalmBeach area supported it and it
(14:40):
was wonderful to see them allcome together and do things like
Junior Achievement, NicholasHealthcare Center, the Special
Olympics.
It was just what we knew wewere supposed to be doing.
Charles Bender (14:55):
Yeah, I love it, but you've also seen, just as I
mean, I think you told me oneday too, maybe even close to
where your school is there was aday when military trail was it
right?
You didn't go past like West ofmilitary trail far for much of
anything, right.
Dr. David Rinker (15:11):
No, and now you didn't go West unless you
wanted to go fishing, and thatwas a different kind of fish.
Military trail for us was adirt road when I was in high
school.
It originated on LoxanatcheeRiver and went all the way down
(15:31):
to the New River in what is nowBroward County.
And it was built after theSecond Seminole War to bring
troops from Loxanatchee to theNew River and to build a new
fort.
And what was fun was the like.
The major who was in charge ofbuilding the fort wasn't told
(15:52):
what to name it, so he named itafter himself.
His name was Billy Lauderdale.
It became Fort Lauderdale Ilove these tidbits.
I can't go to Fort Lauderdalewithout thinking about Billy
Lauderdale from Tennessee.
Charles Bender (16:05):
Yeah, that is awesome.
Dr. David Rinker (16:07):
Yeah.
Charles Bender (16:08):
What do you, how do you all feel about the
future aspirations of our state?
How do you, how do you thinkwe're going in a good direction?
I mean, I know we got tons ofpeople coming.
We got to be ready for that,and there's water issues and
road issues and so forth, butwhat do you think about the
future of Florida?
Dr. David Rinker (16:23):
It's getting very crowded and Florida grew
very rapidly because we had noincome tax and we had no
inheritance tax as such, and nowthe people are coming in faster
than the infrastructure can bebuilt Right and it's it's going
to change our tax structure andjust driving here this morning
(16:47):
you can see the intersectionsthat are going to be needed to
be changed.
It's going to be very crowdedand a lot of the people who come
from the North they will bebringing things that they are
familiar with and we're not, soI think there'll be changes.
Charles Bender (17:04):
Yeah, I definitely think, and it's, and
it's all over the whole state ofFlorida to drive in order to
see my mom very recently justgoing across, you know, highway
60, yeehaw Junction even that'sall changing and then you get
over there and onto the otherside of the coast, other coast,
and it's like it lookscompletely different, like where
I grew up after Miami was.
It was cow pastures and that'sit for miles, and now pretty
(17:27):
much all of them are gone.
It's just completely different.
But you know, and alsounfortunately, one of the things
that that brings is going to bean increase in an increase in
the cases of child neglect andabuse and the exploitation of
children and vulnerablepopulations.
And so you know obviously moreof the reason we need to see
place of hope continue to growand meet those needs.
(17:48):
But overall I still think,personally I think it's the best
, best state in the nation byfar.
Would you agree?
Dr. Leighan Rinker (17:55):
I would agree.
I would say right now, at anyrate, I wouldn't want to be
living anywhere else, right, andI wanted to just interject that
anyone who is interested inFlorida history might want to
read the book A Land Remembered.
Charles Bender (18:14):
I've read it, love it.
Dr. Leighan Rinker (18:17):
I had not read it.
Dave had urged me for years toread it, and so I finally read
it this summer, and I loved ittoo, and it really gave me a
totally different understandingof the origins of Florida, what
it was like, and I wouldencourage anybody who, as I said
, is interested in Floridahistory to get that book and
(18:40):
read it.
Charles Bender (18:40):
One of the things I like is how you just
talked about, was it BillyLauderdale?
Yeah, when you read that bookyou find all these other names
and a lot of them were in Miaminames of streets till to this
day, but they reflect on them inthat book where those people
came from.
It's just fascinating to me Ilove it it is.
(19:01):
So tell us a little bit abouthow you think you came to all
the things you're involved in.
You've also said, obviously,when we know that education is a
big part of what drives youguys, but how about the
vulnerable populations?
How about these kids at placeof vote?
What got you really looking inthat direction, to pour so much
time and energy and resourceinto helping the least of these?
Dr. Leighan Rinker (19:23):
Well, if I may, I'd like to share a little
bit answer that question, butalso share a little bit of how
we came to that About 10 yearsago now.
I've been on the place in placeof hope nine years.
About 10 years ago, dave and Iwere talking we usually do at
(19:43):
the beginning of every year alot of planning for that whole
year and we were talking aboutthe word legacy and what legacy
actually means, and according tothe dictionary, it means
something passed down, and forus, as we talked about it, it
(20:05):
meant that part of yourself thatyou leave behind after you go
on.
And so we further discussedthis over a period of time and
for Dave and he can interject atany time, but I think it's a
little bit of a bit of a periodof time and for Dave and he can
(20:27):
interject at any time he reallybelieved in the value and
importance of travel, globaltravel in particular, to open up
horizons for, again, childrenbecause that's our main focus
(20:48):
and youth and how it can be lifechanging for them in a good way
.
And so he really thought, ifthere had to be one primary
focus, he wanted it to be that,and, as a result, we created
(21:08):
travel, study programs at a highschool where our kids were
going to school, and at threedifferent universities, and they
thrive to this day.
For me, I got to thinking as wetalked about it and later, what
(21:29):
gives my life meaning?
What is the one thing that ismost meaningful to me and my
life?
And I realized it's children.
It's my own children, ourchildren, it's your children,
it's everybody's children, andso I thought that is what I
(21:54):
would like my legacy to be, andI have worked with children all
my life.
I was supposed to be apediatrician, you know.
I instead ended up an educator,taking care of children and
educating them, and at any rate.
So I thought I don't eventhough I was on two national
boards at the time to raise thelevel of care for children
(22:17):
throughout the United States.
I wanted something right hereat home, palm Beach County.
So I started looking and doingresearch and, lo and behold, I
came across place of hope, andso I just did a cold call for a
tour.
I remember this like it wasyesterday and I liked what I saw
(22:40):
and then I met with Charles andI met with members of the board
and this was back in 2014 andso it went from there, and what
impressed me most was not justthe opportunity to transform
children's lives which is thegreatest investment you can make
(23:03):
in your life, as far as I'mconcerned, to transform them for
better but it was becauseeverybody I worked with and met,
from the volunteers to thestaff, to the administration, to
the board, to everybody theyhad a passion.
(23:23):
It was a passion that drovethem in terms of creating the
best life possible for the mostdisadvantaged and sometimes
traumatized children in ourcounty, and I thought this is
where I belong and it's where mypassion met.
(23:47):
Part of the world's need.
Charles Bender (23:51):
And you're building that legacy now.
Dr. Leighan Rinker (23:53):
That's the thing I like about legacy.
Charles Bender (23:55):
It's not just when we've moved on, because
we're all gonna move, that's onething we all know.
We're all gonna move on fromhere one day, right.
But to start building thatlegacy before, right and a lot
of people.
Don't get that you know they'reso busy on doing this and the
other, but you're laying a trail, you're seeing rewards of that
in the changed lives and it'sjust to me that's.
That's super exciting.
(24:15):
And I know and I'm gonna askLisa to speak to this too that
you happen to be one of herfavorite people on the planet.
