Newsletters Archive - just keep livin Foundation

March 2024 Newsletter

5K hosted by jkl program at West Adams

Our jkl program at West Adams hosted their first annual 5k race on Saturday, February 17th.

Our students and staff were beyond grateful for the generous donation made by K-Swiss to supply our runners with shoes to train and run in their 5K! The family friendly race was open to the entire school!

Runners and walkers included students, staff, and family members. All participants received a medal, post-race refreshments and a truly unforgettable race experience. We are beyond appreciative to our partners at K-Swiss for helping to ensure our jkl students had the proper running shoes.

Mental Health Workshop at Venice

Our JKL Venice program hosted guest speaker JR for a Mental Health Workshop.

JR guided students through the therapeutic practice of kite-making. By incorporating art and culture, the workshop aimed to teach students how to express their emotions and enhance their mental well-being. The vibrant kites created during the session became colorful expressions of student’s feelings.

The workshop sparked numerous insightful and powerful moments. The students had so much fun that many stayed late, enjoying the opportunity to continue flying their kites.

COREPOWER YOGA X JKL FIELD TRIPS

Students from Animo Inglewood ventured out to the CorePower Yoga studio in Hermosa Beach, where they were warmly greeted by the Hermosa CorePower team.

During the yoga session, we were skillfully guided through several yoga flows and stretches that not only challenged students but also infused an element of fun. The intensity of hot yoga added a unique twist, making it a first-time experience for many students. The session concluded with a gratitude circle, where numerous students expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to try something new and unwind and relax. Check out more of their experience here:

Watch Our Video Recap ►

Thanks to our fantastic partnership with CorePower Yoga, Russell Westbrook, Manual Arts and Pinkston JKL programs also had the chance to partake in this enriching yoga experience this past month. More classes are scheduled throughout the month of March.

Corepower has also offer 6 Yoga Teacher Training scholarships to our JKL teachers and alumni. Applications are due March 1 and we will be selecting the winners over the next few weeks!

Crime Stoppers Houston

Our Director of Program Strategy and Community Impact, Leon Clayborne, recently presented at the 28th Annual Texas Crime Stoppers Conference in Houston, TX.

During his presentation titled “3 Reasons Why After-School Programs Should be Utilized,” Leon engaged with an audience of over 150 high school students, law enforcement officers, program directors, and crime-stopper staff.

The presentation explored after-school programming in three areas: community, exposure, and wellness. Leon’s insights were well-received and generated a lot of interest among attendees regarding enhancing existing after-school programs and the application process for new ones!

Camila’s Tips: Savory Homemade Dips!

This one’s for all the dip lovers! Because there’s nothing better than a homemade dip.

Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together, a game night, or simply craving a savory snack, making a dip from scratch is the way to go! Here are two of our faves!

Whipped Feta and Honey: Creamy whipped feta combined with herbs and a drizzle of honey creates the perfect mix of savory and sweet in each bite. This dip is such a crowd-pleaser that you might want to make a double batch of the recipe!

IIngredients
4 oz crumbled feta cheese at room temperature
⅓ cup whole milk Greek yogurt
1 tbsp olive oil
½ tsp minced garlic
½ tsp dried basil
2 tbsp honey

Topping
1 tbsp chopped pistachios
1 tsp finely chopped chives
Honey drizzle

To Serve: Crostini or Grilled Pita

Instructions
Combine the first six ingredients in a small food processor and blend until smooth.
Plate and top with toppings and finish with a honey drizzle.

Savory Dipping Oil with Grilled Bread: The flavors of this dipping oil come together beautifully to create a savory and aromatic oil that pairs perfectly with the grilled bread. The dish is finished off by rubbing the grilled bread with a clove of garlic, adding an irresistible flavor depth.

A simple and delicious appetizer that can be prepared quickly and we think, should be made often.

Ingredients
5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
½ tsp red pepper flakes
2 tbsp Pecorino Romano cheese
Fresh ground black pepper

For The Grilled Bread:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 clove garlic, peeled
2 slices of your favorite grilled bread

Instructions
Heat your grill pan or a grill to medium-high.
Slice your bread and brush the cut side with olive oil, then place it on the grill or pan and gently press down with the back of a spatula. Grill for a couple of minutes until you have grill lines on the bread.

Remove and rub the grilled side with peeled garlic clove and set aside.

Add the olive oil and the balance of the ingredients to a small flat plate.

Dredge your favorite grilled bread through the dipping oil and enjoy.

– Enjoy! Beijos Camila

Full recipe by Women of Today »

Swag of The Month

Jog-or-not

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December 2023 Newsletter

Matthew and Camila McConaughey Sending Warm Wishes

Happy Holidays! As another year comes to a close, we want to thank you for your continued support of our mission to empower high school students to lead active lives and make healthy choices for a better future. Thanks to generous partners like you, in 2023, we’ve been able to serve over 3,000 high school students at 46 schools in 16 cities!

As you know, JKL students experience a great many firsts through our program, from learning to fish or to ride a bike, to attending their first football game or even just eating a Thanksgiving meal. This year, we had the opportunity to give some of our JKL students a particularly special first. In March, we took around 30 of our students from eight different schools to Washington, D.C. for a day of lobbying that saw them advocate for more mental health services in schools and additional funding for afterschool programs like ours. The trip empowered our students to find ways to channel their fears and frustrations into meaningful action. Afterwards, 100% of them reported feeling confident in their ability to create real, tangible change in the world.

