2025 Magazine Sneak Peek: From Foundation to Future

In spring 2025, Jeremiah Program proudly launched an inaugural milestone initiative: the JP Legacy Award.  

Designed to honor and uplift the children of JP alumni, the award recognizes young leaders between the ages of 13 and 25 who are actively making an impact in their communities. Winners receive investments in college savings accounts. This award is more than a scholarship, though; it is a testament to the power of JP’s two-generation approach in action — a reminder that when you support a mother in building a foundation for her family, she can transform the future for her children as well. 

This year, three outstanding students received inaugural Legacy Awards to support their educational and leadership journeys. Their stories reflect the ambition, tenacity, and dedication to the collective that define the JP community. 

Investing in the Next Generation 

The Legacy Award is open to children of JP graduates who have completed their degrees through the program and remain engaged with the alumni community. Each awardee receives financial support through a 529 account or state-sponsored savings plan to help advance their education, training, or community-based initiatives. The top recipient receives $10,000, followed by $5,000 for second place and $2,500 for third. 

But the Legacy Award is about more than financial assistance. It honors the lived experiences of JP families, celebrates the ripple effect of their hard work, and reinforces JP’s belief that the next generation deserves every opportunity to thrive. 

“These [young people] are JP alumni that are building their own legacies, and this is what it’s all about,” says Gloria Gonzales-Dholakia, JP’s VP of Alumni and Public Policy. “It’s about changing the narrative. It’s about letting the world know what’s possible when we invest in families.”  

First Place: Elijah – The Advocate 

Elijah’s story with the Jeremiah Program began when he was just 2 years old. During a time of profound transition, he moved into JP’s Minneapolis campus with his mother, JP alum Rhea Moen. A newly minted high school graduate, Elijah excels in the classroom, in athletics, and as a community leader. 

A tri-sport athlete and wrestling team captain, Elijah is known for his skill, sportsmanship, and genuine care for other students. When a classmate with autism went out for wrestling, Elijah offered support and encouragement that helped the young athlete feel more confident on the team. A heartfelt public post from the student’s mother describes Elijah as “one of the most AMAZING humans” and a person who “will forever be part of the woven fabric that makes up my family.” 

Elijah’s impact isn’t limited to sports. After multiple gun-related incidents at his high school, Elijah became a vocal advocate for safety and equity. He addressed a packed community forum with hundreds in attendance, later participating in policy discussions with district leaders that led to tangible reforms. His ability to speak the truth with clarity and compassion not only made an impression — it made his school safer. 

As a student leader, Elijah also helped implement “Black Girl Magic Day,” a student-led initiative now celebrated throughout his district. He continues to support youth empowerment and racial equity efforts across the Twin Cities, including volunteering with Achieving Dreams, a nonprofit that helps raise funds for academic and athletic opportunities. 

Elijah plans to study biomedical engineering with a focus on prosthetics, a field that combines innovation with purpose. He has already been accepted to multiple colleges and looks forward to bringing his passion for justice and service to the next chapter of his life. 

Second Place: Leilani – The Changemaker 

From the moment she entered the world, Leilani has understood the value of both service and resilience. Her mother, JP Alumni Fellow Tiffany Benson, modeled advocacy and purpose, from parenting through hardship to preserving community landmarks like the Harriet Tubman House in Boston. Leilani grew up learning how to use her voice and take action. 

As a student and activist, Leilani has already left her mark. Understanding the complexities of growing up without a father, she founded a peer support group for children with incarcerated parents. She channels her lived experience into leadership, ensuring other young people don’t feel alone in their struggles. 

Leilani is also an athlete, mentor, and advocate. She excels in basketball, volleyball, and track while encouraging her teammates. Off the court, she volunteers, organizes food drives, and mentors younger students and athletes. Her compassion is matched by a deep commitment to justice. Inspired by her experiences with bullying and marginalization, Leilani plans to pursue a career in law to advocate for underserved communities. 

Her involvement in Soul Sisters, a club focused on empowering young women of color, has further strengthened her voice. There, she organizes events, facilitates dialogue, and uplifts her peers — creating space for others to be heard and valued. 

“Leilani doesn’t just give back,” her mother writes. “She builds others up, ensuring the cycle of service continues.” 

Third Place: Tyzjaun “Ty” – The Builder 

As a high school student who just finished his freshman year with a nearly perfect GPA, Tyzjaun Sims is already showing what it means to be a thoughtful, service-minded leader. Known to family, friends, and teachers as “Ty,” he brings his whole heart to everything he does — from football to tutoring to entrepreneurship. 

A multi-sport athlete who plays both flag and tackle football, Ty values teamwork and discipline. But his impact extends beyond the field. At school, he regularly tutors peers in math and other subjects, aiming not only to improve grades but also to make learning feel empowering and accessible. “My goal is that people are happy to come to school,” he says. 

Ty’s mother, JP Alumni Fellow Lavasha Smith, describes him as a natural entrepreneur and team builder. In his Minneapolis-area middle school, he helped establish and lead the “Kindness Store,” a project where students used earned “kindness tickets” to buy snacks and gifts — a joyful way to promote empathy and school spirit. He also served as CEO of a Junior Achievement business called the Snack Shack, which won awards for best product and highest sales. His leadership helped spark ingenuity and confidence in his peers. 

Ty’s aspirations include continuing to support others through public speaking, mentorship, and creative leadership. He sees potential in everyone and works to bring people together in uplifting and inspiring ways. Lavasha couldn’t be prouder of his determination, empathy, and commitment to making a difference. 

A Legacy That’s Just Beginning 

The inaugural Legacy Award marks a new chapter in JP’s mission to disrupt poverty two generations at a time. These three awardees are living proof that when mothers have the resources to pursue education and stability, their children are free to dream bigger, lead boldly, and create lasting change. 

From Leilani’s advocacy to Elijah’s community leadership to Ty’s school-based impact, each student reflects a different expression of the JP legacy — one grounded in an unwavering belief in what’s possible. 

As JP continues to expand its alumni network and deepen its two-generation model, the Legacy Award is a powerful and exciting symbol of what families can achieve when equipped with real choices. And this is only the beginning.  

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