And we would not have, we wouldnot have the Leanne and David
Rinker campus, we wouldn't evenhave it called something else,
if it wasn't for you guys,because that was a monstrous
project for us to take on as anorganization that had a ton
going on already.
And they, as many people knowthat Charity went out of
(24:37):
business, handed us thistremendous asset of 15 acres in
Boca, with buildings and soforth and a history that we
needed to try to resurrect,because there was a time they
were doing great things.
But had you guys not stepped upthe way you did, it would not
be there today and not juststepped up but continued on with
.
And you know we talk all thetime.
We were talking earlier at lunchabout some of the cool things
(25:01):
we're starting to do now forthat campus.
But also that campus has becomea catalyst for other campuses,
for other initiatives, for newprograms, for more changed lives
, and you all are entrepreneurstoo, just like we are, as we
know, and it's like the thingthat's been so exciting is that
you've been there as a boardmember as well, and you both
been there as tremendoussupporters, allowing us to even
(25:23):
be entrepreneurial in thatcampus as needs have arisen and
changed over time, and to seethat you know we started with
this and now it's somethingdifferent, and that probably
never changed, because it that'spart of the blessing of it is
that you, in your leadership,you understand we're gonna be
about meeting needs.
We're not gonna be just abouthaving this place to show people
and say, look at us doing goodthings.
(25:45):
No, no, no, we're gonna.
We're gonna try to be on thecutting edge of it at all times,
and I'm telling you we would.
We just wouldn't have what wehave if it wasn't for you guys.
And you're you're making alegacy now and your leadership
in doing so.
Dr. Leighan Rinker (25:57):
Well, I want to say two things.
One, it's all God's grace.
That's right.
God is working through people,throughout place of hope, from
its its initial conception towhat it has become and is
continuing to become.
And in regard to legacy,because it's such a critical
part of our lives, or should be,people are making legacies that
(26:23):
are going to go on afterthey're no longer here, whether
they're intentional or not, butnow is the time.
I don't care if you're 18 yearsold or if you're 80 years old.
Now is the time to beintentional about it.
Charles Bender (26:39):
Love that word intentional intentionality.
Intentionally, I love it, butnot everybody gets that.
We were talking earlier abouthow important is it for an
organization to, at some pointin its lifetime hopefully
earlier than than later begin tothink about the future and
current leadership, moving onand so forth and building that
endowment, that that that safetynet of savings for the future.
(27:02):
And I know both of you are hugeadvocates in all your different
capacities for endowments andwe're thankful to say we're on
the road of doing that with yourhelp and leadership as well, at
place of hope.
Dr. David Rinker (27:13):
So one of the things that impressed me about
what Lee and wanted to do wasthe financial structure of place
of hope.
How much debt do you have?
Charles Bender (27:25):
Is that a real question?
None, you have no debt, that'sright.
Dr. David Rinker (27:29):
And when the foundation, the Rinker
Foundation, from the familylooks at organizations to give
to, that's one of the things welook at.
We look at those that have lowoverhead and also have no debt,
and so it was very, very easy tochoose a place of hope to be
(27:53):
involved with.
Sure, they do a lot ofwonderful things, but it's not
putting a minute to debt andit's easy to bring other people
in.
Charles Bender (28:02):
Yeah, well, thank you for saying that, but
of course, you've been involvedas a board member in making sure
that that stays that way aswell.
Yes, lisa tells me particularlyLeanne as an angel mom.
Talk about that a little bit.
About wow, because you justsaid you're bringing in other
people right.
That is so key.
That's the whole point ofambassador as a hope we're
hoping people here and getinspired and want to do
(28:23):
something right.
But that's how it's transpiredwith our angel moms in Boca and
what would that be like hadLeanne not stepped up and been a
driving force still is.
Lisa Inman-McDulin (28:35):
Absolutely Well.
I'm so grateful for yourleadership.
And you said the word.
You used the word intentional.
You are very intentional aboutyou don't just show up for the
board meetings, you come to thecampus, you get involved in
putting events together.
You're one of our event chairsfor our 10th annual Hope Bash
(28:57):
this year.
You want to be kept aware andabreast of all the activities
that are going on, whetherthey're volunteer opportunities
with education and enrichment orthrough the angel mom
leadership board or whateverelse may be going on at the
campus.
You like to be kept aware.
And then you also like toengage and be involved.
(29:19):
You're very hands on and that isso impressive to me that you
immerse yourself the way thatyou do and you're very
intentional about that.
But what is so valuable aboutthat is that the other women in
the community who are involvedin us they see that you are that
way and that is such a benefitto the organization because it
(29:43):
encourages them to step forwardand use their skills, their
talent, their resources, maybein the same way that you are,
maybe in their own different way.
And what Charles said about thegrowth of angel moms over the
course of the last nine or 10years.
A big part of that is due toyour influence and bringing
(30:06):
friends.
I think about one person inparticular, and you know what
I'm talking about.
Dr. Leighan Rinker (30:10):
Yes, I do.
Lisa Inman-McDulin (30:12):
And we were talking about hummingbirds and
chickadees.
Yes, she's a hummingbird, yes,and so I think about that, and I
mean, that's how that wholefamily of amazing women have
come together is definitely dueto impart your leadership and
your influence on those women.
Dr. Leighan Rinker (30:32):
Well, you're very sweet to say that I hadn't
thought of it that way.
As a matter of fact, if yourecall, back when we dedicated
what I call my cottage for sixgirls, charles, when we had that
dedication, I had brought you alittle statue and I explained
(30:55):
to everybody that Lisa is reallythe force behind all of this,
and I feel that way.
I believe that I've seen it,I've observed it, I've been part
of it and I want to thank you,charles.
The people you surroundyourself with are extraordinary.
They're extraordinary and, as Isaid earlier in conversation,
(31:20):
the passion that they have forwhat we do at Place of Hope.
I'm sure they run intoobstacles and stumble on rocks
and things on the path, but theyget up and brush themselves off
and they start all over again.
They're amazing.
Charles Bender (31:43):
Absolutely.
We have so much to be gratefulfor, just over the years too.
But even just this point intime, now we're talking about
this campaign that we'velaunched, because one of the
other things you guys have bothbeen big about and talking about
is that, you know, looking atthat transition for later for
the organization, like what isour plan 10 years out, 15 years
(32:03):
out, and preparing for that, andI don't think that we thought
at that time.
I thought we'd come up withsome pretty standard answers to
that, like most organizations do, and we did that.
And then it became somethingbigger.
How are we ever going to get tothe point of we're going to
build this thing out that God'sentrusted us to, that, given us
these properties and thesecampuses, and do it in a
(32:23):
meaningful way, keeping us withno debt, building up that
endowment and then, of course,building, obviously debt-free.
You've got to build thosebuildings debt-free.
So now we're in it.
It's just amazing, and so, yeah, I think the place of hope is
going to look completelydifferent nine years from now
than it currently does, and asit does look completely
different than it did nine yearsago.
(32:45):
So, speaking to that, if each ofyou maybe think of what's one
of the things that's excited youthe most that you've seen
happen at play, so whether it'san investment you made, whether
it's one particular child you'veheard speak or get to know, or
the idea that finally because Iknow you've even said to me
finally seeing us move in thisdirection of building an
(33:06):
endowment for the future, that's, that's a seed you planted a
long time back, and what'ssomething that really kind of
motivates you in terms ofsomething that's just had a huge
impact at play.
