28 | APRIL 18 • 2024
J
N
T
he Lisa Project
Fundraiser, in con-
junction with Planet
Lori Art Camp, are teaming
up for a fundraising event
May 1 at Emagine Palladium,
Birmingham, at 6:30
p.m. Both organiza-
tions provide support
for children who have
lost a parent.
The Lisa Project was
created by Alec Dorf,
a junior at Bloomfield
Hills High School, who lost his
mother in the middle of the
pandemic, when he was a fresh-
man. Being the oldest of two
and helping his father care for
his mother, he quickly realized
that “life can throw a lot at you”
even at a young age.
Alec held a deep belief this
life-changing experience was
being given to him to be able to
help others who, unfortunately,
may share the same experience.
That’s how the Lisa Project was
born. The Lisa Project offers
peer-to-peer support and group
sessions for high-school stu-
dents who have lost a parent to
an illness.
Lori Haber Buckfire loved
children and spent many after-
noons doing art projects with
her son Hayden. Art is often
used to help children commu-
nicate, overcome stress and heal
from tragedy. Lori’s memory
is being honored with an art
camp in her name, specifically
designed for children who had
or have a parent or a close rela-
tive with cancer.
The Planet Lori Art
Camp, run by
the Birmingham
Bloomfield Art Center
(BBAC), will be held
on a daily basis from
Aug. 12-16 from
9 a.m.-3 p.m. The
Lori Haber Buckfire
Foundation is providing full
paid scholarships to children
(ages 5-15) to attend the camp.
There is limited space in the
camp, so it is recommended
that completed applications be
submitted as soon as possible.
MOVIE FUNDRAISER
Enjoy a surprise movie clas-
sic, popcorn and drinks, and
dessert from Diamond Bakery
at the Emagine Palladium
Theatre, 209 Hamilton Row in
Birmingham on Wednesday,
May 1, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The event starts promptly at
7 p.m. There is metered street
parking outside the theater and
a parking garage (Park Street
Garage, 333 Park St.).
Tickets are $75 per person
($60 is tax deductible). For
information, visit www.planet-
lori.com/2024-planet-lori-event
or thelisaproject.net.
OUR COMMUNITY
Movie Fundraiser
Movie Fundraiser
JN STAFF
Help support Planet Lori Art Camp
and The Lisa Project.
Planet Lori Art Camp
Lisa and
Alec Dorf
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www.hfldetroit.org • 248.723.8184
Hebrew Free Loan Detroit
6735 TELEGRAPH ROAD, SUITE 300 • BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN 48301
@HFLDetroit
Community donations help Hebrew Free Loan give
interest-free loans to local Jews for a variety of personal,
health, educational and small business needs.
STORY
My
STORY
My
Julia Tapper enjoyed her job as a loan officer at
a finance company. She wanted to be good at it, to
move up quickly, and to look the part. “You know the
saying, dress for the job you want,” Julia said. “So, I
went to a store and bought suits, put the total on my
credit card and didn’t think more about it. I only made
the minimum payment for a couple of years. The
interest increased and the market changed. And then
I lost my job. Mind you, I looked at people’s loan forms
all day long, and I knew about credit, but I realized
I didn’t know enough about credit. That was a
sobering experience.”
While attending career counseling at Gesher
Human Sevices, Julia learned about Hebrew Free
Loan’s Debt Consolidation Loan Program (DCLP) and the
HFL partnership with Gesher for financial education.
With HFL’s help, Julia eliminated her credit card
debt, and her stress lifted. It all came full circle
when Julia later took a role on Gesher’s financial
education team, teaching HFL DCLP borrowers
among others, how to tackle personal finance. She is
now Director of the Choices program, which serves
adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“HFL was respectful,” Julia said, “and got me past
the voice in my head that told me I couldn’t do this.
Dave Ramsey says ‘you can wander into debt, but you
can’t wander out.’ Sometimes you need to ask for
help. This loan gave me the room to breathe so that I
could reset my career. HFL’s support truly was the
fastest way to peace, and to the life I wanted.”
in partnership with