Johanna Wharton – Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation

By Editor | May 10, 2015 |

Industry Leaders of Southwestern Illinois

   “The Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation builds Dream, Drive, and Determination in youth 5-24 years old from Greater East St. Louis. Located in East St. Louis for 20 years, the Foundation serves over 2,200 youth annually.
    Youth at the Foundation participate in summer camps, after school programs, tutoring, recreation, art, year round sports (football, soccer, basketball, East St. Louis Wrestling Club, baseball, cheerleading, dance, volleyball, and tennis) and character education.
    The Foundation is currently preparing to launch a character education curriculum that Jackie Joyner-Kersee developed called “Winning in Life”. The curriculum teaches youth to translate success in sports to success in school and life. I am also excited about expanding programming that focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math and Reading. This will meet the most urgent needs of the communities that we serve.
    The Foundation is located in a 41,000-square-foot building with a state of the art gymnasium, dance studio, commercial kitchen, computer lab, fitness studio, boys and girls locker rooms, multi-purpose and meeting space. The Foundation sits on 37 acres. I consider it an honor to serve an organization that represents excellence and a strong commitment to helping children reach their highest potential. I appreciate all of the community volunteers, organizations and corporations that provide the support and resources needed so that we can be a “Best in Class” youth development organization.