Dr. Leighan Rinker (33:16):
So Well, you know, this may seem small to
other people, but to me it wasbig.
As I mentioned earlier, I wasable to underwrite and help
support the total renovationthis was like in 2016, I think
(33:40):
of a cottage and it was going tobe a cottage for six girls, and
Lisa led that charge and reallydid an incredible job, getting
so many things, all thefurnishings, donated and so
forth, and when it the buildingand the reconstruction were
(34:01):
finally complete, it was abeautiful place to live, for
anyone to live.
I would move in and I keptthinking in my head about these
six girls and the kinds ofbackgrounds they would be coming
from that were so traumatic andthis would be a new beginning
(34:22):
for them.
Well then, we got, finally, ourCEO, our certificate of
occupancy, our CEO and we hadthe dedication and so forth.
The next thing I knew place ofhope maybe it was Charles got a
(34:43):
phone call that there were fivesiblings, two boys, three girls,
who were almost homeless.
In fact, they were virtually ina very bad situation and they
needed a place to stay quickly,right away, and we had just
(35:04):
gotten the CEO, and so I thinkwe sent a van over to get them.
We did, and these children Iget emotional about this were
brought over because we did havethe bets we could take them.
Charles Bender (35:26):
Life impacted immediately I mean, god knew it
from day one, but we didn't knowthat that was gonna take place
and the fact that you could sayyes and have put the energy and
the time and the resources intomaking that available and, as
you know, it continued forward.
After that, just one life afteranother.
Dr. David Rinker (35:43):
You asked what got me excited about Place of
Hope and it's one part of ourmeetings when we have, I get
together at the Boca campus andyou have one of the students or
one of the kids give a talkabout what has happened in his
(36:03):
or her life.
And I began to realize thatonce they go through the Place
of Hope program, they getinvolved in other things that
we're familiar with, likehabitat.
As they get older they actuallybuy a house and get involved
and then they get on the boardsand in the management of these
(36:27):
things and we're creatingcitizens that come on up.
That I love when they stand upand you say we wanna hear from
this person and what they'redoing.
We're creating some wonderfulpeople.
Charles Bender (36:43):
I love that too.
I was with one of our young menthe other day and he came all
the way up from the Boca campusto do kind of a magazine article
thing that they were doing atStuart Magazine that's coming
out, and I looked at him and Isaid thank you for coming all
the way.
There are two young men.
I thanked him separately and Isaid thank you to this one young
man and he goes.
He goes.
No, thank you, he goes.
This is my way of giving backnow.
(37:03):
I don't have money right now.
He goes, but this is how I canhelp pay.
I said, well, you don't owe usanything.
He goes.
I know he says, but this iswhat I wanna do and I'm grateful
to be able to do it.
But one thing I can very coolthing I can report to you on is
for a long time I've wanted tocreate an advisory council of
our youth and so a non-fiduciaryboard council and I got someone
(37:27):
on our team is making a bunchof the calls to a lot of the
youth that we're still in touchwith and right now I think we're
up over 30 young people haveall said yes, I don't think we
had anybody tell us no, and a 30young people have all said yes
to wanting, and one of them saidI prayed about this.
I always hoped there'd be a waythat I could formally get
(37:49):
involved and give back and givemy insights and my thoughts to
how Place of Hope is and how itruns, and so forth.
All of them are giving usquotes, like, give us a quote.
Okay, you want one right now.
Yes, and so Joy's on the phonewith them and they're giving
quotes about their experienceand well, this one says a lot
Because look, you could leavehere and you could just be done.
You could just close the doorbehind you, and that was part of
(38:11):
my life, right?
But so many of them elect tocome back to give us their highs
and their lows, tell us whenthey're having a great time in
life, introduce us to their ownchildren and then join an
advisory council like this now,where they're gonna sew into.
And it's funny because we weretalking before about how 10
years ago, it was one thing and10 years from now it would be
another.
But a lot of these kids willsay to us well, we didn't have a
gymnasium when we were on thecampus, or we didn't have an
(38:34):
enrichment center.
And they're right, they did.
They still loved it, though,and they still talk so highly
about it.
But I think it says a lot whenyou can have these young people
coming back and wantingproactively, with no strings
attached.
Dr. Leighan Rinker (38:45):
Well, that's wonderful and they're
appreciative and they recognizethe value that their lives have
been transformed and they'llplay it forward.
Charles Bender (38:57):
They'll pay it forward Well that's the idea,
right, we honor God in it, andthen we hope that lives and
hearts are changed to where theynever wanna repeat, maybe, what
they had walked through.
And certainly don't.
We all wanna see a better timefor our own children, right?
That's the whole idea is we doour best so that they even have
even better than we did, and Ithink we're inculcating that,
we're getting them to understandthat so that they don't end up
(39:18):
in a pinched position that maybethey were in.
Dr. Leighan Rinker (39:21):
And the wonderful thing also I have to
mention is exciting to me thatwe have so many single moms with
little ones, Because talk aboutcreating, not only transforming
a life of a youth, but creatingand molding and developing a
(39:44):
very positive life for a littleone coming up Absolutely
absolutely.
Charles Bender (39:49):
And a lot of times, when some of these moms
are in a really bad position,they can't even see through the
forest about a quality of lifefor their children and what we
do see is that there is arepetition in that cycle and
those kids will end up gettingremoved oftentimes, and it's
super unfortunate.
But if we can as a community,as an organization, as a group
of leaders, ambassadors of hope,we can come together and
(40:11):
actually change that trajectoryby providing stable, loving
housing and an example for themto live by Again, not giveaways,
but lifting them up togetherand giving them the tools out of
the toolbox to do well.
And then, all of a sudden, theycan start looking like that.
They can look at their childand say not only is he or she
safe and stable, but now theycan start thinking about their
futures for them and thenshowing them by example, because
(40:33):
now they're doing it.
They're doing the hard work,the hard steps to get past their
past traumas and get on astable footing and do something
with their lives, be citizens,like you said, dave, and we're
creating citizens.
And if we can keep those kidstogether out of foster care, out
of the child welfare system,simply because it might've been
a case of poverty or it might'vebeen a case of just unstable
(40:53):
housing.
Well, we've accomplished a lotof things at one time, and so
that's what this is all about.
You all know that.
We're thankful that you guyscontinue to sow into it, and
we're excited that people aregonna hear this message from you
guys as leaders in thiscommunity, much bigger than
Place of Hope, but also a bigpart of Place of Hope, big for
us at Place of Hope, and we justthank you for coming today and
(41:18):
appreciate everything you guysare all about and why you do
what you do and how lives areimpacted.
Dr. Leighan Rinker (41:24):
Thank you very much.
We are blessed, we are trulyblessed, by being a part of this
, so we have to thank you too.
Charles Bender (41:32):
Thank you, dave, thank you, you all bless you
both.
Thank you.
Lisa Inman-McDulin (41:37):
Welcome to this segment called Hope and
Action.
Today, we would like to sharewith you all about our God's
Children Our Future campaign.
This campaign is atransformative initiative
dedicated to shaping a brighterfuture for vulnerable children
in Southeast Florida, with avisionary plan extending from
2023 and beyond.
(41:58):
The campaign's $100 millionfundraising goal over the next
decade aims to address criticalneeds, including annual
operations, capital improvements, residential housing and an
innovation center.
