New England Patriots Foundation and the Kraft Family Named Jhondell Smith-Young as "Patriots Difference Maker of the Week"
The Celebrate Volunteerism initiative aims to share examples of dedicated volunteers, build awareness of the need for volunteering, identify and educate others about volunteer opportunities and inspire New Englanders to follow the Kraft family's example of becoming lifelong volunteers.
Throughout the season, the Kraft family and the New England Patriots Foundation will celebrate volunteers that work tirelessly to support children and families in need throughout the New England region, while also encouraging Patriots fans to get involved in their communities. (See video from the event HERE)
Each week, the Kraft family and Foundation recognizes one outstanding volunteer as the "Patriots Difference Maker of the Week." Seventeen outstanding volunteers will be named as a Patriots Difference Maker of the Week and will be featured on patriots.com. (https://www.patriots.com/news/the-kraft-family-and-gillette-award-100-000-to-nonprofits-during-pregame-ceremon )
This week, Greatest MINDS Boston college member Jhondell Smith-Young was picked as the outstanding volunteer for the "Patriots Difference Maker of the Week." The mission of Greatest MINDS Boston is to provide mentorship and guidance to citizens and first-generation college students seeking to become active and successful contributors to civil society. Their goal is to give students access to college, career, and community networks.
Jhondell is a student in Boston. He has worked in distressed inner-city neighborhoods and has always kept mentoring and volunteering as a core of his character and commitment to the community. Over the last two years, he has led a team of high school students teamed up with college students to help students with learning loss during the 2020-2021 academic year. Many of those times, especially in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, he has been able to help set up many in-person college programs, volunteer programs feeding the less fortunate, and also set up recreational camps in the summer at Washington Park in Roxbury, MA for pre-teens.
It is important that young people see young Black men take leadership in their communities. The volunteer work that Jhondell exemplifies is the caring and healing work that Greatest MINDS Boston aims to see in the community: showing pre-teens and teenagers to not give up, to be resourceful, and to do their best to help one another.
The Patriots Difference Makers will participate in a special year-end celebration and receive a pair of tickets to attend the Patriots final regular season home game on Jan. 1 against the Miami Dolphins.
The Kraft family and Foundation encourage all Patriots fans to join us by nominating an individual for the "Patriots Difference Maker of the Week award, making a donation to our collection drives, or by volunteering in their local communities. Be sure to check back here throughout the season for the most up-to-date information on the Celebrate Volunteerism initiative.
Check out the other Patriots Difference Makers of the Week on their website: https://www.patriots.com/community/pdm