HOPE worldwide, an international charity that changes lives by harnessing the compassion and commitment of dedicated staff and volunteers to deliver sustainable, high-impact, community-based services to the poor and needy, presented the Jaguars Foundation the HOPE worldwide Faith in ActionAward for its work to 'level the playing field in life' for youth and families living in poverty in the greater Jacksonville area. The award was presented to Jaguars team owner and Foundation Chair/CEO Delores Barr Weaver by children from the Jacksonville chapter.
"We are thrilled to honor Delores Barr Weaver and the staff of the Jaguars Foundation with this award to recognize their ongoing commitment and support in providing quality services to the children and families of our community," said Jim Mackie, HOPE worldwide *Jacksonville Chapter Director. The HOPE *worldwide Faith in Action award honors individuals and groups which are making a significant impact and contribution to serving the poor and underserved through their personal example of service to others. The Jacksonville Chapter is a part of a network of 117 chapters throughout North America.
Since 2009, the Jaguars Foundation has helped fund and support one of HOPE worldwide's signature programs, the Saturday Academy. This program is for at-risk elementary and middle school children on Jacksonville&39;s north side and takes place at the Magic Johnson Center in Hilltop Village, a low-income housing community. Saturday sessions in the fall and spring help children improve their academic performance, increase positive social skills and put into practice positive values "to build a strong mind, strong character and strong body."
In 2010, many of these children were also selected to participate in the Jaguars Foundation's Honors Rows Program. The children set and achieved personal, academic and behavioral goals and earned a ticket to a Jaguars home game along with lunch, a t-shirt and hat, and transportation. The children also received Christmas gifts purchased by the Jaguars staff through the team's Angel Tree holiday gift giving program.
"We are honored to receive this recognition from HOPEworldwide," said Mrs. Weaver. "This award symbolizes that through the support of the Jaguars Foundation and the efforts of HOPEworldwide, these children are getting extra love and support in their lives which is so important in encouraging them to work hard to achieve their dreams."
About HOPE worldwide
HOPE worldwide is an international charity with programs worldwide as well as a network of 117 chapters throughout North America that changes lives by harnessing the compassion and commitment of dedicated staff and volunteers to deliver sustainable, high-impact, community-based services to the poor and needy. The Jacksonville Chapter is involved in several programs such as blood drives, lap robes for the elderly and new moms, meals for refugee families, a Christmas toy drive, senior programs in the spring and holidays, and Days of Service (Martin Luther King, National Youth Volunteer Day, and National Day of Service & Remembrance). Since 2009, the Jaguars Foundation has helped fund and support one of HOPE *worldwide's *signature programs, a Saturday Academy for at-risk elementary and middle school children on Jacksonville&39;s north side at the Magic Johnson Center at Hilltop Village. The Jacksonville Chapter was recognized as the National Chapter of the Year in 2009.
About the Jaguars Foundation
The Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation's mission is to support economically and socially disadvantaged youth and families living in the greater Jacksonville area through strategic financial, networking and volunteer support. Since its founding in 1995, the Foundation has awarded more than $13.9 million in grants to local youth-serving nonprofits. Other programs include Straight Talk, targeting the prevention of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections among teens, in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida and Jacksonville's media companies; the NFL/Jaguars Play 60 youth anti-obesity initiative in partnership with Baptist Health/Wolfson Children's Hospital; the Honor Rows ticket incentive program for low-income youth to earn a seat to a Jaguars home game through achieving personal goals and engaging in community service; and the Jaguars Foundation's literacy Initiative, in partnership with PEPSI.