This year also saw us double down on our efforts to make America’s schools safer. Last year, in the wake of the tragedy in Uvalde, Texas, we advocated for the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which set aside billions of dollars in grant money for improving school safety. To make sure that bill MATTERS, we knew we needed to help school districts navigate the complex and intimidating federal school safety grant process. In July, we launched an ambitious national project known as the Greenlights Grant Initiative (GGI) with the sole mission of helping connect school districts to the dollars that CAN make America’s schools and our children safer. Just three months in, the GGI is already having a tangible impact. Thus far, more than 3,000 school districts have signed up to receive grant writing support, in addition to 1,214 teachers and 1,529 parents. The reach extends to over 17,000 school administrators with whom we share grant resources!

The power of gratitude is something we put a lot of focus on in our program, and it’s important for you to know that we are grateful for YOU, and that the kids you’re impacting are grateful too! We’ve enclosed one of our exclusive Greenlights trucker hats as a token of our appreciation and a reminder to stay “lit”. Along with our Foundation team – Shannon, Shannon S., Jenny, Leon, Diana, and Danielle- we wish you and your loved ones a happy and healthy new year!

Boxes of Blessings

Students and staff from our jkl program at Pinkston High school participated in a local community service opportunity called Boxes of Blessings.

Students and staff from our jkl program at Pinkston High school participated in a local community service opportunity called Boxes of Blessings.

Camila’s Tips: Deviled Egg Wreath

If you’re looking for an easy and festive appetizer for your holiday gathering, this is it!

Elevate your holiday gatherings with our Deviled Egg Wreath, a creative twist on the classic deviled eggs that are not only delicious but will look extra festive on the table.We are in full-on holiday mode here at Women of Today and will take any opportunity to get creative in the kitchen, especially if we can make it easy! This recipe is just about as easy as it gets, and who doesn’t love deviled eggs?!

Tip for peeling hard-boiled eggs: After boiling, transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water and chill for 14 minutes; this will help the shells come off easier.

Deviled Egg Wreath (Servings 16 Deviled Eggs)

• 8 large eggs, hard-boiled, peeled, and halved
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp sour cream
• ½ tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp red onion, finely diced pinch of sea salt, or to taste
• Fresh ground black pepper
• 3 cornichons, very finely diced

Garnish

• 2 cups arugula
• Smoked paprika
• Fresh finely chopped parsley
• 32 thin and small pieces of red pepper

Optional

Fresh cranberries to fill the center of the wreath for decoration only.

Directions

After the eggs are hard-boiled and cooled, peel and slice them in half lengthwise, remove the yolks, and add them to a mixing bowl. Place 8 halves on one dish and the other 8 halves on another dish.

Mash yolks to a fine crumb with a fork. Add the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dion, red onion, salt, black pepper, and cornichons to the mixing bowl. Mix with a spoon until well combined. The mixture will be creamy.

Spoon about a teaspoon of the egg mixture into each egg half on their separate plates. If you have a very small cookie scoop, this makes the job easier.

On one of the plates with the 8 egg halves, sprinkle with smoked paprika. On the other plate with the other 8 halves, sprinkle the fresh chopped parsley.

On a serving platter, arrange the arugula to resemble a wreath. Gently and alternating between the two different egg platters, arrange the deviled eggs. Place two thin, small pieces of red pepper on one of the ends to resemble horns.

– Enjoy! Beijos Camila

Full recipe by Women of Today »

Swag of The Month

Gratitude is Attitude!

Just in time for your holiday gift giving… our Gratitude is the Attitude, student designed ONE OF A KIND t-shirt is a sure thing to bring a smile to your loved ones faces!

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November 2023 Newsletter

Happy Birthday to Our Incredible Founder!

Matthew’s birthday is November 4 and, if you would like to donate to the just keep livin Foundation in honor of his special day, we have many giving opportunities that support our work and directly impact our programs!

Click the link here: Matthew’s Birthday Fundraiser – just keep livin Foundation to check out our website and how you can be a part of his birthday!

Black Entrepreneurs Day at the Apollo Theatre:

Both of our Brooklyn JKL programs were able to travel to New York City to attend the Black Entrepreneurs Day at the Apollo Theatre!

This fun filled event curated by Daymond John was the ultimate celebration of Black business and entrepreneurship. Students were able to hear insightful conversations with Black business icons which included SHAQ, Ice-T, Traci Ellis Ross and many more! We are beyond grateful to Daymond John and his team for providing this amazing experience for our JKL students!

Lakers Youth Foundation Basketball and Health Fitness Clinics

The Lakers clinic was held at Manual Arts High on Saturday, October 14th. Students from Manual Arts and Animo Inglewood High Schools had a blast conditioning with the coaches from the Lakers youth foundation. We had approximately 50 students in attendance!

Students share their gratitude for the special day:

“I’m grateful for JKL because they provide opportunities like this.”

“I’m so happy that I did this because I was able to do something that I’ve never done before and push myself out of my comfort zone”

Camila’s Tips: Honey Cider Caramels

These Honey Cider Caramels are better-for-you because well, you guessed it, they use honey instead of refined sugar and they are the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth! These delicious little treats embody the flavor of fall with their rich blend of honey and apple cider.