Backed by the unique advantageof debt-free real estate, place
of Hope seeks to ensuresustainability and strategic
(42:20):
expansion with the support ofphilanthropists in our community
.
Central to this effort is theSolomon Society, a distinguished
giving society comprised ofindividuals committing over $1
million in support for thisdecade-long fundraising effort.
This distinguished cohort ofsupporters will lead and serve
(42:41):
as ambassadors who guide, directand bolster the effort and
organization.
They will be invited to sharetheir stories and inspire others
.
Members will be celebrated,recognized and invited to
invitation-only experiences, aswell as gatherings with local
leaders.
The campaign's holistic visionincludes enrichment programming,
(43:02):
human trafficking recovery,transitional housing and an
innovation center, all anchoredin the organization's core
values of faith, family andaccountability.
Place of Hope's history,beginning with a mission to
Romania and evolving into anationally recognized force
since its 2001 inceptionunderscores its commitment to
(43:25):
providing a full continuum ofcare for abused, neglected,
trafficked and homeless childrenand families in the region.
Through this campaign, place ofHope aims to empower lives,
restore broken ones and ensure apromising future for every
child in its care.
Charles Bender (43:43):
Thank you for listening.
Please be sure to subscribe andshare with your friends so you
don't even miss a thing, and ifyou really gained value today,
please be sure to give us afive-star review so, of course,
we can be put in front of morelisteners For details and show
notes about today's podcast andhow you can connect with and
support our guests.
Please go to placeofhopecom'sforward slash podcast and please
(44:05):
don't forget to email us atpohpodcastatplaceofhopecom.
And, for sure, follow us onsocial media.
Aciders of Hope.
Placing Hope Child's Touch.
Hello and thank you for tuning in to Ambassadors
of Hope.
I'm your host, charles Bender.
We're so excited that you'vetuned in to hear from local
South Florida leaders who aremaking a difference in our
community and region through ourcharity Place of.
Hope.
Lisa Inman-McDulin (00:16):
Dr.
Leighan and David Rinker engagein a heartfelt conversation
about their impactfulphilanthropy, focusing on their
involvement with Place of Hope,our non-profit organization
dedicated to aiding the mostvulnerable in our community.
Their commitment to educationand travel led to the
establishment of travel studyprograms with a primary emphasis
(00:38):
on positively transforming thelives of children and youth.
Dr.
Leighan Rinker's deep passionfor children and the desire to
leave a lasting legacy becameevident in their support for
Place of Hope, and they commendthe organization's financial
structure, particularly its lackof debt and low overhead.
This amazing couple highlightsthe transformative work
(01:02):
happening at Place of Hope,emphasizing the importance of
intentional philanthropy and theneed for organizations to plan
for the future by buildingendowments.
Their support extends beyondfinancial contributions, with
Rinker actively involved in theestablishment of the Leanne and
David Rinker campus at Place ofHope.
(01:23):
This project faced challengesinitially, but ultimately became
a catalyst for positive changewithin the community.
This conversation resonateswith gratitude for the success
stories of individuals who havebenefited from Place of Hope's
programs, creating a cycle oftransformation and giving back.
Overall, their dialogueunderscores the couple's
(01:46):
unwavering commitment to makinga meaningful impact in the lives
of disadvantaged childrenthrough intentional philanthropy
and dedicated support for Placeof Hope.
Charles Bender (01:57):
We want to give a special thanks and shout out
to our presenting sponsor,crypto Capital Venture.
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(02:19):
, just go to YouTube and searchCrypto Capital Venture and make
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Thanks so much, dan and ourfriends at Crypto Capital
Venture.
Maya Elias (02:30):
Welcome to Seat of Hope.
I'm your producer, Maya Lias.
Today, I wanted to share withyou all the story of our 2023
outstanding youth of the year,Jayla Hazel.
Jayla shared her remarkablejourney as one of 11 siblings
facing adversity at an early ageduring our 10th anniversary
Hope Bash, Boca Gala with oursupporters.
(02:51):
Jayla shared that her motherhad become overwhelmed with so
many kids that she unfortunatelyended up mistreating two of
them, so much so to an extentthat she locked them together in
a closet for two years.
Eventually, one of the boys wasable to escape and report the
situation to authorities.
It was at that time that Jaylaand her siblings were removed
(03:13):
from the home.
Jayla, along with three of heryounger siblings, were placed at
Place of Hope.
She was only 15 years old.
Despite the challenges, Jaylafound solstice and support at
Place of Hope, where acompassionate staff led by the
dedicated Gina Fosio advocatedfor her and her siblings.
Reflecting on her foster careexperience, Jayla expresses her
(03:37):
initial fears, which werereplaced by a warm and welcoming
environment.
In this safe and nurturingspace, she flourished
academically, crediting herfoster parents for their
impactful role in her life.
Having aged out of Place of Hope, Jayla seamlessly transitioned
to university life anddiscovered her passion for
elementary education.
(03:58):
Grateful for the opportunity topursue higher education, she is
currently a senior at FloridaAtlantic University, aspiring to
obtain her master's ineducation, with the ultimate
goal of becoming a principal.
Jayla attributes herachievements to the unwavering
support, encouragement and lifeskills provided by Place of Hope
(04:18):
.
She emphasizes the pivotal roleit played in shaping her future
and acknowledges the invaluablesupport that has allowed her to
break barriers within herfamily.
In closing, Jayla inspired byProverbs 31-8, courageously
speaks up for those who cannotadvocate for themselves, urging
(04:38):
continued support for the vitalwork of Place of Hope in the
community.
She extends a heartfelt thankson behalf of all residents, both
past and present, recognizingthe collective impact of support
in transforming lives.
Charles Bender (04:57):
Drs.
Leanne and David Rinker.
Thank you guys for being heretoday and being on our show.
The ambassadors for Hope.
You guys are the quintessentialambassadors for Place of Hope
and have been for many years.
Hard to believe we're alreadycelebrating 10 years of our
Leanne and David Rinker campusin Boca.
That's crazy to me that we'vealready had 10 years fly by, but
we're thankful for you guys tobe here today and talk a little
(05:19):
bit about what's going on atPlace of Hope and your
leadership in Place of Hope.
And I think you know a lot ofpeople know especially if they
have any kind of real history inthis area the many
philanthropic contributions youguys have made, your making and
probably even plan to make inthis area.
You've just done some reallybreathtaking things, from the
(05:41):
colleges to groups like Place ofHope to other places that you
have a passion for and we're.
So I know we're grateful forthat, but I know our community
as a whole is grateful for that.
So there's that philanthropicpoint.
But I want to have you guysjust talk a little bit about
just yourselves and what makesyou go.
And I know philanthropy is abig part of that, but there's
(06:01):
the personal side too.
So we want to see if you talk alittle bit about that today.
Dr. Leighan Rinker (06:07):
All right, well, I can kick it off.
I'm, as I said, leanne Rinkerand obviously I'm Dave's wife.
We met at Stetson University hewas a senior when I came as a
freshman and we got married thesummer of my junior year.
(06:28):
He was in the army at FortBragg and we've been married now
almost 60 years and have fourchildren and 14 grandchildren
and a new puppy, and which is ajoy and the bane of our
existence, both, but more thananything else.
(06:53):
If I were to describe myself, Iwould say I'm a child advocate,
because most of my life has beencentered around children in
multiple different ways.
