Archives: News

This past summer, our WISE Scholarship students exemplified the values of drive, initiative, and purpose by actively seeking out opportunities to grow, serve, and explore their futures. Instead of taking a break, they leaned into learning — and the results have been nothing short of inspiring.

Dalila continued to deepen her connection with the Marine Mammal Center after her initial job shadow experience this past spring. She now volunteers three days a week, giving tours and educating the public about sea lions and their vital role in the ecosystem. Her passion for marine life and environmental education is making a lasting impact in her community.

Fabian took his future into his own hands by arranging a summer job shadow with the Program Director of West LA College’s Sports Medicine department. There, he’s gaining hands-on experience supporting athletes, including the Wildcats, both on and off the field. In addition, Fabian teamed up with fellow scholar Jacob A. to join the Youth Business Alliance’s summer program, diving into entrepreneurship, marketing, and essential workforce skills. Together they were able to get a tour of Selena Gomez’s makeup line, Rare Beauty and learn about the behind the scenes career opportunities.

Jacob A. used his summer to its fullest potential, participating in not one, but three enrichment programs: the Youth Business Alliance Summer Program, a 3-week entrepreneurship course at El Camino College, and engineering program at Cal Poly. His commitment to exploring both business and STEM pathways reflects his strong ambition and versatility. He is not one to rest and instead seeks out challenges and new ways to continue learning.

These WISE scholars are setting the bar high, demonstrating what it looks like to take ownership of their futures. JKL and the WISE team are incredibly proud of their initiative, hard work, and continued commitment to personal and professional growth. This summer was just one chapter in their journey — and we know the best is yet to come.

This summer, Academy Sports & Outdoors Collaborated with our Dallas, Austin, and Houston just keep livin programs to provide a back-to-school shopping experience for 60 of our Just Keep Livin students. This fantastic opportunity came at the right time for many of our students’ families, providing a much-needed back-to-school shopping relief. Each student received a $200 gift card to help with the beginning of the school year needs, from clothing to sports gear and equipment. Academy Community Relations Manager Kaci Hancock helped lead the way, alongside JKL Director of Community Impact Leon Clayborne, as they hosted these experiences on three consecutive days. The shopping experience was fun and exhilarating, as we watched students in disbelief as they received the gift cards, making difficult decisions on what color shoes to get or which baseball glove fit the best. We concluded each activation with our signature keep livin’ gratitude circle. We are deeply and personally grateful to Academy Sports & Outdoors, as this partnership has exceeded our expectations and made a significant difference in the lives of our students and their families. We are excited to partner for more events in the future!

On Monday, August 18th, twenty of our JKL Ballou students had the unforgettable opportunity to attend the Washington Commanders vs. Cincinnati Bengals Monday Night Football game! For many of our kids, this was their very first NFL experience and the excitement was electric. It was a night full of awe, energy, and lasting memories. Huge thanks to everyone who helped make this special moment possible!

Meet Henry, a dedicated sophomore in the WISE Scholarship Program who continues to impress with his focus, ambition, and all-around drive. Whether he’s in the classroom, on the volleyball court, or participating in Just Keep Livin’ (JKL) programming, Henry brings his full energy and determination to everything he does.

Academically, Henry is committed to staying on top of his studies, always striving for growth and excellence. His drive to succeed is evident not just in his grades, but in the curiosity and effort he brings to learning. Outside the classroom, Henry is an active member of his school’s volleyball team, where he shows up as a strong teammate and competitor.

Henry is also a proud and consistent participant in his school’s JKL program. Through JKL, he has built lasting friendships, taken part in community service, and discovered new interests that are helping shape his future. His involvement in WISE has helped him grow both personally and professionally, and he’s beginning to explore two exciting career paths: mechanical engineering and musical engineering. Whether he’s building something with his hands or creating through sound, Henry is eager to find a future that allows him to blend creativity with technical skill.

We’re proud to support Henry on his journey and can’t wait to see where his talents and dedication take him next!

On Thursday, August 8th, twelve of our amazing JKL students from L.B. Landry hit the courts for the 3^rd annual NOLA Pickle Fest, hosted by none other than the Brees Dream Foundation!

The experience was packed with energy and excitement—students were gifted with custom paddles and gear bags, learned the ropes of the fastest-growing sport in the country, and even faced off in some friendly pickleball matches.

And the highlight? Hanging out with Drew Brees himself—on and off the court! From rallies, serves, to real talk, it was an unforgettable day of fun, learning, and inspiration with a little dance party mixed in!

On July 16, 2025, the just keep livin Foundation was proud to be recognized as the Los Angeles Galaxy’s Community Partner of the match! Over 50 students and family members from Animo Inglewood Charter High School and Fremont High School were invited to attend – for many, it was their first-ever MLS game experience. 

Two Animo Inglewood students had the incredible opportunity to take the field during the pre-game ceremony, where they were surprised with a generous check presentation to JKL from the LA Galaxy Foundation. While the Galaxy fell 1-2 to Austin FC, the JKL family walked away with a huge win thanks to this inspiring night. A heartfelt thank-you to our amazing partners at LA Galaxy!

This month, we would like you to meet Fabian, a standout sophomore whose energy and dedication are already making waves on and off campus. From the gym to the animal shelter, Fabian brings passion, discipline, and heart to everything he does.

Fitness is a major part of Fabian’s life. Whether it’s boxing, lifting weights, staying active, or learning about health and wellness, he’s all in. He never misses an opportunity to try something new and stay active. For him, working out is about feeling strong, staying focused, and pushing yourself to be better. His dedication to fitness has even inspired him to think long-term: Fabian is considering opening his own business someday, possibly one that combines his passion for health and a desire to help others.

