Our Mission

The mission of the JP4 Foundation is to reimagine youth mentoring to create exponential impact on our communities.
We support our mission with year-round programming, summer-long camps, and an after-school program, the Diamond Club––all of which ensure that the youth we serve has consistent access to three vital components of holistic development: healthy activities, nourishing food, and meaningful relationships.
Summer-Long Camps – We partner with local schools, community centers, and other youth organizations to provide eight weeks of mentor-led summer-long camps for children ages 5-13 in underserved urban areas of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Diamond Club – Our after-school program is designed to ensure elementary students can create meaningful and authentic relationships with young adult mentors who share the students’ community and culture.

2023 Impact - A Year in Review - 2,858 meals served, 2,338 hours of positive experiences, 799 kids served, 31 mentors employed, and 9 program partners.
Circle charts of JP4 participants and program enrollment. Participants are 55% girls and 45% boys. Program Enrollment is 68% summer camp and 32% after-school.
Both programs are mentor-led and follow lesson plans developed by an Urban educator expert and are aligned with the MN Department of Education Social Emotional Implementation Guidelines. Lesson plans and activities are centered around our core mission:

Healthy Meals – Children receive healthy snacks of whole grains, fruit, and protein and have opportunities to take food home.

Healthy Activity – Physical activity combined with life skill building provides a unique and engaging approach to academic and social-emotional learning and promotes positive social interaction with peers and adults.
Meaningful Relationships – We maintain a 2:1 child-to-mentor ratio to ensure each child feels seen and heard. Healthy adult relationships profoundly impact a child’s development, providing support, inspiration, and the necessary skills to navigate life’s challenges and foster a brighter and more promising future for children, especially in underserved communities.