It is an honor to share the list of our incredible grant partners for 2020. Our grant projects with these special groups will bolster the foundation’s four mission pillars: Junior Golf, Military Families, Pediatric Cancer and Special Needs Youth. Thanks to the support of so many, we're able to stand alongside these incredible groups as advocates of their commitment to causes that mean a great deal to the Spieth family.
Junior Golf
I AM a Golfer Foundation
I AM A Golfer Foundation is a remarkable Dallas-based junior golf program in the under-served South Dallas community. Where once was a hole in junior golf options at Cedar Crest golf club, IAMGF stepped in to fill the need with incredible mentorship opportunities and by being truly integrated within the community. This 2020 JSFF grant provides affordable golf programs, instruction and playing opportunities to underserved youth in south Dallas, including clinics and after school programs. The quality instruction has grown in just a few short years to over 40 area juniors in the South Dallas community with even more growth on the horizon. We are proud of this leadership, these young people and their ability to see the benefits of golf beyond just the course.
Little Linksters, LLC
The 2020 JSFF Grant will support Little Linkster's program in Florida supporting for special juniors with special needs through three pillars. The first on-ramp provides instruction to children ages 3-18 with adaptive programming, equipment and trained coaches. Secondly, the children are transitioned into an inclusionary programs with GROW program. Lastly, this program involves these special golfers in competition through various tournaments and "tours". The JSFF partnership provides scholarships for children in any of the various provided programs and we are proud to see two important mission pillars married through this grant outlet.
The First Tee of Greater Dallas
The First Tee of Greater Dallas chapter is working hard to take the game of golf and this important life skills program to the broader community. The 2020 Grant provide funding for five partner programs, local nonprofits, charter school and community organizations, by providing their students with The First Tee platform at no cost. These programs take place at the Robert C. Vaughn learning center at Trinity Forest. The grant requested would allow at least five additional organizations to take part as well as provide free programming to military families in the spring of 2020.
The First Tee of Greater El Paso
The JSFF knows that inclusion for special needs youth often comes through sports, which is why we are so proud to support the growth of the Purcell Special Kids Expansion program through The First Tee of Greater El Paso. This program is offered weekly for young people with special needs and emphasizes a low coach to student ratio to allow proper instruction, safety and attention. This 2020 JSFF grant is funding a partnership with "Downs in Motion", which will completely cover the cost of over 40 new children with special needs participating after being on a wait list. We can't wait to see this program thrive!
Miltary Families
Boot Campaign
We are thrilled to come alongside the most superb group in Boot Campaign to fully grant the 2020 Santa Boots holiday program. This program provides joy-filled Christmases for veterans and active duty members and their families who may have not been able to afford gifts otherwise. It will serve both families in financial need and those who just need a little extra love during the holiday season. Over 500 people are expected to be supported through this program, with families all over the United States. It was a highlight of the Foundation's year in 2019 to join their intentional, thoughtful and generous planning and shopping, with each case specially tailored to a family's needs and wishes.
Freedom Alliance
The Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund provides scholarships for undergraduate college students to the sons and daughters of America's military warriors and the JSFF is honored to award twenty. collegiate scholarships in 2020 to students.. The program provides financial assistance as well as a reminder that their parent's sacrifice will never be forgotten by a grateful nation and these JSFF scholarships will be given to students attending colleges in Texas.
Operation Second Chance
Operation Second Chance provides 800+ Veterans and family members annually who are struggling with life's unexpected curveballs. The JSFF grant funds are awarded directly into the hands of those in need. OSC fields all requests through a diligent process and all funds given provide immediate support for financial emergencies such as housing, utilities, transportation, food or other basic needs. The JSFF is thankful for OSC filling in the need to support our country's heroes, as a small token of our immense gratitude for their sacrifice.
Our Military Kids
Our Military Kids program supports our military families through their most important avenue, their children. This grant supports the program's ability to send a child between ages 5-18 to participate in extracurricular activities while a parent is deployed or recovering from combat related injuries. The program covers fees associated with sports, fine arts, STEM and tutorial activities and the JSFF is thrilled to know over 75 military families will benefit from this 2020 grant partnership.
Pediatric Cancer
Carson Leslie Foundation
The Carson Leslie Foundation honors a young boy who was around Jordan's age growing up in the Dallas area, and his legacy fighting pediatric cancer. With a goal to encourage teens in this ferocious battle, JSFF is partnering with CLF to provide Under Armour Backpacks to teen cancer patients at Children's Health-Dallas and beyond for the next two years. The backpacks are packed with love and care, filled with carefully chosen teen-goodies and given to patients in need of some cheer. The Foundation is honored to provide the backpacks and grant necessary funds to see them filled.
Children's Medical Center Foundation
The JSFF is proud to continue the work of one of our first pediatric cancer grants through Children's Health (Dallas). The Experimental Therapeutics Program enables Children's to cover personal and travel related expenses for patient families involved in clinical studies at Children’s Health, helping them focus on their child and access the care they need. This two-year commitment ensures families have access to financial relief to ease some of the burdens of this difficult journey. Additionally, this grant supports their amazing Social Work team through opening a new staff position. When children receive medical care, they and their families often need support to help them cope with everything from financial and logistical pressures in some cases to life-changing diagnoses in others. The Social Work team works to connect families to external and internal resources to ease their burdens, conducting mental health assessments and crisis counseling and supporting families to become comfortable in their hospital surroundings.