I'm the founder and owner of anearly childhood program I
started in 39 years ago, andthese are the little bitty ones
(07:19):
from 12 months up through five,so we give them a real strong,
good beginning.
I love doing that, and I'd likeDave to introduce himself and
tell you all about what hispassion is.
Dr. David Rinker (07:37):
I'm Dave Rinker.
My father came to South Floridain 1925.
He came from Indiana.
It was a very different placein those days.
It was hot and there was lotsof bugs and people didn't stay
down here in the summertime.
As I went through school, Iremember so much that everybody
(08:02):
left in the summertime and wehad our beaches to ourselves.
It was an area that I enjoyed.
It was a.
I began to pay attention to thehistory of what went on down
here and my father went, boughta dump truck, started hauling
(08:24):
rock and sand, started mixing itwith cement and making concrete
and that was probably the mostimportant thing you could have
done in South Florida.
We used to tell our people atRinker Materials if you can't
make money selling concrete inFlorida, you probably shouldn't
try.
Say it because that's what wedid and therefore we became very
(08:47):
, very much a part of thecommunity and my father got
involved in things like thecommunity chest and then he
worked with the Boy Scouts andthen he worked with the YMCA and
things like that.
He always told us that we gave,we didn't just consume.
He was a real inspiration to us, yeah that's awesome.
Charles Bender (09:13):
So you guys were physically building this
community.
That was swamp and bugs in alot of ways, and you were I
guess maybe the word might beexistentially as well, but
philanthropically you werebuilding the community as well,
and so many lives have just been, you know, impacted as a result
.
I know you sit on board of afoundation, as do you, leanne.
(09:35):
Tell us a little bit about that, because I know, look, I mean,
here's the way it goes right,ambassadors for Hope.
When people that are out there,and especially in the charity
world and the philanthropicworld, and there are great
leaders out there, everybody'safter you, everybody wants you
to get involved, because we needto be surrounded by great
leaders.
Thank God, we've had you guysfrom part of this for the last
10 years and many, many more tocome.
(09:55):
But talk about some of theother things that you guys are
involved in.
Dr. Leighan Rinker (10:00):
Well, both of us are real believers in good
, strong higher education and wevery much want to make it
accessible to those kids whohave the desire and the ability
to get a good education and thenuse that education in their
lives.
(10:20):
And so Dave is currently on theboard of Stetson University.
As I said, that's where we met,and I am on the board of Ferman
University.
Three of our four children wentthere.
The fourth child went toStetson, and we have both been
(10:41):
on the board of Roberts WesleyanUniversity, which is in
Rochester, new York, becausewe're firm believers in higher
education and so much of what wehave done through our
foundation is also to supportuniversities in terms of direct
(11:02):
scholarships to children andopportunities for them to do
research, internships, get theireducation paid for and so forth
.
Charles Bender (11:12):
Changing their lives.
Dr. Leighan Rinker (11:13):
But also, and again, a lot of this was
started by his father, docRanker, and that is we currently
support, through thefoundations, the early childhood
literacy.
We support urban youth, wesupport habitat for humanity.
We support many, multiple,multiple, different things in
(11:38):
this community of Palm BeachCounty, because Doc Ranker
always said I want to give backright here where I made my money
.
Charles Bender (11:48):
Yeah, you guys have certainly done that and
continue to do it in a big way.
We didn't mention that.
Dr.
Rinker, you're also a memberof the board of directors of
Place of Hope now for many years, and we're grateful for that.
Dr. Leighan Rinker (11:59):
I will tell you and I mean this from my
heart my association with theadministration, the volunteers,
the staff, the house, parentsand certainly the children at
Place of Hope.
This has been one of thegreatest blessings of my life.
Charles Bender (12:19):
Really has.
Well, you all have been atremendous blessing to all of us
too.
You light up a room when youcome in and people are excited
to see both of you and talk withyou.
Now, listen, everybody knowsthat knows me.
I am a Florida junkie.
I love everything.
Florida, old Florida, talk alittle bit about over the years,
especially with RinkerMaterials being the main company
(12:40):
that was involved in probablyhaving its hand in the building
of everything down here fromMiami although which used to be
called Miami right Used to beMiami.
Dr. David Rinker (12:49):
Still Miami, that's right.
Charles Bender (12:50):
Still Miami to me too, but all the way up to
here and past here.
But talk a little bit about howyou've seen, because we talk
about this growth and all thesepeople coming here and it's good
, it's not all bad, but it hasdefinitely changed things.
I mean, I remember one time youtold me a story, dave, about in
the historic building therethat's there for the yacht club
in West Palm, and you weretelling me you pointed out the
(13:13):
window, like look right overthere and there used to be, I
think, nbc studios, used to betheir way back.
Now there's a big tower condo,but before that, you said you
used to roll up on the.
What were those things?
The bring in the ships thatwould bring in the creed and
just dump it right there and thetrucks would come and get the
raw materials and take it to theplant.
And talk a little bit about howyou've seen Florida change.
Dr. David Rinker (13:37):
Well, there was a lot of people involved.
First of all, my father was themoving person who started the
company and such as that.
The place you were talkingabout was right down near the
Palm Beach Yacht Club and it waswhere he brought in his rock
and sand from Dade County and itwas the site of our first
Ritimix plant.
(13:57):
But there were a lot of peopleinvolved.
I mean there were a lot ofemployees.
A lot of those employees workedwith my dad and also he helped
create the foundation.
So it wasn't just one person.
It was a lot of people wholooked at the community and said
here's what we want to do to bepart of the community and
(14:18):
Leanne mentioned a few, butPlace of Hope was a big one but
Save the Children I made a listof the Boy Scouts and the YMCA
that the people in thefoundation and these are
businessmen within West PalmBeach area supported it and it
(14:40):
was wonderful to see them allcome together and do things like
Junior Achievement, NicholasHealthcare Center, the Special
Olympics.
It was just what we knew wewere supposed to be doing.
Charles Bender (14:55):
Yeah, I love it, but you've also seen, just as I
mean, I think you told me oneday too, maybe even close to
where your school is there was aday when military trail was it
right?
You didn't go past like West ofmilitary trail far for much of
anything, right.
Dr. David Rinker (15:11):
No, and now you didn't go West unless you
wanted to go fishing, and thatwas a different kind of fish.
Military trail for us was adirt road when I was in high
school.
It originated on LoxanatcheeRiver and went all the way down
(15:31):
to the New River in what is nowBroward County.
And it was built after theSecond Seminole War to bring
troops from Loxanatchee to theNew River and to build a new
fort.
And what was fun was the like.
The major who was in charge ofbuilding the fort wasn't told
(15:52):
what to name it, so he named itafter himself.
His name was Billy Lauderdale.
It became Fort Lauderdale Ilove these tidbits.
I can't go to Fort Lauderdalewithout thinking about Billy
Lauderdale from Tennessee.
Charles Bender (16:05):
Yeah, that is awesome.
Dr. David Rinker (16:07):
Yeah.
Charles Bender (16:08):
What do you, how do you all feel about the
future aspirations of our state?
How do you, how do you thinkwe're going in a good direction?
I mean, I know we got tons ofpeople coming.
We got to be ready for that,and there's water issues and
road issues and so forth, butwhat do you think about the
future of Florida?
