JMJ Fund Goals & Results
The Jeffrey Milano-Johnson Memorial Fund supports a number of wide ranging initiatives and programs targeting youth development and family support. The Fund allows Jeff's zest for life and his love of people to continue well into the future.
Programs Supported to Date:
Programs for Youth
The JMJ Fund is committed to supporting evidence -based programs for Rochester city youth. Funding decisions for each program are made after careful consideration of the organizational sponsor and their programmatic outcome measures. This year, we have developed a partnership with (the Rochester) Children's Agenda to assist us in identifying programs supported by rigorous research having a proven track record and targetting critical needs of our city's youth.
Grace Community Village, Inc. sponsors after school, summer and youth empowerment programs to Northwest Rochester Families. Other funders of this program include the Greater Rochester Health Foundation, the Wilmott Foundation and the United Methodist Church.
Partners in Community Development aims to improve the lives of those in low-income housing. It sponsors Kids Care which provides high quality, affordable before and after school and summer care for school aged children.
Generation G2 links older adults and college students to first graders and in so doing helps these children develop their self-esteem and begin to build the foundation needed to lead a productive life. Generation G2 was founded and is operated by a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
The Nurse Family Partnership, a national program with a local presence, is a nurse visitation program for low-income first-time moms. Women enroll in the program early in their pregnancy and continue in the program until their child turns two years old. NFP has been shown to improve pregnancy outcomes; improve child health and development; and improve the economic self-sufficiency of the family.
The Coping Program housed at the Children's Institute reduces violence and aggressive behavior in youth in 4th and 5th grades. During the 2010-2011 school year, Coping Power is at three Rochester City Schools.
JMJ Scholarships
Rochester City School District Students
The JMJ Memorial Fund sponsors a scholarship program for Rochester city school district seniors who have characteristics similar to Jeff's and meet other criteria.
In 2010, four Rochester School District Seniors received JMJ Memorial Scholarships. Janneshia Cole, Rubi Partida, Dianalis Polanco, and Kadre Roberts each received a JMJ Memorial Scholarship. Initial plans called for awarding one scholarship to a graduate of a Rochester high school. After receiving forty applications from Rochester City School District seniors the decision was made to award each of these outstanding seniors a JMJ Memorial scholarship. Click here for a picture of the 2010 JMJ Memorial Scholarship winners.
Every adult remembering his/her high school years knows well the strength of character and courage needed to choose a path significantly different from his/her peers. Under incredible pressure and adversity, each of these Rochester city school district graduates did just this which opened doors and opportunities not readily available to most other Rochester city school district graduates.
Section V Lacrosse Players
The JMJ Fund also sponsors an annual scholarship for a male or female lacrosse player from Section V who possesses passion and talents similar to Jeff's and meets other criteria. The 2010 Section V scholarship winners were Ashley Herbst and Sarah Pritchard. The 2009 Section V scholarship winner was Kyle Van Thof from Penfield.
Ceremony of Remembrance
The JMJ Fund supported the fourth Annual Ceremony of Remembrance held on Sunday, December 12, 2010. This interfaith celebration of children (of any age) who have died attracted 150 individuals from all parts of the city and suburbs. The event is held each year to help families and friends of children who have died and provide them with an avenue to include their deceased children in a meaningful way during the holidays. Held in conjunction with the Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candlelighting Event, the 2010 event featured a harpist, several soloists, candlelighting, a slide show and refreshments and support.
Click here for the photoshow of the deceased children honored during the Ceremony of Remembrance. For more information about Compassionate Friends go to www.tcfrochester.org.