Ingredients

• 4 cups apple cider
• Cooking Spray
• 8 tbsp unsalted butter
• ½ cup cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup honey
• ⅔ cup whole goat milk
• 1¼ tsp flaky sea salt, such as Maldon, plus more for finishing

Directions

In a 3-quart saucepan, boil apple cider over high heat until reduced to 1/3 cup of cider syrup, 30-40 minutes. (Pour syrup into a heatproof measuring cup to check on the reduction amount during the last 5-10 minutes of cooking.) Remove from heat.
Meanwhile, lightly coat an 8-x-8-inch straight-sided metal baking pan with cooking spray. (The spray will help keep the parchment paper securely in place.) Cut two 8-x-11-inch pieces parchment paper. Line the bottom and sides of pan with paper, leaving 2-inches of overhang on all sides.
Spray paper with cooking spray.
Add butter, brown sugar, honey and goat milk into the hot cider syrup; stir until butter is melted. Return pot to just above medium heat with a candy thermometer attached to the side. Cook, undisturbed, until the thermometer reads 250° or hard ball stage, 8-12 minutes, watching closely.
Immediately remove from heat and use the candy thermometer to stir in salt.
Pour caramel into the prepared pan. Let cool, uncovered, at room temperature for 2 hours, then sprinkle with flaky salt. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight.
Use the parchment paper overhang to transfer caramel to a cutting board. If refrigerated overnight, let sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before slicing. Use a large knife to cut the caramel into bite-sized squares or rectangles. Wrap each caramel in waxed paper, twisting the sides to seal. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.

– Enjoy! Beijos Camila

Full recipe by Women of Today »

Swag of The Month

Eco Sunset Crewneck Sweatshirt

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October 2023 Newsletter

Just Because @ The Grove

Our Venice JKL program had the opportunity to spend time with our Co-founder and #1 New York Times bestselling author Matthew McConaughey to meet with him and pick up a copy of his new children’s book, Just Because.

The students loved this irreverent collection of life lessons that will delight readers of all ages. Pick up your copy today!

JKL Annual Board Meeting

This September, at the annual board meeting of the just keep livin Foundation, staff members presented highlights from the past year’s activities and achievements. The energy in the room was palpable as it was our first in person meeting since 2019!

However, the most significant moment of the meeting was when two seniors from the Animo Inglewood JKL program passionately shared their personal experiences and heartfelt stories about what JKL means to them. Their inspiring testimonies resonated deeply with everyone present, reminding the board of the foundation’s meaningful impact on the lives of young individuals.

The meeting concluded with a renewed sense of purpose and dedication to the foundation’s mission.

Los Angeles Galaxy Max

Thank you to the Los Angeles Galaxy for helping us kick off the school year with a great field trip for our Los Angeles just keep livin students.

We had over 120 students and staff in attendance to witness a hat trick by striker, Billy Sharpe and a last-minute comeback win of 4-3 against Minnesota United! The Galaxy does a great job with their game-day experience. We appreciate the invite and look forward to attending more matches!

Camila’s Tips: Easy Pickled Vegetables

Pickled vegetables are delicious, and in case you didn’t know, pickling is actually a really great way to preserve any excess vegetables you don’t want to go bad. It’s also a lot easier than you might think to pickle your own vegetables at home. You can use whatever vegetables you have on hand and adjust the brine with other seasonings to suit your liking!

Ingredients

• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tbsp turbinado sugar
• 2 cups sliced or chopped veggie of choice

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
IAdd the vinegar, salt, and sugar in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.
Bring to a boil, then cool.
Pour over 2 cups of chopped whatever. Jalapeños, onions, cucumbers, whatever!
Store in a covered jar in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

– Enjoy! Beijos Camila

Full recipe by Women of Today »

Swag of The Month

Just Because tote bags and sticker sheets!

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September 2023 Newsletter

Support For Maui with Baby2Baby

Following the horrific devastation on Maui, The McConaughey family decided to amplify the efforts of JKL partners and friends, Baby2Baby by sending a cargo plane filled with hundreds of thousands of emergency aid supplies that will have an immediate impact on children and families.

Baby2Baby will give supplies to on-the-ground organizations such as: Aloha Diaper Bank, Maui Food Bank, Hawaii Diaper Bank Pacific Birth Collective, and Maui Rapid Response. Matthew and Levi posted this video that has received hundreds of thousands of views, and over $1million has been raised for Baby2Baby to send immediate supplies to the devastated families and children on Maui.

2023-2024 JKL Program Launch

As our programs prepare to launch after Labor Day, we wanted to highlight our JKL instructors who make it all possible!

They are the talent on the ground and without each of them and their unwavering commitment to just keep livin, none of this would be possible! The JKL instructors continue to show up for their students with a full sense of purpose and give their all to help students find their own path and purpose so that they can always be open to growing and becoming the best versions of themselves.

Thank you for the many ways you help your students find their voice, guiding them to set and reach their goals, and helping to shape their futures. YOU are teaching them the power of community and supporting one another! You do it with passion and great resilience and for that we all are grateful! We are excited to share with all of you the amazing experiences, opportunities, first time experiences and gratitude that this upcoming school year will bring to all of our just keep livin students!

Camila’s Tips: Southwest Roasted Cauliflower

This vibrant and savory dish is sure to steal the spotlight at your dinner table! Meet our flavorful and spicy recipe for Southwest Roasted Cauliflower! The beautiful blend of garlic, chiles, and vegetable stock infuses with the cauliflower to create a burst of mouthwatering flavors.