Dr. David Rinker (16:23):
It's getting very crowded and Florida grew
very rapidly because we had noincome tax and we had no
inheritance tax as such, and nowthe people are coming in faster
than the infrastructure can bebuilt Right and it's it's going
to change our tax structure andjust driving here this morning
(16:47):
you can see the intersectionsthat are going to be needed to
be changed.
It's going to be very crowdedand a lot of the people who come
from the North they will bebringing things that they are
familiar with and we're not, soI think there'll be changes.
Charles Bender (17:04):
Yeah, I definitely think, and it's, and
it's all over the whole state ofFlorida to drive in order to
see my mom very recently justgoing across, you know, highway
60, yeehaw Junction even that'sall changing and then you get
over there and onto the otherside of the coast, other coast,
and it's like it lookscompletely different, like where
I grew up after Miami was.
It was cow pastures and that'sit for miles, and now pretty
(17:27):
much all of them are gone.
It's just completely different.
But you know, and alsounfortunately, one of the things
that that brings is going to bean increase in an increase in
the cases of child neglect andabuse and the exploitation of
children and vulnerablepopulations.
And so you know obviously moreof the reason we need to see
place of hope continue to growand meet those needs.
(17:48):
But overall I still think,personally I think it's the best
, best state in the nation byfar.
Would you agree?
Dr. Leighan Rinker (17:55):
I would agree.
I would say right now, at anyrate, I wouldn't want to be
living anywhere else, right, andI wanted to just interject that
anyone who is interested inFlorida history might want to
read the book A Land Remembered.
Charles Bender (18:14):
I've read it, love it.
Dr. Leighan Rinker (18:17):
I had not read it.
Dave had urged me for years toread it, and so I finally read
it this summer, and I loved ittoo, and it really gave me a
totally different understandingof the origins of Florida, what
it was like, and I wouldencourage anybody who, as I said
, is interested in Floridahistory to get that book and
(18:40):
read it.
Charles Bender (18:40):
One of the things I like is how you just
talked about, was it BillyLauderdale?
Yeah, when you read that bookyou find all these other names
and a lot of them were in Miaminames of streets till to this
day, but they reflect on them inthat book where those people
came from.
It's just fascinating to me Ilove it it is.
(19:01):
So tell us a little bit abouthow you think you came to all
the things you're involved in.
You've also said, obviously,when we know that education is a
big part of what drives youguys, but how about the
vulnerable populations?
How about these kids at placeof vote?
What got you really looking inthat direction, to pour so much
time and energy and resourceinto helping the least of these?
Dr. Leighan Rinker (19:23):
Well, if I may, I'd like to share a little
bit answer that question, butalso share a little bit of how
we came to that About 10 yearsago now.
I've been on the place in placeof hope nine years.
About 10 years ago, dave and Iwere talking we usually do at
(19:43):
the beginning of every year alot of planning for that whole
year and we were talking aboutthe word legacy and what legacy
actually means, and according tothe dictionary, it means
something passed down, and forus, as we talked about it, it
(20:05):
meant that part of yourself thatyou leave behind after you go
on.
And so we further discussedthis over a period of time and
for Dave and he can interject atany time, but I think it's a
little bit of a bit of a periodof time and for Dave and he can
(20:27):
interject at any time he reallybelieved in the value and
importance of travel, globaltravel in particular, to open up
horizons for, again, childrenbecause that's our main focus
(20:48):
and youth and how it can be lifechanging for them in a good way
.
And so he really thought, ifthere had to be one primary
focus, he wanted it to be that,and, as a result, we created
(21:08):
travel, study programs at a highschool where our kids were
going to school, and at threedifferent universities, and they
thrive to this day.
For me, I got to thinking as wetalked about it and later, what
(21:29):
gives my life meaning?
What is the one thing that ismost meaningful to me and my
life?
And I realized it's children.
It's my own children, ourchildren, it's your children,
it's everybody's children, andso I thought that is what I
(21:54):
would like my legacy to be, andI have worked with children all
my life.
I was supposed to be apediatrician, you know.
I instead ended up an educator,taking care of children and
educating them, and at any rate.
So I thought I don't eventhough I was on two national
boards at the time to raise thelevel of care for children
(22:17):
throughout the United States.
I wanted something right hereat home, palm Beach County.
So I started looking and doingresearch and, lo and behold, I
came across place of hope, andso I just did a cold call for a
tour.
I remember this like it wasyesterday and I liked what I saw
(22:40):
and then I met with Charles andI met with members of the board
and this was back in 2014 andso it went from there, and what
impressed me most was not justthe opportunity to transform
children's lives which is thegreatest investment you can make
(23:03):
in your life, as far as I'mconcerned, to transform them for
better but it was becauseeverybody I worked with and met,
from the volunteers to thestaff, to the administration, to
the board, to everybody theyhad a passion.
(23:23):
It was a passion that drovethem in terms of creating the
best life possible for the mostdisadvantaged and sometimes
traumatized children in ourcounty, and I thought this is
where I belong and it's where mypassion met.
(23:47):
Part of the world's need.
Charles Bender (23:51):
And you're building that legacy now.
Dr. Leighan Rinker (23:53):
That's the thing I like about legacy.
Charles Bender (23:55):
It's not just when we've moved on, because
we're all gonna move, that's onething we all know.
We're all gonna move on fromhere one day, right.
But to start building thatlegacy before, right and a lot
of people.
Don't get that you know they'reso busy on doing this and the
other, but you're laying a trail, you're seeing rewards of that
in the changed lives and it'sjust to me that's.
That's super exciting.
(24:15):
And I know and I'm gonna askLisa to speak to this too that
you happen to be one of herfavorite people on the planet.
And we would not have, we wouldnot have the Leanne and David
Rinker campus, we wouldn't evenhave it called something else,
if it wasn't for you guys,because that was a monstrous
project for us to take on as anorganization that had a ton
going on already.
And they, as many people knowthat Charity went out of
(24:37):
business, handed us thistremendous asset of 15 acres in
Boca, with buildings and soforth and a history that we
needed to try to resurrect,because there was a time they
were doing great things.
But had you guys not stepped upthe way you did, it would not
be there today and not juststepped up but continued on with
.
And you know we talk all thetime.
We were talking earlier at lunchabout some of the cool things
(25:01):
we're starting to do now forthat campus.
But also that campus has becomea catalyst for other campuses,
for other initiatives, for newprograms, for more changed lives
, and you all are entrepreneurstoo, just like we are, as we
know, and it's like the thingthat's been so exciting is that
you've been there as a boardmember as well, and you both
been there as tremendoussupporters, allowing us to even
(25:23):
be entrepreneurial in thatcampus as needs have arisen and
changed over time, and to seethat you know we started with
this and now it's somethingdifferent, and that probably
never changed, because it that'spart of the blessing of it is
that you, in your leadership,you understand we're gonna be
about meeting needs.
We're not gonna be just abouthaving this place to show people
and say, look at us doing goodthings.
(25:45):
No, no, no, we're gonna.
We're gonna try to be on thecutting edge of it at all times,
and I'm telling you we would.
We just wouldn't have what wehave if it wasn't for you guys.
And you're you're making alegacy now and your leadership
in doing so.
Dr. Leighan Rinker (25:57):
Well, I want to say two things.
One, it's all God's grace.
That's right.
