Telling the Stories that Need to be Told
Our Mission
The JDMJA Foundation builds, strengthens, and develops communities by:
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Cultivating empathy and mutual understanding across diverse populations.
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Telling the stories that need to be to inspire action and reveal essential truths
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Helping people claim their dignity so that every person is seen, acknowledged, and valued as a human being
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Providing opportunities for people and organizations to live up to their full potential through access to education and experience
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Creating space for people to shine as their authentic selves
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Celebrating the lived experiences and interests of our founders, Michael J. Aden and JD Miller
Highlighted Support
Auditorium Theatre Student Matinee Series
Provides school students with a vital first exposure to theater. By featuring performers who look like them, these matinees ignite hope and create access to the arts, inspiring students to envision their full potential.
Care for Friends Community Hub
A modern home base to provide essential services to at-risk individuals - including meals, grocery delivery and healthcare in an environment of dignity and respect. This foundational support ensures that everyone, including long-time residents and recently arrived migrants, has a seat at the table and the opportunity to live up to their full potential.
Professorial Scholarship in Communication, UIUC
By examining media's role in shaping worldviews, social trust, and attitudes toward marginalized and underrepresented groups, this researcher's work deepens meaningful knowledge and contributes to creating greater understanding and empathy for others.
South Chicago Dance Theatre Fundraising Support
Helping the organization secure the foundations for self-sustainability by providing the coaching and resources needed to engage their donor community. This investment supports SCDT's mission to reframe trauma through creative storytelling, ensuring the community’s narratives are told, artists claim their dignity and shine as their authentic selves.