Ingredients

• 1-2 tbsp crushed caribe chile or red pepper flakes
• 4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp Mexican oregano
• 1 tsp Kosher salt
• 1 cup vegetable stock
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 heads of cauliflower cleaned and cut into florets

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a small food processor, emersion blender, or regular blender, add the caribe chile pepper, garlic, cumin, Mexican oregano, salt, and ¼ cup of the stock. Pulse a few times until the caribe chile peppers are well combined. Add the balance of the stock and the olive oil, and blend until smooth.
Place the cauliflower florets in a prominent roasting dish in a single layer and pour the marinade over the cauliflower. Toss to coat all the cauliflower and let it rest for 15 minutes
Bake the cauliflower uncovered for 1 hour, tossing every 20 minutes for even cooking and browning.
Cauliflower is done when well browned and fork tender.

– Enjoy! Beijos Camila

Full recipe by Women of Today »

Swag of The Month

The New “Breaking Waves” Cali Throw/Towel

Made of 100% cotton, this throw is versatile and the more you wash it, the softer and more absorbent it becomes. Can be used as a beach towel or blanket, wrap for those chilly nights at the game or dining on an outdoor patio.

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August 2023 Newsletter

Greenlights Grant Initiative- Safer Schools Across America

Our Founders Matthew and Camila McConaughey have launched the Greenlights Grant Initiative to help schools access federal dollars set aside by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to support programs for safer schools across America.

The Initiative is the greenlight that connects your community, your students, and teachers to funding to establish mental health programs and a safe learning environment in schools.

Check out greenlightsgrantinitiative.org. Share it with your administrators, school districts, and anyone who can use the help to bring real change for our children.

jkl National Teacher Training

Our jkl national teacher training this year was one for the books! We had over 90 teachers in attendance from across the country

We welcomed six new jkl programs; Lee High School in Huntsville, Alabama, Crockett High School in Austin, Texas, South East High School and West Adams High School in Los Angeles, California, High School for Innovation Advertising and Media in Brooklyn, New York and McMain High School in New Orleans, Louisiana. The program training sessions provided space for programming ideas, practical tools, school collaborations, recruitment methods, program highlights, success testimonies, and our gratitude circle.

Our special guest, Kat from the Kevin Love Fund, introduced six new SEL lessons that will be incorporated this fall; a great session led by the Sandy Hook Foundation on the importance of school safety and a relaxing yoga session! We can’t wait to see our jkl programs in full action this fall.

Your Voice Matters; Vote: JKL partners with Legacy Youth Leadership

This year, JKL has partnered with Legacy Youth leadership to bring dynamic leadership programming to our students in Southern California!

Students completed the Vote Track as part of an in-person event, and attended the 5th annual Legacy Summit event to grow their leadership skills and build community with world-changing young people from around the world!

In addition to these in-person experiences, Legacy offers FREE online Leadership and Mentorship Programs to students all around the country to build a more socially conscious generation of young people. This is a great opportunity for parents looking to get their students involved in FREE Leadership Programming during the summer. In as little as 2 hours per track, students will build hard and soft skills including: self- and social-awareness, goal setting, strategic planning, and more. After completing each track, they’ll be challenged to apply those skills through meaningful service activities!

Click here to sign up for free and help your student gain the skills they need to change the world!

Camila’s Tips: Olive and Artichoke Pasta Salad

Although August is back-to-school month, it is still pretty toasty outside so let’s make a dish that is refreshing, flavorful and easy for those first days of school! This dish is bursting with flavor from olives, tender artichoke hearts, and topped with a zesty lemon dressing.

Ingredients

• 1 box of Eat Banza chickpea pasta
• 1 can artichokes
• ⅓ cup whole kalamata olives, chopped in halves
• ¼ cup whole sun-dried tomatoes, finely diced
• 2 handfuls arugula, finely chopped
• 1 white kidney beans, washed well and drained

Dressing Ingredients

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 clove garlic, grated
• ½ tsp salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

First, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add the box of pasta and cook until tender/al dente.
Drain and rinse well under cold water.
As the pasta is cooking, prep the ingredients and add them to a large serving bowl.
Prep the dressing.
Let’s put it all together: add the shells to the serving bowl and pour on the dressing. Mix well.
Taste test for salt and add if necessary.

– Enjoy! Beijos Camila

Full recipe by Women of Today »

Swag of The Month

Workin for a livin

One of our most popular shirts now in a new color!

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July 2023 Newsletter

Amalfi Jets Scholarship Recipients

Amalfi Jets, our Spring 2023 sponsor of the Venice High School jkl program, is one of our most involved and engaged sponsors we’ve had in years. We have loved every touchpoint with Amalfi, but in June we got to watch three of our standout students receive $1,000 college scholarships and acceptance into the Amalfi Jets Accelerator Program.

The Student Leadership Accelerator Program is a philanthropic, youth leadership program for high school students interested in developing their professional skills while making a tangible impact on their community. This exclusive “Pre-MBA” program is for student leaders ready to put their skills to the test. It is the perfect entry point for those looking to maximize their potential and open doors to secure some of the most competitive internships and jobs on the market for young leaders. We are so thrilled to have a few of our outstanding jkl students involved in this outstanding program!

Future Leadership Scholarship Award Recipients: Justin Sotelo, Gerardo Gomez, and Jose Hernandez

End-of-Year Skate Party

As we said goodbye to the 2022-2023 school year, our jkl students commemorated the occasion in style with a fun-filled roller-skating extravaganza hosted by Moonlight Rollerway Inc. in Glendale, CA.