God is working through people,throughout place of hope, from
its its initial conception towhat it has become and is
continuing to become.
And in regard to legacy,because it's such a critical
part of our lives, or should be,people are making legacies that
(26:23):
are going to go on afterthey're no longer here, whether
they're intentional or not, butnow is the time.
I don't care if you're 18 yearsold or if you're 80 years old.
Now is the time to beintentional about it.
Charles Bender (26:39):
Love that word intentional intentionality.
Intentionally, I love it, butnot everybody gets that.
We were talking earlier abouthow important is it for an
organization to, at some pointin its lifetime hopefully
earlier than than later begin tothink about the future and
current leadership, moving onand so forth and building that
endowment, that that that safetynet of savings for the future.
(27:02):
And I know both of you are hugeadvocates in all your different
capacities for endowments andwe're thankful to say we're on
the road of doing that with yourhelp and leadership as well, at
place of hope.
Dr. David Rinker (27:13):
So one of the things that impressed me about
what Lee and wanted to do wasthe financial structure of place
of hope.
How much debt do you have?
Charles Bender (27:25):
Is that a real question?
None, you have no debt, that'sright.
Dr. David Rinker (27:29):
And when the foundation, the Rinker
Foundation, from the familylooks at organizations to give
to, that's one of the things welook at.
We look at those that have lowoverhead and also have no debt,
and so it was very, very easy tochoose a place of hope to be
(27:53):
involved with.
Sure, they do a lot ofwonderful things, but it's not
putting a minute to debt andit's easy to bring other people
in.
Charles Bender (28:02):
Yeah, well, thank you for saying that, but
of course, you've been involvedas a board member in making sure
that that stays that way aswell.
Yes, lisa tells me particularlyLeanne as an angel mom.
Talk about that a little bit.
About wow, because you justsaid you're bringing in other
people right.
That is so key.
That's the whole point ofambassador as a hope we're
hoping people here and getinspired and want to do
(28:23):
something right.
But that's how it's transpiredwith our angel moms in Boca and
what would that be like hadLeanne not stepped up and been a
driving force still is.
Lisa Inman-McDulin (28:35):
Absolutely Well.
I'm so grateful for yourleadership.
And you said the word.
You used the word intentional.
You are very intentional aboutyou don't just show up for the
board meetings, you come to thecampus, you get involved in
putting events together.
You're one of our event chairsfor our 10th annual Hope Bash
(28:57):
this year.
You want to be kept aware andabreast of all the activities
that are going on, whetherthey're volunteer opportunities
with education and enrichment orthrough the angel mom
leadership board or whateverelse may be going on at the
campus.
You like to be kept aware.
And then you also like toengage and be involved.
(29:19):
You're very hands on and that isso impressive to me that you
immerse yourself the way thatyou do and you're very
intentional about that.
But what is so valuable aboutthat is that the other women in
the community who are involvedin us they see that you are that
way and that is such a benefitto the organization because it
(29:43):
encourages them to step forwardand use their skills, their
talent, their resources, maybein the same way that you are,
maybe in their own different way.
And what Charles said about thegrowth of angel moms over the
course of the last nine or 10years.
A big part of that is due toyour influence and bringing
(30:06):
friends.
I think about one person inparticular, and you know what
I'm talking about.
Dr. Leighan Rinker (30:10):
Yes, I do.
Lisa Inman-McDulin (30:12):
And we were talking about hummingbirds and
chickadees.
Yes, she's a hummingbird, yes,and so I think about that, and I
mean, that's how that wholefamily of amazing women have
come together is definitely dueto impart your leadership and
your influence on those women.
Dr. Leighan Rinker (30:32):
Well, you're very sweet to say that I hadn't
thought of it that way.
As a matter of fact, if yourecall, back when we dedicated
what I call my cottage for sixgirls, charles, when we had that
dedication, I had brought you alittle statue and I explained
(30:55):
to everybody that Lisa is reallythe force behind all of this,
and I feel that way.
I believe that I've seen it,I've observed it, I've been part
of it and I want to thank you,charles.
The people you surroundyourself with are extraordinary.
They're extraordinary and, as Isaid earlier in conversation,
(31:20):
the passion that they have forwhat we do at Place of Hope.
I'm sure they run intoobstacles and stumble on rocks
and things on the path, but theyget up and brush themselves off
and they start all over again.
They're amazing.
Charles Bender (31:43):
Absolutely.
We have so much to be gratefulfor, just over the years too.
But even just this point intime, now we're talking about
this campaign that we'velaunched, because one of the
other things you guys have bothbeen big about and talking about
is that, you know, looking atthat transition for later for
the organization, like what isour plan 10 years out, 15 years
(32:03):
out, and preparing for that, andI don't think that we thought
at that time.
I thought we'd come up withsome pretty standard answers to
that, like most organizations do, and we did that.
And then it became somethingbigger.
How are we ever going to get tothe point of we're going to
build this thing out that God'sentrusted us to, that, given us
these properties and thesecampuses, and do it in a
(32:23):
meaningful way, keeping us withno debt, building up that
endowment and then, of course,building, obviously debt-free.
You've got to build thosebuildings debt-free.
So now we're in it.
It's just amazing, and so, yeah, I think the place of hope is
going to look completelydifferent nine years from now
than it currently does, and asit does look completely
different than it did nine yearsago.
(32:45):
So, speaking to that, if each ofyou maybe think of what's one
of the things that's excited youthe most that you've seen
happen at play, so whether it'san investment you made, whether
it's one particular child you'veheard speak or get to know, or
the idea that finally because Iknow you've even said to me
finally seeing us move in thisdirection of building an
(33:06):
endowment for the future, that's, that's a seed you planted a
long time back, and what'ssomething that really kind of
motivates you in terms ofsomething that's just had a huge
impact at play.
Dr. Leighan Rinker (33:16):
So Well, you know, this may seem small to
other people, but to me it wasbig.
As I mentioned earlier, I wasable to underwrite and help
support the total renovationthis was like in 2016, I think
(33:40):
of a cottage and it was going tobe a cottage for six girls, and
Lisa led that charge and reallydid an incredible job, getting
so many things, all thefurnishings, donated and so
forth, and when it the buildingand the reconstruction were
(34:01):
finally complete, it was abeautiful place to live, for
anyone to live.
I would move in and I keptthinking in my head about these
six girls and the kinds ofbackgrounds they would be coming
from that were so traumatic andthis would be a new beginning
(34:22):
for them.
Well then, we got, finally, ourCEO, our certificate of
occupancy, our CEO and we hadthe dedication and so forth.
The next thing I knew place ofhope maybe it was Charles got a
(34:43):
phone call that there were fivesiblings, two boys, three girls,
who were almost homeless.
In fact, they were virtually ina very bad situation and they
needed a place to stay quickly,right away, and we had just
(35:04):
gotten the CEO, and so I thinkwe sent a van over to get them.
We did, and these children Iget emotional about this were
brought over because we did havethe bets we could take them.
Charles Bender (35:26):
Life impacted immediately I mean, god knew it
from day one, but we didn't knowthat that was gonna take place
and the fact that you could sayyes and have put the energy and
the time and the resources intomaking that available and, as
you know, it continued forward.
After that, just one life afteranother.
Dr. David Rinker (35:43):
You asked what got me excited about Place of
Hope and it's one part of ourmeetings when we have, I get
together at the Boca campus andyou have one of the students or
one of the kids give a talkabout what has happened in his
(36:03):
or her life.
