Service Spotlight: New Jersey Give a Kid A Dream

I’ll never get tired of talking about the ways The Smile Project has brought so many wonderful people into my life. A perfect example is the friendship we’ve formed with Matt’s Kindness Ripples On. Each month they recognize individuals and organizations who are making the world a kinder place. You’ll see many of their honorees turn up on The Smile Project blog as we love the community we’ve formed through lifting each other up.

With that said, I’m thrilled to introduce Jacklyn Atkins (director and founder) of New Jersey Give a Kid a Dream (NJGAKAD) in Long Branch, NJ.

Liz: Let’s start in traditional Smile Project fashion. Give me a “Happiness is!”

Jacklyn: Happiness is making a difference.

Liz: Tell me about New Jersey Give a Kid a Dream.

Jacklyn: New Jersey Give a Kid a Dream (NJGAKAD) Champions of Life program is a 501c3 organization that supports at-risk youth using the discipline of amateur Olympic-style boxing while expanding into fitness, health, mentoring, social etiquette, and academic development. The Champions of Life concept teaches youth to not only declare themselves champions in the ring but to strive to become champions in life.

Liz: What is the driving force behind what you do?

Jacklyn: To provide every child with the same opportunity and chance to succeed. The people that show up every day to make NJGAKAD possible feel blessed in life and only want to give back and help others so that they may share that same blessed feeling. Our success stories could fill many pages, but the truth is we would do the work even if we changed the life of only one child!

Liz: What does service mean to you?

Jacklyn: Service means showing up, being consistent, giving with no expectation, and then finding the reward is a heart so full, some days you think it may overflow.

Liz: How can people get involved? 

Jacklyn: Thank you for checking us out! Like most humble foundations we operate purely on the generosity and goodness of others. Sometimes that’s a monetary donation, other times it’s giving of one’s time, connections or knowledge. Most important is doing this—spreading the word and asking people for positive wishes because we know that “kindness” and “awareness” makes this journey a better one!

You can follow NJGAKAD at their main Facebook page or at the Boxing Fitness page or on Instagram and Twitter.

Liz: Anything else you'd like to add?

Jacklyn: Thank you to The Smile Project for not only noticing us, but for being interested enough to hear more!! Thank you to Matt’s Kindness Ripples On for making that referral. Connecting to like minded souls that are doing everything in their power to improve this journey of life is the cornerstone of our values and what we instill in our youth. Being surrounded by greatness leads to greatness; being surrounded by kindness leads to kindness. Please know we now consider you both forever in our corners and part of our extended family. Please know our youth will know about both of your missions, because they are forever grateful and aware of the village it takes to support them. Please know YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE!!

Liz: Do you have a favorite quote or piece of advice to leave us with?

Jacklyn: So hard to pick just one, and being we love the sport of boxing we often reference amazing quotes by the amazing Muhammad Ali:

“If my mind can conceive it, if my heart can believe it, then I can achieve it.”

“Don’t count the days. Make the days count.”

“Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”

And, our friends at the K.E.Y.S Academy close every email with this incredible Maya Angelou quote:

"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."