JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The City of Jacksonville is considering awarding a $500,000 grant to the Boselli Foundation, an organization dedicated to equipping the next generation of leaders through athletics, academics, and character development.
Jen Vihrachoff, the executive director of the Boselli Foundation, says the grant will help support two key initiatives: the teacher fellowship program and the mentoring program.
The mentoring program, in particular, connects male community leaders with young men in local juvenile detention centers and jails.
“Our goal is to ensure that they have the support and resources they need to be successful and to not recidivate,” Vihrachoff said.
Jamaal Medley, a volunteer mentor for the Boselli Foundation, has been working with young men through the program for eight months.
Each mentoring session, also known as cohorts, lasts about five weeks and is designed to build trust and address the challenges these young men face.
“You can see this transformation from week one to week five,” Medley shared. “Most of these young men recognize that it’s therapeutic to talk about some of these things. They walk out of the program feeling a lot better about themselves, raising their self-esteem.”
For Medley, the work is personal. Reflecting on his own experiences, he said, “I’ve had family members who’ve had contact with the criminal justice system. I think about what it might have looked like if they had strong, positive male role models in their lives.”
Medley says some of the young men who complete the program also want to give back.
“We’ve seen tangible examples of success,” Medley noted. “Some of these young men have gone on to do great things, and some even want to return and help the organization.”
The Boselli Foundation believes the grant will enhance its ability to make meaningful impacts. Medley emphasized the importance of mentorship in shaping young men’s futures.
“I think all of us have a vested interest in seeing these young men grow, overcome challenges, and be positive contributors to our society,” he said. “We all win when these young men recognize their value, and we see value in them as well.”
The Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee is set to review the grant on Nov. 19.