FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Led by incoming Program Manager, Isaiah Lufkin, the merger will empower local leadership and drive sustainable community growth
MINNEAPOLIS — May 20, 2025 — JP4 Foundation (JP4), a leading youth mentorship program that connects kids with mentors from their own communities, announced its merger with local nonprofit World Youth Connect (WYC). This partnership aims to broaden community outreach and empower more youth-led initiatives across the Twin Cities.
As part of the merger, JP4’s research-based Diamond Club program—which offers both after-school and summer programming—will become part of WYC’s portfolio of dynamic, youth-driven programs starting on June 1, 2025. Isaiah Lufkin, a leadership team member at JP4, will step into the role of Program Manager at WYC, bringing deep expertise in youth mentorship and a strong record of leadership that will help elevate and unify the organizations’ combined efforts.
“JP4 provides dual-track programming – that not only pairs youth with mentors from their neighborhoods but also equips those mentors with essential life skills: everything from cooking and budgeting to filing taxes,” said Isaiah Lufkin, incoming Program Manager of WYC. “By merging with WYC, we’ll deepen those neighborhood ties and match even more young people with mentors who understand their world, empowering a new generation of Twin Cities leaders.”
WYC champions youth leadership and community engagement, empowering young people to spearhead local initiatives, making it a natural match for JP4. This merger strategically aligns both organizations to strengthen youth support and drive lasting growth across the Twin Cities.
“Bringing JP4 and WYC together marks the culmination of nearly a decade of community-rooted mentorship,” said Tammy Levi, Board Member at the JP4 Foundation. “By merging our organizations, we won’t just create the next chapter in our stories, we’ll create a multiplier effect for a new generation of community leaders across the Twin Cities.”
JP4 Board Member Tammy Levi will transition to serve on the board of WYC, continuing her commitment to reimaging youth mentoring.
About JP4 Foundation
JP4 is a youth mentorship program that connects students with trained mentors from their own communities to spark a powerful multiplier effect. From the Diamond Club after-school programs and summer camps, JP4 provides ongoing training, academic support and leadership development for young people across the Twin Cities. For more information on JP4 and its mentorship programs, visit www.jp4foundation.com.
About World Youth Connect
World Youth Connect is a Saint Paul-based organization that gives young people the opportunity to take on leadership roles and create meaningful change within their community. By creating and encouraging civic engagement opportunities, they help young people gain the skills they need to be successful. World Youth Connect is committed to building community across cultures, and beyond borders through near-peer mentorship. Visit www.worldyouthconnect.org to read more on World Youth Connect’s impact in the Twin Cities.