Students and instructors from Animo Inglewood High School, Animo City of Champions High School, Animo South Los Angeles High School, Fairfax High School, Huntington Park High School, and Manual Arts High School came together for a joyful gathering, with many trying on skates for the very first time!

The celebration was sweetened by delightful, homestyle cupcakes, a generous contribution from Susie Sarich of SusieCakes Bakery, another much-loved Los Angeles establishment. The event served as a wonderful wrap-up to the school year!

jkl Hittin’ the Waves

Our 7th annual Beach Day event with the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation was a hit! On Saturday, June 3rd, we brought our Los Angeles just keep livin students to enjoy a day of fun in the sun at the world-famous El Porto surfer beach in Manhattan Beach, CA. Students had a chance to receive surf lessons to conquer the waves, boogie board with big smiles, and relax with some beach yoga.

We want to give a huge shout-out to the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation for being a great partner and for always getting volunteers for our event. Many of our students did not even know how to swim and still went in the water and learned how to surf for the first time! They showed so much courage and excitement and we could not be more proud. Another shout-out to Rachel Miriam for always creating cool merch, with an awesome beach hat for this year and to Baby-2-Baby for generously donating sunscreen.

We topped the day off with California Pizza Kitchen lunches, a yummy ice-cream sandwich treat from Coolhaus and our unforgettable gratitude circle from our hearts! Beach day is truly a magical experience, from seeing some students taking to the ocean for the first time and others with the biggest smiles and appreciation for the outdoors!

Camila’s Tips: Summer Sheet Pan Frittata

This yummy breakfast recipe is packed with roasted zucchini, tomatoes, asparagus, peas, bacon and lots of herbs! It’s a great one-pan breakfast or brunch that you can make and then enjoy for quick meals on the go throughout the week.

Ingredients

• 4 large portobello mushrooms, cleaned

• 2/3 cup cherry tomatoes
• 8 asparagus spears
• 1 medium sized zucchini
• 6 slices bacon
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 6 eggs
• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 2 tbsp chopped chives
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley
• 1/3 cup peas

Directions

Preheat the oven 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise and then cut into 1/4-inch-thick half-moon pieces.
Cut the asparagus spears into 1-2-inch-long pieces.
Place the cherry tomatoes, bacon, asparagus and slices of zucchini on a 13×9 inch sheet pan.
Drizzle the vegetables with olive oil and place in the oven to bake for 20 minutes or until the bacon is crisp and the zucchini and asparagus are tender.
In a bowl whisk together the eggs, coconut milk, dijon mustard, salt, pepper, chives and parsley.
Chop the bacon into small pieces and arrange them evenly only the sheet pan with the veggies so that everything is evenly dispersed around the tray.
Scatter the peas around the veggies on the tray and then pour the egg mixture over top.
Return the sheet pan to the oven and bake for 20 minutes until the egg has fully set.
Once cooked cut the frittata into large squares and garnish with additional chopped chives before serving.

– Enjoy! Beijos Camila

Full recipe by Women of Today »

Swag of The Month

New Retro Alright Alright Alright T-Shirt

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June 2023 Newsletter

Matthew McConaughey Movie Montage

On Saturday May 6, under the beautiful Texas sky, a group of generous donors and jkl supporters watched as our founder, Matthew, discussed some of his most iconic films.

The Matthew McConaughey movie montage is one of our most popular and sought after auction items every year and winners get to enjoy a behind the scenes look at what it was like on the set of these films, how Matthew delves into a character and what he thinks of the legacy of his iconic characters.

From Dazed and Confused to How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days, Matthew’s impact as an actor on pop culture is endless. Whether he’s winning an Oscar for his role in Dallas Buyers Club or providing a unique experience for supporters of the just keep livin Foundation, we are always in awe of his commitment to excellence. It was a fabulous event, and we look forward to more Movie Montage’s in the future.

WOW Mental Health Summit

jkl students from Animo Inglewood and Manual Arts attended the WOW2023 Mental Health Summit at UCLA’s Royce Hall on May 4th. Co-hosted by Oprah Winfrey and Lisa Kudrow, the event provided a wealth of knowledge on mental health and self-understanding.

Our students had the unique opportunity to learn from distinguished speakers like U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, and artist Jon Batiste. The sessions focused on universal questions of self-worth and addressed the common pressures that young people face today, especially in high-achievement settings like high school and college.

The summit discussed the importance of open conversations about mental health, debunking the associated stigma, and emphasized the significance of quality, accessible, and representative mental health services. Students were encouraged to understand their triggers, regulate them, and embrace the idea that seeking help is a powerful act of self-care. The students learned about the value of genuine connections, being present, and spending quality time with others to combat loneliness. They were reminded that strength should be redefined as love and vulnerability. This enlightening experience provided our students with invaluable insights into mental health and self-awareness, equipping them to navigate their journey with increased resilience and empowerment.

Field Day Galore!

What electric Field Days! We had our Nashville and Los Angeles programs host their events as we expand our jkl tradition and bring field day to all our cities.

In Los Angeles, we brought together our jkl programs for some fun sweat equity. This year we hosted 160+ jkl students at Huntington Park High School with incredible activations from the World Calisthenics Organization, D.B. Labs, and Los Angeles Galaxy. Our guest speaker, Wale Forester Co-Founder of Hussle Wipes, got the kids fired up to be great by implementing integrity. Can’t wait for next year!

