Fortune Academy was saddened to hear the news of Richie Fortune’s passing just a few short weeks ago. Richie was a faithful partner in our work with students who have language-based learning differences. The school was able to move our current location, due in large part, to his generous donation.
Prior to COVID, whenever Richie was in town, you could find him sitting at one of the tables with the students during lunchtime. He would sit and listen to all the students and would gladly join in on their conversations. His love for our students was evident.
Excitement would always build each year as we would prepare our students to attend the annual performance at the Indianapolis Symphony. Our students and teachers were dressed in their best and thoroughly enjoyed the concert which was all made possible by Richie’s generous donation.
Richie was also an avid supporter of our Founder, Janet George, and her Orton Gillingham teacher training program. Richie was keenly aware of the importance of equipping teachers with the right instructional tools to meet the needs of students with learning differences. He gave an annual donation so that every new faculty member at Fortune Academy could be trained free of charge and that scholarships would be available to teachers throughout the community.
On one specific occasion, I remember Richie just calling me up out of the blue to ask me if there was anything the school really needed. He was looking for a way to give to us. At that time, our teachers really were in need of updated technology. I asked and Richie donated new laptops for every staff member.
Fortune Academy isn’t just a school named after a man, it is named after someone who truly understood that students with learning differences need to have a school environment where they are given every possible tool they need to succeed and Richie was committed to making sure this happened. His legacy will live on for generations to come in the students whose lives will continue to be transformed through our academic intervention programs.