Clayton Dabney for Kids With Cancer
"Medicine of the Heart" is the primary outreach program that provides a platform for creating everylasting memories for chlidren and families facing terminal pediatric cancer. Through this system, a child's gifts and/or financial assistance are delivered to them and families in the form of gifts such as laptop computers, TV, or playsets. There are special events such as trips to theme parks, birthday parties, shopping sprees, and/or financial assistance to help cover household bills and rent so parents can spend meaningful time with their dying child without worrying about other concerns. “Medicine of the Heart” picks up where the medicine ends by fulfilling dreams, applauding bravery and supporting terminally ill children and their struggling families. The JSFF is truly honored to name Clayton Dabney Kids for Cancer a 2020 grant partner, and we applaud the anonymous and thoughtful way this organization continues to grant wishes through this very special platform.
Leukemia Texas
This 2020 partnership with JSFF will directly impact children facing a Leukemia diagnosis and their families. Over 100 families will benefit from the grant to the Leukemia Texas Patient Aid Program, offering financial assistance to help offset the cost of life-saving treatments and provide for day-to-day living expenses. After vetted through an application process, funding goes directly into the hands of the patient and their family, providing a direct avenue of financial support.
Special Needs Youth
Camp Summit, Inc.
The mission of Camp Summit is to provide barrier-free outdoor experiences that promote personal growth and foster independence for children and adults with disabilities. Through a 2020 grant partnership, we are able to provide camperships and financial support for over 50 youth with special needs to attend camp in 2020! JSFF knows the importance of camp experiences for these families for both child exposure as well as parent respite; we are thrilled to see more individuals able to experience this unique, fully accessible, residential program designed for their specific needs.
Champions Special Ministries, Inc.
Champions Special Ministires is a week-long day camp for individuals with special needs in seven cities including Durango CO, Springdale AR, Dallas TX, Frisco TX, Lenexa KS, Liberty MO, Broken Arrow OK. The JSFF has seen the commitment and magic behind this expeirence, and we applaud their focus on bringing and celebrating the joy of all of thei campers! Camp Special Ministries focuses on creating ambassadors of their volunteers as well, to create a pipeline of special needs advocates through their summer-long volunteer staff. We are excited that 125 campers in Summer 2020 will be supported through this grant.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
The My DSO Concert is an incredibly thoughtful, sensory-friendly concert designed for children and adults on the autism spectrum and with other special needs in Dallas, Texas. The concert aims to provide a more inclusive environment for those who may be unable to attend a concert due to health and social circumstances. The JSFF is looking forward to spuporting this special community event through a 2020 grant, and thus allowing up to 1,800 children and adults, as well as their families and friends, to benefit by being able to enjoy a cultural experience of the highest quality in a welcoming and supportive setting. We can not wait ot bring the joy of music to so many!
Inclusion Connections
The mission of Inclusion Connections is to strengthen the lives of individuals with disabilities by creating inclusive opportunities for community involvement, access to meaningful employment, and better options for independent living. This 2020 grant will support EmployAbility - PawsAbilities program, which addresses workforce readiness, job placement and transportation needs, serving individuals with developmental disabilities. PawsAbilities training occurs in a commercial bakery, where trainees learn translatable job skills by baking dog treats from scratch. They provide a sewing room with sewing machines and an embroidery machine, where participants sew Royals and Chiefs dog bandanas, and recently began producing embroidered hats and towels. They provide an on-site pet boutique, which participants help run, along with a mobile store we take to local businesses and events, providing additional customer service training.
My Possiblities
As a leader in the special needs space, this 2020 JSFF grant funds My Possibilities' Vocational Programs for HIPsters (Hugely Important People). This comprehensive goal-focused, data-driven program supports adults with IDD who want to work in inclusive jobs at competitive wages. Vocational education, training and placement services prepare them for employment. Our Vocational Programs for HIPsters prepares them to progress towards greater independence, self-determination, and inclusion through employment in community jobs. Education, vocational skills training, and access to inclusive jobs at competitive wages create opportunities to make positive contributions in the workplace, at home, and in their communities.
Notre Dame School of Dallas, Inc.
The Dallas-based Notre Dame School recognizes that all people are created in the image of God, and educates students with developmental disabilities and facilitates their integration into society. The JSFF recognizes the great financial need of many Notre Dame students, and most importantly how much this wonderful school has to offer! We are honored to name them a 2020 partner to fully cover the financial aid amount for the four students of greatest need. We know the support provided then by Notre Damn School will further propel them in education, vocation, inclusion and life.
RISE Adaptive Sports
RISE's incredible scope of adaptive therapeutic programs for children includes Basketball, Boating, Group Outings, Kayaking, Sailing, Swimming, Water Skiing, Wheelchair Motocross and more! The JSFF has seen first hand the forward thinking that the RISE team provides to not only reach as many individiuals with special needs as posisble, but contonie to broaden the scope of what is avialable. The 2020 JSFF grant will would support this program overall as it continues to break down barries and limitations.
To Be Like Me
To Be Like Me is a one-of-a-kind nonprofit program led by people with special needs geared towards school-aged children, camps, clubs, and service-based businesses. By providing interactive experiences focusing on awareness of different abilities, To Be Like Me is opening eyes and doors and building empathy and kindess. The 2020 JSFF grant supports programming, where dozens of youth with special needs will be employed as Leaders, and over 3,000 participants will go through the program this coming year alone! All programs taken into schools are now able to be provided free of charge, as well as to six community organizations, and ten service-based businesses. We are proud to share their goal is to help the community understand and better interact/support individuals with special needs.
YMCA of Met Dallas - RISE School
The unique Rise School offers master's level educators and on-staff speech, occupational, physical, and music therapists, serving 63 students with special needs, ages six months to six years of age. The children’s needs are matched with the appropriate instructional methods, accommodations, and adaptations to facilitate their learning. This 2020 JSFF grant honors the unique and important component of The Rise School program of integrating these students with peers who do not have delays. These results are in achievements beyond previous expectations for both groups, and we are excited to watch this program continue to grown through our partnership and their dedicated staff.