RWR Network: Inspire, Inform, Educate, Empower

The RWR NETWORK is a growing national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created to serve and support many vulnerable members of society. Recurring issues faced by clients can include life after a sudden loss or change in circumstances, marital or life status, or employment, housing concerns, food insecurity, and life in a post-covid world.

RWRN initiatives include seminars, and educational programs including a focus on reskilling, workers aged 45+, Holocaust education and resources, one-on-one advocacy, small gifts, and pro-bono attorney matchmaking. In 2023 we will be releasing a full suite of free information, reports, resources, and more, pending grant approval.

RWRN is funded by donations of all sizes (you can donate via Paypal right now!) and we’re in the process of applying for a few key grants. We’re a very small enthusiastic team wearing many hats depending on the need or occasion. Despite our best efforts, sometimes it’s not possible for us to reply to every inquiry. We also have volunteers spanning all ages and life stages. While we’re based in New York City, we have a strong presence in several states including Florida, Georgia, Nevada, and California and continue to expand daily.

In early 2021 we helped to launch New York Co-Op Reform, an advocacy group serving co-op owners, elderly residents, and apartment building residents of all ages especially those being preyed upon by unscrupulous or greedy real estate developers or shady co-op boards.

As a non-profit organization we never share political input, we simply advocate for all New York City residents to be afforded the same rights and dignity.

During some of the hardest moments of lockdown and quarantine, some of our volunteers started crafting with intent. In late 2020 we helped launch Blankets and Hugs, (full site coming soon).

Blankets and Hugs volunteer crafters create and donate blankets for children under the age of 10 undergoing treatment for cancer or other life-threatening conditions. We also have an order one/donate one program where you can order a bespoke blanket and one is donated in your honor or in honor or memory of a loved one, as well as a blankets for caregivers division. Full details will become available soon.

On a lighter note, at the RWR Network, we also do our best to add everyday magic (Hello Chris Harrison and The Bachelor!) to the lives of people going through tough times. Through our support groups, text based education, tech hotline, virtual tea ups, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences we remind people to embrace joyful moments every single day when possible. In February 2021 alone, we helped everyone from the parents of a 19-month-old with Neuroblastoma to a 91-year-old Holocaust survivor recovering from COVID-19 remember how to smile again.

RWRN was founded by sisters Chaplain Rachel Weingarten and Rebecca Weingarten MSc.Ed, MFA, who on an individual basis have been volunteering within their own communities for years before realizing there was a larger need to be met.

Rachel is an internationally recognized award-winning author, culture journalist, speaker, and advocate. Her writing has appeared in The Week, CNN, Fortune, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and many more. Rachel is also a certified chaplain and a new edition of her book “Ancient Prayer: Channeling Your Faith 365 Days of the Year,” will be issued in early 2023. Rachel is also a marketing and trends strategist who’s worked with global brands and is widely quoted in the media/appears on morning television sharing her thoughts and predictions on current trends.

Rebecca is a corporate consultant setting up career transition, information management systems and education coaching programs for individuals and teams. She’s a former Bloomberg administration executive who was manager and director of a joint New York City and New York State citywide inter-agency project. Rebecca also was a teacher trainer and program developer for a joint CUNY/NYC Department of Education alternate intervention dropout prevention program.

The sisters credit their parents with inspiring them to a lifelong commitment to helping others.

Several of our projects including databases and the launch of one of RWRN’s first educational products, Project HEARD: Holocaust Education, Activism, & Resource Database were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.