Exiting founder leaves local Parkinson's nonprofit in best financial shape

Stuart Rowlands
·1 min read
Jo Rosen, Palm Springs Mayor Grace Garner, Kelle Baker and Shayne Alloway celebrate the fifth annual Donald C. Cavanaugh Day on Nov. 12, 2023.
Jo Rosen, Palm Springs Mayor Grace Garner, Kelle Baker and Shayne Alloway celebrate the fifth annual Donald C. Cavanaugh Day on Nov. 12, 2023.

Jo Rosen, exiting founder of local nonprofit Parkinson’s Resource Organization (PRO) is pleased to announce that the 501(c)(3) is in good financial shape heading into 2024.

For 34 years, the organization — inspired by her late mother and late husband, both of whom suffered from Parkinson’s — has helped people, as well as their caregivers, families and service providers, navigate the disease.

Last month, Rosen announced she will hand off the reins to her successors at the end of 2023 so that she can expand her humanitarian efforts.

“The COVID pandemic was the turning point for PRO’s future financing,” Rosen says. “Since then, with the help of our new team, headed by Executive Director Eileen Lynch and an expanded board of directors, we have increased our national reach by more than 80,000 people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers, offering more and better programs with the additional beneficial results to our fundraising.”

A major part of PRO’s fundraising was the $2 million bequest given by a Los Angeles couple in the name of their Giuliana Trust. The pair was touched by the work of Rosen and her team, and they delivered their bequest with a call to action: “Spread your life-changing impact on people with Parkinson’s and caregivers across the nation.”

Since 1990, Parkinson’s Resource Organization has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for families and individuals affected by Parkinson’s disease through education, support, and practical resources.

Learn more about PRO at parkinsonsresource.org.

Stuart Rowlands is new to the desert and the Parkinson’s Resource Organization team. He brings more the 45 years’ experience in sports, diplomacy, music and corporate national and international public relations for such clients as Colgate Palmolive, ESPN, Ghana Govt., IMG, Nobel Peace Prize and the Quebec Ministry of Tourism. He can be reached at (323) 595-9969 or stuart@stuartrowlandspr.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Exiting founder leaves Parkinson's nonprofit in best financial shape