In Nashville, we had our first annual Field Day! We had all our jkl sites come together to build community, get some physical activity and have friendly competition. Our students got a chance to get active and build roadmaps for communication and team building! This could not have been possible without the support of Nashville SC and the Nashville Predators who both hosted stations at the event.

Camila’s Tips: Vegetarian Stuffed Portobellos

Never underestimate the power of side dishes! These hearty stuffed mushrooms are bursting with flavor with a hint of spice.

This dish along with the paired serving ideas will tally in at about $20 for four servings. These Potatoes Boxty are perfect for breakfast or brunch and can even be served at dinner along with your favorite grilled fish. This is a crispy and savory way to prepare potatoes that we know you will love as much as we do!

Ingredients

• 4 large portobello mushrooms, cleaned
• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 jalapeno or habanero, finely chopped (optional)
• 1 10 oz can diced tomatoes with green chilis, drained
• ½ cup cilantro, chopped
• 5 oz baby spinach and kale mix, washed
• ½ cup cheddar cheese, grated
• Salt & pepper, to taste

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and line a small baking pan with parchment paper.
Remove stems from mushrooms and place mushrooms upside down.
Bake in oven for 15-20 minutes. The mushrooms will release a lot of water.
Remove mushrooms from pan, draining the water onto the baking sheet.
Set mushrooms aside and the pour off all the water in the baking sheet.
While mushrooms are baking, in a skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil and add garlic, sliced onions and jalapeno pepper.
Cook for 5 minutes until onions are soft and translucent.
Add the diced tomatoes and chopped cilantro. Stir to combine.
Add the baby spinach and kale mixture, stir tocombine, cover, and let simmer for 2-4 minutes or until just wilted.
Season with sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper.
Reduce oven heat to 375 degrees.
Fill the portobello mushrooms with the stuffing mixture.
Top with grated cheddar cheese and bake in oven for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Serve with your favorite sides or salad. with your favorite sandwich accompaniments.

– Enjoy! Beijos Camila

Full recipe by Women of Today »

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May 2023 Newsletter

Mack, Jack & McConaughey 2023: Over $11 Million Raised!

The Austin Marathon 2023 weekend was one for the books! Over fifty just keep livin students and staff participated during the Austin Marathon weekend—from a few seasoned runners to many first-timers and ecstatic water station volunteers.

What better way to kick off an epic few days than with a special performance by the legendary Garth Brooks! The LIVE auction was record-setting, raising over $7M! Then onto a fun day of golf, and a stunning fashion show from the fabulous Jonathan Simkhai presented by Neiman Marcus and hosted by supermodel Molly Sims. Simkhai’s designs were breathtaking, as was the setting, with lovely views of downtown Austin from the Long Center for the Performing Arts. We wrapped things up with an array of talented performances at our Jack & Friends Singer/Songwriter night! Artists like Butch Walker, Lee Ann Womack, Jessi Alexander & Jon Randall, William Beckmann, Blu Sanders, Rhett Akins, Hayes Carll and incredible newcomer Kameron Marlowe donated their time and talent to end this year’s event on a high note – so to speak!

Thank you to everyone who came out and supported the event. It’s an honor to be a charitable beneficiary of the event, along with the incredible organizations Cure Duchenne, Dell Children’s, HeartGift Foundation, and The Rise School. Until next year, MJ&M

Surprise Visit by our jkl Founders!

Surprise! Our Founders Camila and Matthew McConaughey leading up to our annual fundraiser MJ&M (Mack, Jack, and McConaughey), made a surprise visit to our Juan Navarro just keep livin program!

They both had a chance to sit down with our fantastic jkl instructor Ms. Woods and passionate student, Edison. They engaged in a conversation about what jkl meant for the campus, the community they are building, first-time experiences, and the student’s commitment to showing up day-in and day-out. The surprise visit continued with Camila and Matthew gracefully joining an impromptu merengue dance session and workout led by our Program Strategy and Community Impact Director, Leon Clayborne.

The students went crazy! The energy in the gym was vibrant as we concluded with a gratitude circle and a brief history of the just keep livin Foundation. It’s always great to have our founders engage with the students and see the program in action.

Akins High School Cheered at the UT Softball Game

Thanks to our amazing partners at American Airlines, our Akins jkl program were able to attend the American’s title softball game on Friday, April 21 between UT and Oklahoma State University.

Camila’s Tips: WOT Sammy

Sandwiches are a classic and this one is layered with flavor and fresh ingredients! Perfect to enjoy any time of day!

Ingredients

• 2 slices sprouted or whole grain bread
• 1 fried egg
• 1 small and ripe avocado
• 2 slices of cooked bacon
• 2 slices of tomato
• Pat of butter
• Salt to taste

Directions

Lightly butter one side of each slice of bread.
Smash the avocado and add a pinch of salt. Mix to combine and set aside.
Place one slice of bread buttered side down in a frying pan over medium.
Top with fried egg, cooked bacon, and sliced tomato.
On the remaining slice of buttered bread, spoon a generous amount of smashed avocado on the unbuttered side and place the avocado side down on top of the tomato.
Cook in the frying pan for a minute or two and gently flip the sandwich to brown the other side.
Remove from pan, slice in half, and serve with your favorite sandwich accompaniments.

