14th JCK Legends Day: Kelly's Heroes

THE JCK FOUNDATION'S IMPACT

What a journey it has been!

Since last year’s “Legends Day,” the JCK Foundation's workshops have reached more than 50 schools, directly impacting over 25,000 students, faculty, and parents. Our relationship with Swedish schools continues to thrive, with our program now active in over 20 schools across Sweden in the past two years. Additionally, we’ve expanded our efforts to upstate New York and made our first visit to schools in Wyoming. Looking ahead, we’re excited to collaborate with even more states in the upcoming fall. Throughout the 2023/2024 school year, we worked with over 20 new schools, significantly expanding our reach and fostering a stronger community!

This quote from a student really stuck out, "It was so inspiring to listen to Kevin and John talk. Knowing that you’re not alone, and hearing about what they both went through really impacted me. Although a lot of what they said reminded me of some dark time in my life, seeing them helped me realize that I’m still here today, and I got better. I now present myself as a resource to my friends if they ever need it because I have been through a lot of things that nobody should ever have to go through. I may not know exactly how they’re feeling, but I try my best to help. I thank Kevin and John for coming to my school and sharing such personal stories with all of us.”                                                        

  We have continued our “Student Legends Network” where students from various districts come together every other Thursday night to discuss ways to make mental health more approachable. These meetings foster self-care, support for friends and classmates, and the development of confidence, compassion, and essential skills. We’re delighted by its impact and hope it continues to flourish, benefiting as many students as possible! Additionally, our Legends Ambassador Clubs—sanctioned student-led clubs within JCK schools—empower participants to lead the charge against mental health stigma. Last year, we had three clubs in action, and we’re excited to launch four more next year, bringing the total to seven! 

This spring, we welcomed 14 high school interns from Westchester to our team. Their contributions have been remarkable! Anthony Santiago served as a Spanish translator for our recorded student program, expanding our reach. Theo Friedman created an impactful animated video highlighting mental health challenges. The interns’ candid written pieces about their own mental health journeys inspire us, and Riley Donat’s engaging podcast features inspiring stories, expert insights, and meaningful discussions on mental health.

We also recently had an inspiring filming session where psychologists shared essential resources and guidance, faculty supporters expressed the influence of our work in their schools, and courageous students shared their own stories and words about how the JCK Foundation’s efforts impacted their lives. We’re thrilled to announce that our Legends program was recorded in both English and Spanish! Below is a preview of our video catalog with empowering messaging and resources that students can access at any time!

We can' thank you enough for your support. It truly means the world to me and we will stop at nothing to help as many people as we possibly can!