And I began to realize thatonce they go through the Place
of Hope program, they getinvolved in other things that
we're familiar with, likehabitat.
As they get older they actuallybuy a house and get involved
and then they get on the boardsand in the management of these
(36:27):
things and we're creatingcitizens that come on up.
That I love when they stand upand you say we wanna hear from
this person and what they'redoing.
We're creating some wonderfulpeople.
Charles Bender (36:43):
I love that too.
I was with one of our young menthe other day and he came all
the way up from the Boca campusto do kind of a magazine article
thing that they were doing atStuart Magazine that's coming
out, and I looked at him and Isaid thank you for coming all
the way.
There are two young men.
I thanked him separately and Isaid thank you to this one young
man and he goes.
He goes.
No, thank you, he goes.
This is my way of giving backnow.
(37:03):
I don't have money right now.
He goes, but this is how I canhelp pay.
I said, well, you don't owe usanything.
He goes.
I know he says, but this iswhat I wanna do and I'm grateful
to be able to do it.
But one thing I can very coolthing I can report to you on is
for a long time I've wanted tocreate an advisory council of
our youth and so a non-fiduciaryboard council and I got someone
(37:27):
on our team is making a bunchof the calls to a lot of the
youth that we're still in touchwith and right now I think we're
up over 30 young people haveall said yes, I don't think we
had anybody tell us no, and a 30young people have all said yes
to wanting, and one of them saidI prayed about this.
I always hoped there'd be a waythat I could formally get
(37:49):
involved and give back and givemy insights and my thoughts to
how Place of Hope is and how itruns, and so forth.
All of them are giving usquotes, like, give us a quote.
Okay, you want one right now.
Yes, and so Joy's on the phonewith them and they're giving
quotes about their experienceand well, this one says a lot
Because look, you could leavehere and you could just be done.
You could just close the doorbehind you, and that was part of
(38:11):
my life, right?
But so many of them elect tocome back to give us their highs
and their lows, tell us whenthey're having a great time in
life, introduce us to their ownchildren and then join an
advisory council like this now,where they're gonna sew into.
And it's funny because we weretalking before about how 10
years ago, it was one thing and10 years from now it would be
another.
But a lot of these kids willsay to us well, we didn't have a
gymnasium when we were on thecampus, or we didn't have an
(38:34):
enrichment center.
And they're right, they did.
They still loved it, though,and they still talk so highly
about it.
But I think it says a lot whenyou can have these young people
coming back and wantingproactively, with no strings
attached.
Dr. Leighan Rinker (38:45):
Well, that's wonderful and they're
appreciative and they recognizethe value that their lives have
been transformed and they'llplay it forward.
Charles Bender (38:57):
They'll pay it forward Well that's the idea,
right, we honor God in it, andthen we hope that lives and
hearts are changed to where theynever wanna repeat, maybe, what
they had walked through.
And certainly don't.
We all wanna see a better timefor our own children, right?
That's the whole idea is we doour best so that they even have
even better than we did, and Ithink we're inculcating that,
we're getting them to understandthat so that they don't end up
(39:18):
in a pinched position that maybethey were in.
Dr. Leighan Rinker (39:21):
And the wonderful thing also I have to
mention is exciting to me thatwe have so many single moms with
little ones, Because talk aboutcreating, not only transforming
a life of a youth, but creatingand molding and developing a
(39:44):
very positive life for a littleone coming up Absolutely
absolutely.
Charles Bender (39:49):
And a lot of times, when some of these moms
are in a really bad position,they can't even see through the
forest about a quality of lifefor their children and what we
do see is that there is arepetition in that cycle and
those kids will end up gettingremoved oftentimes, and it's
super unfortunate.
But if we can as a community,as an organization, as a group
of leaders, ambassadors of hope,we can come together and
(40:11):
actually change that trajectoryby providing stable, loving
housing and an example for themto live by Again, not giveaways,
but lifting them up togetherand giving them the tools out of
the toolbox to do well.
And then, all of a sudden, theycan start looking like that.
They can look at their childand say not only is he or she
safe and stable, but now theycan start thinking about their
futures for them and thenshowing them by example, because
(40:33):
now they're doing it.
They're doing the hard work,the hard steps to get past their
past traumas and get on astable footing and do something
with their lives, be citizens,like you said, dave, and we're
creating citizens.
And if we can keep those kidstogether out of foster care, out
of the child welfare system,simply because it might've been
a case of poverty or it might'vebeen a case of just unstable
(40:53):
housing.
Well, we've accomplished a lotof things at one time, and so
that's what this is all about.
You all know that.
We're thankful that you guyscontinue to sow into it, and
we're excited that people aregonna hear this message from you
guys as leaders in thiscommunity, much bigger than
Place of Hope, but also a bigpart of Place of Hope, big for
us at Place of Hope, and we justthank you for coming today and
(41:18):
appreciate everything you guysare all about and why you do
what you do and how lives areimpacted.
Dr. Leighan Rinker (41:24):
Thank you very much.
We are blessed, we are trulyblessed, by being a part of this
, so we have to thank you too.
Charles Bender (41:32):
Thank you, dave, thank you, you all bless you
both.
Thank you.
Lisa Inman-McDulin (41:37):
Welcome to this segment called Hope and
Action.
Today, we would like to sharewith you all about our God's
Children Our Future campaign.
This campaign is atransformative initiative
dedicated to shaping a brighterfuture for vulnerable children
in Southeast Florida, with avisionary plan extending from
2023 and beyond.
(41:58):
The campaign's $100 millionfundraising goal over the next
decade aims to address criticalneeds, including annual
operations, capital improvements, residential housing and an
innovation center.
Backed by the unique advantageof debt-free real estate, place
of Hope seeks to ensuresustainability and strategic
(42:20):
expansion with the support ofphilanthropists in our community
.
Central to this effort is theSolomon Society, a distinguished
giving society comprised ofindividuals committing over $1
million in support for thisdecade-long fundraising effort.
This distinguished cohort ofsupporters will lead and serve
(42:41):
as ambassadors who guide, directand bolster the effort and
organization.
They will be invited to sharetheir stories and inspire others
.
Members will be celebrated,recognized and invited to
invitation-only experiences, aswell as gatherings with local
leaders.
The campaign's holistic visionincludes enrichment programming,
(43:02):
human trafficking recovery,transitional housing and an
innovation center, all anchoredin the organization's core
values of faith, family andaccountability.
Place of Hope's history,beginning with a mission to
Romania and evolving into anationally recognized force
since its 2001 inceptionunderscores its commitment to
(43:25):
providing a full continuum ofcare for abused, neglected,
trafficked and homeless childrenand families in the region.
Through this campaign, place ofHope aims to empower lives,
restore broken ones and ensure apromising future for every
child in its care.
Charles Bender (43:43):
Thank you for listening.
Please be sure to subscribe andshare with your friends so you
don't even miss a thing, and ifyou really gained value today,
please be sure to give us afive-star review so, of course,
we can be put in front of morelisteners For details and show
notes about today's podcast andhow you can connect with and
support our guests.
Please go to placeofhopecom'sforward slash podcast and please
(44:05):
don't forget to email us atpohpodcastatplaceofhopecom.
And, for sure, follow us onsocial media.
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