– Enjoy! Beijos Camila

Full recipe by Women of Today »

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March 2023 Newsletter

JKL Runs with the Austin Marathon

The Austin Marathon 2023 weekend was one for the books! Over fifty just keep livin students and staff participated during the Austin Marathon weekend—from a few seasoned runners to many first-timers and ecstatic water station volunteers.

The dedication level of our students was unmatched. Early morning risings, a challenging course, and soaked jkl shirts were all worth it. Thank you to the Austin Marathon team for giving our jkl students a great experience to give back and put their fitness to the test. See you next year!

Chocolate + Gardening = Win Win

We were lucky enough to have not one, but two, incredible visits from our friends at Finabar recently!

Their wonderful founders visited JKL programs at Animo South Los Angeles and Venice High School for a guest speaking session about the mission behind their company, discussion on how to make chocolate in a way that is healthy to eat while also helping the planet!

Not only did our students agree that the chocolate is excellent (with flavors like “dark chocolate with puffed quinoa and cherry” and “milk chocolate with strawberry and pretzel”) but its packaging is made from seed paper that can actually be PLANTED to grow wildflowers! Additionally, the chocolate is vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, rainforest alliance accredited, organic and zero-waste. Thank you, Greg and Yolanda from Finabar, for sharing your story with our students and for all you are doing for the planet – and our tastebuds!

Teaching JKL Students to Find Their Creative Spark

We want to give a huge thank you to our friend Melissa Reidhead for taking the time to visit with our Austin just keep livin students about how to find their passion so that they will be excited to go to work each day!

Melissa spoke about her background – how she went from being a vegetable picker at a farm to ultimately becoming Head of Communications for Clarins, where she plans events and manages red carpet productions and fashion week campaigns! Thank you Melissa for teaching these young girls how to find their creative SPARK and how to follow their dreams! They also love all of the incredible Clarins products you brought for them! We appreciate you!

Camila’s Tips: Kevin Dundon’s Irish Potatoes Boxty

As St. Patrick’s Day inspiration, we have an Irish recipe you will not want to miss!

Ingredients

• 2 cups leftover mash potatoes or you can prepare fresh
• 1 cup red potatoes, peeled and grated
• 1-2 tbsp plain flour or corn starch
• 2 tbsp fresh sage
• 4 tbsp Irish butter
• pinch or two of flake salt or sea salt, optional
• salt and pepper

For Serving

• Smoked salmon slices
• Poached or fried eggs
• Wilted spinach

Directions

Grate the potatoes into a bowl. Squeeze to remove excess water if needed.
In a large bowl, combine the cooled mash potato and add the grated raw potato and half of the sage.
Season well with salt and pepper and stir to create a soft dough. Add some flour to help stiffen the mixture if needed.
Heat some oil in a pan over a medium to low heat, form and shape thick discs of the potatoes mixture and lightly press on the pan to make sure it is sticking together.
Cook for 3 -4 minutes until the base of the boxty is golden brown.
Flip over and add the butter and the rest of the sage.
Continue cooking for a further 3-4 minutes depending on the thickness until the boxty are piping hot in the middle, basting with the foaming butter.
Remove from the heat and serve immediately with slices of smoked salmon, poached or fried eggs, wilted spinach and sprinkle of sea salt and extra fresh sage if desired.

– Enjoy! Beijos Camila

Full recipe by Women of Today »

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February 2023 Newsletter

Amalfi Jets Helps JKL Take Flight

Our just keep livin program at Venice High School in Los Angeles, CA welcomed a group of special visitors earlier this month – the team from Amalfi Jets and Amalfi Jets Charitable Foundation, their new program sponsor!

Company Founders Kolin Jones and Calvin Yoon, along with their VP of Marketing, Samantha Cirelli, joined JKL Venice students for a fitness-focused session of jump rope and boxing, followed by our signature “Gratitude Circle.” We’re thrilled to be partnering with Amalfi Jets, a global private jet charter company, to help us in our mission to give these students the tools to live healthier lives.

In addition to funding the program, they will also be providing several of our students with college scholarships and internships, as well as partnering with us on community service events and offering tours of their aviation facilities. Thank you, Amalfi Jets and Amalfi Jets Charitable Foundation, for your incredible support!

JKL Students Run the Rose Bowl 5K Race

Our just keep livin students tied their laces and zipped up their sweaters as they raced the picturesque course of the Rose Bowl 5K on Sunday, January 15.

We were joined by kids from Russell Westbrook and Animo South Los Angeles High School. With a one-of-a kind finish line at the world famous Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA, our students motivated each other through sweat and cheers.

Feeling inspired? Sign up here to run the Austin Marathon (or Half Marathon here) on February 19 in Austin, Texas with us!

If you can’t make it but still want to support the just keep livin Foundation, feel free to donate here.

JKL Legacy Youth Leadership Voting Workshop

On January 25, 100 of our LA just keep livin students attended a voting workshop in partnership with Legacy Youth Leadership at Animo Inglewood High School.

The session included training our students on how to understand the power of their vote to make change in the world. During the two-hour session, students experienced interactive presentations, breakout groups, online activities as well as fun large group games. Their organization used these four different activities to create a dynamic space for students to stretch themselves and grow and understanding their right to vote.

Camila’s Tips: Valentine’s Day Refined Sugar Free Chocolate Coconut Bites

Sugar and Valentine’s Day tend to go together, and we firmly believe that everyone deserves something sweet!

That is why we have a healthier dessert option like these Valentine’s Day Coconut Bites from pinch of yum!

