JET Foundation

We are applying for the Elevate Prize to expand and better service our community through our programming and case management services. With SOLVE's support, we are certain that we could elevate our efforts to help more members of the SCD, low-income and homeless communities than ever before. Last year, we successfully helped over 19,000 individuals and this year, we plan to exceed this, helping over 24,000 individuals, providing access to basic needs, transportation, education, financial and housing resources, access to health and mental healthcare. Funding will support program expansion for all of our support services and allow for us to expand our mobile resource programming.

I started this foundation due to having gone through personal trials, and not having the needed resources to help in my time of need. Being a single father, and dealing with a multitude of health issues for several years; I know what a tough time is. I can remember countless nights of laying in the hospital and getting comfort from planning to help those around me and our community. I can remember back to crying and staring in the face of my sleeping son, while being displaced and staying in a shelter not knowing where to go, or what to do. After gathering my own thoughts I put pen to paper and hatched a plan. There are definitely a lack of resources in the community, and less for those with any sort of income. I am looking to hit the ground running by bridging the gap and help those in need. I have worked in the field for several years while attaining my education and JET Foundation is a culmination of my life's journey coming full circle to start my own foundation to help our community.

JET Foundation's mission is to empower people and families living in Las Vegas' most under-resourced communities throughout the valley with resources so that they not only graduate from high school ready for success but also be prepared for success in college, their career, and in life through wrap-around programs and resources. We serve those living in Las Vegas and surrounding areas with Sickle Cell Disease, as well as social and economic needs to enrich their lives. With support from committed volunteers, JET's goal is to change the life trajectory of those in the community by providing academic, youth development, and health and basic needs support for families. 

Our efforts focus specifically on the zero hunger, no poverty, good health and wellbeing, and quality education areas of focus, which are fulfilled through our social service and resource programs. We are addressing these global issues the best way that we know how to start: by beginning with our community. By providing services such as this, we hope to partner with other community-based organizations in neighboring states to expand efforts over time so that eventually these services will become the norm across the country.

JET Foundation strives to meet our community where it is, providing both in-house services through our Aspiration Center and out in the community through our mobile resource van. We offer services and resources to members of our community daily, including a mobile resource bus, a teen technology and gaming lounge, notary services, career services, clothing and food pantries, emergency financial and social service assistance, SCD treatment and referral services, health and mental health referrals, homeless outreach, business mailbox services, HSE/GED testing, tutoring, vaccinations, LGBTQIA comprehensive resources, MyMed pharmacy program, community health outreach and both business and nonprofit consulting. We offer truly unique and comprehensive wrap around services to the families we work with, helping break down the barriers our community battles each day. We realize that not only is there a significant gap in resources for those facing SCD or other rare diseases, but also for many local families in need who are struggling to meet their family’s basic needs. We are here to bridge this gap, effectively helping improve outcomes for treatment accessibility, education, health and mental health status alike. 

We have an impact on humanity starting with our local community. Since opening our doors, we have substantially increased the quantity of individuals and families we have been able to help each year. We are excited to say that we have held some of the largest events in Las Vegas, and that we have opened the first-ever SCD community resource center in partnership with Dreamsickle Kids Foundation. We have continuously expanded our programming to meet the needs of the community, and have successfully helped increased food security, economic opportunity, job-readiness, basic need security and access to crucial health, mental health and support services in-house and through community referrals. We are excited to see these changes happen before our eyes and through regular data and outcome tracking conducted upon all client interactions.