December Newsletter

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays! As the year ends and we look forward to 2025, we thank you for supporting our mission to empower high school students to lead active lives and make healthy choices. In 2024, thanks to partners like you, we served over 3,000 students across 45 schools in 16 cities!

This year brought great opportunities to deepen our impact. In March, 30 students from eight schools visited Washington, D.C., to advocate for better mental health services and more funding for after-school programs. For many, it was their first flight, and the experience empowered them to find their voices.

Our annual Field Days also grew in popularity, bringing hundreds of students together to celebrate achievements through fitness, nutrition, and fun.

We are deeply grateful for you, and as our students often say in Gratitude Circles, they are thankful for your generosity as well. One student, Ashley Doyle, shared, “I’m grateful for just keep livin for providing a safe, supportive space after school, and to JKL for finding the best leaders to mentor me and keep the program going.”

From our Foundation team—Shannon, Shannon S., Jenny, Leon, Danielle, Diana, and David—we wish you and your loved ones a happy and healthy holiday season! 

In the meantime, and all times, just keep livin,

Camila and Matthew McConaughey

Program Highlights

2nd Annual JKL Winter Wellness Event

This month, we kicked off our 2nd annual Winter Wellness Event! It was an evening filled with community, expert-led discussions, and enriching activities, leaving everyone a bit happier and healthier. JKL students from Animo Inglewood, Venice, and Hamilton arrived to a vibrant atmosphere of music, games, crafts, and the comforting warmth of hot chocolate. Suze Yalof Schwartz, founder of Unplug Meditation, led a calming group meditation that helped everyone center and prepare for the engaging panel discussion that followed.

Our guest speakers, including Dr. Jenny Taitz, a renowned author and clinical psychologist, and Dr. Robin Berman, our respected JKL Advisory Board Member and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and Erin Lotz, a skilled Clinical Psychotherapist, captivated the students with their knowledge. They shared practical stress-coping strategies and fostered an open dialogue on mental health and resilience, making the panel a highlight of the night.

Post-panel, the festivities continued with a delicious dinner and the event concluded with a Gratitude Circle, where students and speakers shared their reflections and expressed their thanks. A shout-out to all our guest speakers, whose contributions greatly enhanced the event. Their dedication to empowering our students provided everyone with the tools and inspiration needed to thrive through all seasons of life. Thank you to everyone who joined and contributed to making this event a spectacular success. We look forward to continuing this tradition!

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JKL x Academy Sports + Outdoors

On Saturday, December 7th, 50 of our JKL students and their families gathered for a heartwarming Winter Giveaway celebration, made possible through our partnership with Academy Sports + Outdoors in Austin. The morning was filled with festive cheer, breakfast, prize giveaways, and holiday excitement! Each student was thrilled to receive a brand-new bike and helmet, courtesy of Academy Sports’ generous donation. We are incredibly grateful for their support in making this event so special for our community!

Student Spotlight

Student spotlight

JKL student Hannah is in her third year as a member and leader of our James Lawson H.S. program and is thriving! The JKL program has become Hannah’s family hub, where she feels safe and supported. She has made many meaningful friendships and has enjoyed countless first-time experiences. “Being able to fly on an airplane for the first time and visit D.C. and speak on behalf of the JKL program is a significant highlight of my JKL journey so far,” Hannah said. As many of our students expressed, the gratitude circle has been a pillar for them to be more grateful and understand the value of empathy, and that is what it has done for Hannah:

 “Over the last 3 years, Hannah has been a light in the program. She goes above and beyond for her community and brings a smile to everyone’s face” – JKL James Lawson Instructor. 

Hannah has one more year left of high school. She is interested in obtaining a Cosmetology degree and having a creative outlet with a photography business. It’s always a breath of fresh air when we see our JKL students set goals and implement the necessary steps to accomplish them. We wish Hannah well and support her in all her efforts. 

Camila’s Corner: Better For You Hot Chocolate

Sip, Savor, Smile: This 3-ingredient, naturally sweetened hot chocolate is holiday happiness in a cup. Click here for the full recipe! 

JKL Swag of the Month

Layer Up! 

Dive into the layer debate: To layer, or not to layer? No matter your choice, our triblend long sleeve hooded tee has you covered! Perfectly weighted and irresistibly soft, it’s a standout solo or a cozy companion under a blazer or puffer vest. Purchase here!