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups flaked coconut, unsweetened
• 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• a pinch of sea salt
• 5 oz dark chocolate morsels/chips

Directions

1. Pulse your coconut in a food processor or blender until the flakes become very fine and crumbly.
2. Stir together coconut oil, honey, vanilla, and sea salt and then fold in the crumbly coconut.
3. Squeeze mixture into small balls. The mix is a bit crumbly at first so we threw ours into the refrigerator for about 20 minutes so it was a bit more firm to work with!
4. Place rolled out balls into the refrigerator for about 1 hour or so.
5. Melt the chocolate for a minute or so in the microwave or over low heat in a saucepan. Using a spoon and fork, dip each frozen ball into the melted chocolate covering the coconut.
6. Top with coconut flakes and enjoy!

PS. These can be kept in your refrigerator all week long!

or until bites are heated through.

– Enjoy! Beijos Camila

Full recipe by Women of Today »

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January 2023 Newslettter

You’re Invited to Run the Austin Marathon

COME RUN!

The just keep livin programs are going to be enjoying miles of Austin’s unique neighborhoods, famous landmarks, and be cheered on by crowds as we cross the finish line in front of the Texas State Capitol on historic Congress Ave on Sunday, February 19! There will be live music on the course and a downtown concert.

If you reach the Fundraising Milestones below, you will also be eligible to win more unique incentives:

Raise $500 and receive a limited-edition Matthew McConaughey bobblehead and an official j.k. livin T-shirt
Raise $1500 and receive a signed item from Matthew McConaughey

You can sign up here to start your own fundraising team or send a donation!

Round up Holiday JKL Celebrations

Just keep livin students celebrated the holidays across the nation!

Some of our programs celebrated by sharing a meal. Our students at Akins High School in Austin, Texas and Venice High School, in Los Angeles, California hosted a gratitude dinner to break bread and share what they were thankful for.

The devastating mass shooting at Robb Elementary in Matthew’s hometown of Uvalde, Texas, pained us deeply and spurred us to action. We While some of our other programs decided to get on their feet with a holiday dance party. Our students at Animo Inglewood High School in Inglewood, California and East Laurens High School in Dublin, Georgia got their groove on and left everything on the dance floor, ready to start the new year! Our wonderful jkl staff created these lovely spaces for our students to give thanks and share their appreciation. What a way to transition into the New Year! set up a Uvalde Relief Fund to help with grief counseling and other immediate and long-term needs of the community. We opened a JKL program at Uvalde High School in order to provide students with a safe haven and a healthy way to come together. With our partners at Converse, we set up a college scholarship for Uvalde students to Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, the dream school of Maite Rodriguez, one of the victims of the shooting.

Young Life Weekend Adventure Camp

Our JKL program at Pinkston High School attended a two-night sleep away camp with Young Life Adventure Camp where they enjoyed a breathtaking thirty-acre lake as the backdrop to their camping experience.

From team sports and team-building activities to individual sports and games, Lakeview allowed the students to make fun memories that will last a lifetime!

Camila’s Tips: Easy Apple, Goat Cheese and Prosciutto Bites

This is the perfect recipe if you need to pull together an easy appetizer in a pinch for your next gathering!

These tasty bites are the perfect finger food, and the taste is perfection! You can’t go wrong with the combination of salty prosciutto, sweet apple, buttery rolls, and creamy goat cheese. It can be prepared the same day you’re serving or stay frozen until you’re ready to heat and eat!

This recipe checks all the boxes; easy to make, incredibly delicious, and beautifully presented on a holiday table.

Ingredients

• 8 oz tube of crescent rolls
• 4 oz goat cheese
• 1 honeycrisp apple, cored and sliced into very think slices
• 5 oz package of prosciutto
• Honey, for drizzling before serving

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Using a large piece of parchment paper, roll out the tube of crescent rolls and push the dough together to make one large rectangle, approximately 14″ wide and 10″ long. Use a rolling pin to smooth the dough.
Slice 6 strips on the long side and four strips on the short, slicing the rectangle into 24 equal size squares or as close to equal as possible.
Loosely place one square into each of the 24 muffin cup tins. The dough can cover only part of the muffin cup, just the bottom and up the side a bit.
In each muffin tin, add a small amount of goat cheese on top of the dough until all the goat cheese is used. If you cut the 4 oz goat cheese log in half lengthwise, you will have 2 half logs. Slice each half log into 12 equal pieces, and you will have 24 pieces of goat cheese for the muffin cups.
Take the thinly sliced apples and arrange 2 or 3 pieces into each muffin tin, apples can be higher than the muffin tin. Cutting the apple slices as needed to fit.
Divide out the prosciutto package into 24 pieces. Depending on the package’s number of slices, you may have to cut each slice into 4 or 5 pieces. Roll the prosciutto pieces any way you like, and fill each muffin tin with a piece of prosciutto.
If baking immediately: Place the muffin tin into the preheated 350-degree oven and bake for about 15 minutes or until the dough is golden brown.
If prepping in the morning to bake later in the day: The muffin tin can be loosely covered and refrigerated at this point until you’re ready to bake.
If making ahead to freeze: At this point the bites and be cooled completely, removed from the muffin tin and placed gently into a freezable container. When reheating these at a later date, preheat oven to 350 degrees and place each bite on a baking sheet. Heat for 10 minutes or until bites are heated through.

– Enjoy! Beijos Camila

Full recipe by Women of Today »

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