But Fabian’s drive doesn’t stop at the gym. He’s also deeply committed to giving back to the community. Almost every week, he volunteers at a local animal shelter where he walks dogs, cleans their kennels, and spends quality time with animals who are waiting for their forever homes. “Just sitting with them or giving them a little extra attention is a lot of fun,” says Fabian.

Fabian’s strong sense of purpose, paired with his kindness and work ethic, set a powerful example for his peers. Whether he’s helping animals in need or setting personal goals for his future, Fabian is proving that you’re never too young to make an impact.

Keep an eye on Fabian—he’s just getting started!

Los Angeles Field Day Fun with LA Galaxy! 

Our just keep livin Los Angeles students enjoyed an unforgettable afternoon of energy, excitement, and connection at our Field Day, hosted in partnership with LA Galaxy! Held at the beautiful Dignity Health Sports Park, the event brought together students from various JKL programs across the city for a day focused on movement, wellness, and community.

Students rotated through five stations, one of which featured dynamic warm-ups and calisthenics led by Brendan Cosso from World Calisthenics Org. Other stations included fast-paced pickleball matches led by Pickleball Cares, spirited soccer games and kicking drills led by LA Galaxy Star Squad, and the always-entertaining water balloon toss, a favorite that brought tons of laughter and refreshing fun under the California sun.

Beyond the physical activities, the event provided a powerful opportunity for students to step outside their usual environments, meet new peers, and practice teamwork and sportsmanship. A huge thank-you to LA Galaxy for their incredible support and commitment to uplifting youth in our community. Their partnership helped create a truly vibrant, empowering, and joy-filled experience that our students will carry with them for a long time!

Honoring Our Educators

During Teacher Appreciation Week, the just keep livin Foundation’s Collegiate Baton Rouge program, along with several other JKL programs across the country, came together to honor the incredible educators and school staff who go above and beyond every day. These celebrations included wellness activities, heartfelt community support, and personalized tokens of appreciation to recognize their unwavering dedication and impact.

A heartfelt thank-you goes out to our amazing JKL instructors. Your passion, mentorship, and commitment to creating safe, supportive spaces for our students are the foundation of everything we do. You are the heart of these programs, and we appreciate you not just this week, but every single day!

Football coach Mack Brown, singer-songwriter Jack Ingram, and Matthew and Camila McConaughey turned up (and out!) at their annual MJ&M fundraiser in Austin.

They’re a force of nature — and a force for good.

On April 24, Matthew McConaughey, 55, legendary college football coach Mack Brown, 73, and singer-songwriter Jack Ingram, 54, gathered hundreds of friends and family — including McConaughey’s kids Levi, 16, Vida, 15, and Livingston, 12 — for their annual MJ&M (Mack, Jack, and McConaughey) fundraising extravaganza in Austin.

Read the full article here: https://people.com/inside-matthew-and-camila-mcconaughey-wild-two-day-fundraising-event-and-family-date-night-11724062

Academy Sports + Outdoors made a lasting impact on our just keep livin Foundation students by treating 10 deserving participants from our Pinkston and Sunset programs in Dallas to an unforgettable $250 shopping spree. This special experience took place at a local Academy store in celebration of the exciting launch of the new Jordan Brand collection. The generosity didn’t stop there—both JKL programs were also gifted additional Academy gift cards to help purchase much needed items to enhance their programming and student experience. We are incredibly thankful to Academy Sports + Outdoors for their continued support, belief in our mission, and for creating moments that truly uplift and empower the students we serve.

This month, we are thrilled to highlight Agustin, our WISE ambassador and one of our first WISE Scholarship participants. Agustin has demonstrated an exceptional level of commitment and excellence, as evidenced by his 4.0 GPA, extensive extracurricular involvement, and unwavering dedication to JKL. He was also our first and only student to take an AP course this past school year.

Over the past two years, Agustin has consistently challenged himself to grow, overcoming personal fears—including horseback riding—and striving for excellence in every endeavor. He is looking forward to pursuing a career in business with the hopes of one day opening a restaurant. He hopes to one day make eating out healthy and affordable for the people in his community. 

We are so proud of Agustin and can’t wait to see what the future holds! 

Students from our ASLA and Animo Inglewood programs recently embarked on an unforgettable camping adventure to Joshua Tree National Park—a first-time experience for many. Surrounded by the park’s breathtaking desert landscape, students embraced the journey with open hearts and minds, gaining both practical skills and personal insight along the way.

The trip was made possible through a meaningful partnership with Marland Burke and the Forged Foundation, whose generosity and dedication helped bring this opportunity to life. A special shoutout to Marland for going the extra mile—he surprised every student with a cowboy hat, adding a fun and memorable touch to their desert adventure!

The group camped and participated in a powerful interactive horse experience at Cascade Trails Mustang Sanctuary, where students learned how to care for horses, goats, and sheep. Many of them had never interacted with animals in this way before, and the sanctuary provided a peaceful space for connection and reflection. Through hands-on activities and guided sessions, students discovered the calming and therapeutic effects of working with horses—gaining insight into how these gentle animals can reduce stress and support emotional well-being.

In addition to their time at the sanctuary, the students explored the natural wonders of Joshua Tree National Park. They hiked scenic trails, learned about the park’s unique ecology and geology, and practiced essential outdoor skills like setting up tents and cooking over a fire pit.

This immersive experience was more than just a camping trip—it was a journey of discovery, growth, and connection to the natural world. We are deeply grateful to our partners and proud of the students who stepped out of their comfort zones to embrace this transformative opportunity.