Programs

For T.J. engages community through resource fairs that feature community giveaways, resource tabling with local nonprofit partners, and opportunities to meet and engage with local community leaders around their child’s education and the needs of their family and community. Past initiatives include:

• Providing over 40 pairs of slippers to 20 families living in 2 different shelters in partnership with The Second Step in Newton, MA.
• Donated 100 pairs of sneakers to children living in homeless shelters throughout Boston in partnership with New Balance.
• For T.J. Foundation donated 120 Little Big Dreamers books to students in Watertown Public Schools.

For T.J. runs a school day boys mentorship program currently working with 40 middle school students at Bigelow Middle School in Newton, MA and Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy in Dorchester, MA.

For T.J. works with students on a weekly basis, collaborating with classroom teachers to discuss what challenges they are facing and determine topics and themes for each session aimed to meet those needs. We provide a safe environment for students to engage in social emotional learning and navigate conflicts and challenges that arise at school.

Little Big Dreamers is a children’s book written by founder Lex Mongo. This book talks about the importance of how dreams give power to an individual’s ability to see and develop opportunities for themselves and others. By learning what it takes for dreams to become reality, and creating an environment where we dream big together as a community, we can grow together into something great. The book teaches that no matter what someone might look like or where they’ve come from, each person has unlimited potential and ability to fulfill their dreams with self-belief. The proceeds of sales from Little Big Dreamers goes towards supporting For T.J Foundation’s initiatives and programming.

For T.J. Foundation offers a curriculum for Elementary and Middle School students. This 8-week curriculum can be offered as a school day, afterschool, or summer program offering and includes themes around social emotional learning (SEL), financial literacy, and navigating transitions. This curriculum will be piloted as a school day program in January at Mattahunt elementary school.

For T.J. will soon offer a high school curriculum which, in addition to SEL and financial literacy, will include topics such as ‘Adulting 101’ that specifically explores post-high school transitions.