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The Good People Fund

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Kids

JAB Camps

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Jared Armstrong was a devoted basketball player…so much so that he now plays professional basketball in Israel. JAB Camp, began in the US and is now operating in Israel, as an educational sports program dedicated to using the power of basketball to combat hate, foster unity, and empower the next generation of athletes. Designed for youth ages 6-14, JAB Camp provides a comprehensive experience that extends beyond the game, equipping participants with essential life skills to help them succeed both on and off the court.

The curriculum combines elite basketball training with educational programming in financial literacy, nutrition, leadership, and inclusion. By integrating these critical components, campers develop not only as athletes but also as well-rounded individuals prepared to navigate life’s challenges. JAB Camp is committed to building bridges between diverse communities, promoting respect, and creating an environment where young athletes learn the values of teamwork, perseverance, and social responsibility.

Sport – Bridge to Education

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Engaging in sports teaches kids so many life lessons. They learn about rules, discipline, boundaries, cooperation and more.  Dr. Rutie Pilz-Burstein has dedicated a good part of her life to sports and research on its impact. Using those years of experience and study led her to begin Sport-Bridge to Education which operates in many youth villages and utilizes different sports activities to reach vulnerable youth who have lost their way.

Konnection

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Sharnese Marshall grew up in a loving and supportive household where attending school each day, getting good grades and helping others was instilled in her DNA from the beginning. And yet, in Detroit she witnessed a very different dynamic where chronic absenteeism and the problems that come with it were all too obvious. Kids from broken homes, unstable living conditions and economic challenges just didn’t go to school. In fact, Detroit leads the country in chronic absenteeism.

In 2019 Sharnese founded The Konnection to help youth from underserved communities feel supported and seen. The program focuses on connections and relationships, keeping kids engaged and excited about school. A school-based clothes closet, field trips, personal mentoring along with education, unlock students’ potential and provides opportunities that ensure success in school and life.

Elevate to Even Plus

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George Floyd’s brutal murder in 2020 shocked our country and inspired a renewed determination to promote greater equality throughout our society. For Andrew Walker it was a wake-up call that reminded him that it was the time to “not only talk the talk, but also to walk the walk.” He created Elevate to Even Plus to break this cycle of inequality for underserved students, offering them paid internships and mentoring with both nonprofit and for-profit organizations, and an opportunity for hands-on learning, making connections and setting a path for a future career. Andrew says, “These young adults are smart and motivated, only needing a chance to gain experience and confidence. Our role is to open the door to opportunities they would not get otherwise.” Participating nonprofits and businesses, meanwhile, get access to smart, motivated talent at little to no cost to them.

Waves of Hope

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In his youth, Eliyahu Ben Zion was drawn to the power of the sea and became an Israeli surfing champion. At 19, he adopted a more religious lifestyle and eventually was encouraged to use his surfing talents for something new.

Throughout Israel’s religious communities there are disaffected youth who have left school and community. With no support system they often fall prey to anti-social behavior. It is for these youth, both young men and women, that Eliyahu created a unique therapeutic program. “It is amazing to see how with just one small push on the surfboard you can see a child succeed,” Eliyahu says. As he puts it, “The obstacles of the sea teach them to cope with the barriers and difficulties in their lives.”

“When I enter the water, I empty all of my thoughts,” says Dovid, one of the program’s graduates.

Our funds are used for a new class for girls.

English B’Yachad*(English Together)-Skilled Volunteers for Israel

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For many years, Marla Gamoran provided a meaningful way for people to volunteer on-site for Israeli organizations. As COVID made that work impossible, English B’Yachad was born. English language volunteers, working from their homes in the States, tutor Israeli young adults from the Ethiopian and other disadvantaged communities, to improve economic opportunity.  The outcomes are profound!

Our funds are used for their minimal administrative expenses.