O.W. Holmes & The John Lewis Academy for Social Justice hosted our first mental health series event
Last Friday, The Derrick James Family Foundation in collaboration with Principal Sharron Jackson of O.W.
This year has been an incredible year of impact, growth, and community connection. Thanks to your support, we’ve accomplished so much together. As we close out this chapter, we’re filled with gratitude and excitement for what’s to come in 2025. Here’s to another year of transforming lives and making a difference together!
The Derrick James Family Foundation is honored to be able to make a difference in the Adopt-a-family program at Children’s Health again this year. The dedicated social workers identified a current inpatient family from Oak Cliff who was in need of support this holiday season. It was our privilege to work alongside them for the second year and provide assistance.
We were honored to personally make this generous donation right before the holiday season. We are grateful to partner with Children’s Health to be able to provide support to families in need this holiday season. We are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of children and families at Children’s Health Medical Center. Together, we are spreading hope and making a difference in the community!
We were honored to partner with the Dallas Police Department to provide turkeys for local families during their 5th Annual Christmas Food Giveaway Drive-Through Celebration at Paul Quinn College. It was a heartfelt day of service, bringing together our community, fellow nonprofits and supporters to make a meaningful impact.
A special thank you to Breakfast Brothers for helping us secure, store, and deliver the turkeys for the event. We are also deeply grateful to our incredible volunteers who dedicated their time to serve alongside us.
We look forward to continuing this tradition next year! Thank you to our stakeholders and everyone who supports our mission, helping us provide vital resources and serve our community in meaningful ways.
Brock Hoffman, offensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys, is the 2024 My Cause My Cleats Champion for the Derrick James Family Foundation! We are honored that Brock is showcasing our mission through the NFL’s My Cause, My Cleats campaign! This incredible initiative gives players a platform to represent causes close to their hearts on custom-designed cleats. This year, Brock is proudly partnering with DJFF to support our efforts in empowering and uplifting our community. Brock will be wearing his DJFF custom cleats Monday, December 9th when the Cowboys take on the Bengals. Stay tuned for more on this inspiring collaboration!
The Derrick James Family Foundation was honored to welcome back Dr. Jay Barnett, a renowned mental health expert, to speak with the young men at the John Lewis Social Justice Academy at O.W. Holmes on Monday. This event was part of our Mental Health Matters Series, a program dedicated to equipping 7th and 8th grade boys with the tools and knowledge they need to strengthen their mental health and build resilience.
Dr. Barnett delivered an impactful presentation, emphasizing the importance of managing emotions, practicing self-respect, and pausing to reflect before making decisions. The students were actively engaged, participating throughout the session, making the experience both transformative and inspiring.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our community partners who joined us in supporting this meaningful event:
• Amy Heath – Children’s Health
• Officer Devalon Lee – DPD Office of Community Affairs
Special thanks to Principal Edwin DuBois for allowing us the opportunity to pour into his students, and to our surprise guest Yella Beezy for your words of encouragement to the young men. Finally, a huge “thank you” to Trevor and Ivey Johns for sponsoring this Mental Health Matters event.
Together, we’re fostering a future where mental health and resilience are a foundation for our youth’s success.
Summer 2024 Highlight – The Derrick James Family Foundation was honored to be featured in Children’s Health annual report. We are excited to partner with them through our endowment for pediatric mental health.
“The Derrick James Family Foundation has made a monumental impact on our community through the Derrick James Family Foundation Endowment for Pediatric Mental Health. This visionary initiative addresses a critical need for comprehensive, high-quality, and accessible mental health services for children in all areas of Dallas, but especially in underserved communities like Oak Cliff.
The endowment not only fills a significant gap in pediatric mental health care, but also stands as a testament to the power of philanthropy in effecting meaningful change and creating a brighter, healthier future for all. By prioritizing the mental well-being of our youngest citizens, the Derrick James Family Foundation demonstrates extraordinary leadership and compassion. Children’s Health is immensely proud to be a partner in this transformative endeavor. Together, we are working to enhance the health and lives of children growing up in DFW, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive with the support they need.”
Aimee Heath – Development Officer Children’s Medical Center Foundation
Event Recap – Our founder Derrick James participated in Principal For A Day at John Lewis Social Academy At Oliver Wendell Holmes in DISD. It was wonderful to engage with the students and staff throughout the day. Everyone showed a great sense of pride about their school community. The Derrick James Family Foundation is honored to partner with John Lewis Social Academy At Oliver Wendell Holmes and make a transformative impact in the lives of their students.
Over the past year, we have been able to do amazing things in the community thanks to support from our generous donors. Here are some of the things we have been able to accomplish…
Thank you all for your continued support!
The Derrick James Family Foundation was founded in 2023 to give back to the South Dallas/Oak Cliff community that gave so much to him from childhood. He has a special place in his heart for the Oak Cliff Boys & Girls Club where he attended from the age of four. The community haven for young people afforded Derrick an opportunity to develop his boxing skills. As a result of his training at the Boys & Girls Club, Derrick was able to showcase his skills throughout the state of Texas, the entire nation and eventually the world!
Derrick went on to become a professional boxer and he is currently one of the premier boxing trainers in the world. None of his success would have been possible without the coaching, support and resources provided by the Oak Cliff Boys & Girls Club.
He recognizes his platform can make an impact in the lives of youth in the same community where he grew up. Therefore, Derrick committed to giving back to support youth attending the Oak Cliff Boys & Girls Club and helping meet needs in the surrounding communities.
Last Friday, The Derrick James Family Foundation in collaboration with Principal Sharron Jackson of O.W.
September 1, 2024 Over the past year, we have been able to do amazing things
Community based outreach to garner essential items for students and teachers to have a successful
Donations to the foundation will be utilized to alleviate the stress and financial burden of
The foundation will work with community partners to provide mental health resources and events for
Funding will be utilized to construct a multipurpose facility that will provide a continuum of