JAK‑L FOUNDATION — RADIANT HOPE — EST. 2023
MISSION 01
"We may not be unbreakable, but together we can become unstoppable"
– Christine Afful
OUR COMMITMENT
A dedicated force for mental health, suicide prevention, and crisis response. Empowering communities through education and radical compassion.
Together We Move for Mental Health.
Over 100 people joined us today for the JAK‑L Strides 5K — every step a stride toward hope.
Donate NowQPR Gatekeeper Training — Learn to recognize the warning signs of suicide and connect someone to help. Open to all.
You Are Cordially Invited
JAK‑L
HIDEAWAY
✦ Unlock the Door to Tomorrow ✦
December 5, 2026
Sturbridge Host Hotel & Conference Center · Sturbridge, MA
Formal 1920's Attire · 5:00–11:00 PM · $100 per person
Proceeds support Hope Squad, student scholarships, and free mental‑health awareness trainings.
02 / Our Foundation
Who We Are
The Jak‑L Foundation was born from deep love and profound loss — a promise to turn pain into purpose. Founded in loving memory of Julie Lulu, whose fierce spirit and laughter continue to inspire us, we stand as a compassionate force for mental health, suicide prevention, and crisis response. Our work is rooted in empathy and education, breaking silence and stigma while building spaces of hope and healing. Through every effort, we honor Julie's legacy by empowering communities and families to care for one another, ensuring no one faces their mental health challenges alone.
What We Do
We support mental health in our community by funding school‑based programs that foster connection and peer support, offering free suicide‑prevention training to empower everyday people with lifesaving skills, and providing scholarships to students who are pursuing careers in the mental health field. Our work strengthens awareness, builds resilience, and helps create a community where care and compassion are always within reach.
Healing isn't a straight line; it's a journey of strength, courage, and grace. Every step forward, no matter how small is a VICTORY.”
— D. Brooke
How We Use Your Support
Hope Squad
We fund Hope Squad in local middle and high schools, giving students a peer‑supported way to look out for one another and connect someone to help when they're struggling. This nationally recognized program trains trusted, peer‑nominated students to notice warning signs, offer support, and help create safer, more connected school communities.
Learn MoreMental Health Initiatives
We provide free QPR training to community members, giving people the skills to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and connect someone to help. QPR — which stands for Question, Persuade, Refer — is an evidence‑based, lifesaving approach that empowers everyday people to respond with confidence and compassion.
Learn More
Scholarships
We provide college scholarships to graduating seniors who are pursuing degrees in the mental health field, including those focused on mental health advocacy. By supporting students who are committed to creating change, we help build the next generation of compassionate professionals and advocates our communities urgently need.
Contribute04 / Our Measurable Impact
Awareness saves lives.
Action saves communities.
Every dollar donated supports community‑based efforts to erase stigma, start meaningful conversations about the importance of mental health, and provide essential funding for awareness programs that strengthen our community.
1 in 5
adults experience mental illness.
2nd
leading cause of death for ages 10–34.
34%
Increase in crisis-hotline call volume year-over-year.
76%
Success rate of suicide-prevention interventions.
Ready to
restore hope?
Your support fuels community‑based initiatives that promote awareness, education, and open conversations. Join the JAK‑L Foundation in making a meaningful impact today.
2026
JAK‑L FOUNDATION