Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating

CRAB provides therapeutic benefits of sailing to people with disabilities, recovering warriors, and youth from underserved communities. JKF is a proud supporter of this organization, and has granted funding again this year to replace aging sails and for other efforts.

JKF President, Joel Kagan and his wife Yuka, JKF Grant Coordinator made a personal visit to CRAB for review the program and see the impact our donations have made. It was a productive visit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A regatta of boats for the disabled or disadvantaged, all proudly flying the JKF logo.

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DIVEHEART

Diveheart helps children, veterans and other with disabilities through adaptive scuba opportunities and scuba therapy.  The following is a story from an injured veteran adaptive diver:

The chronic pain from his spinal cord injury is constant. After his injury and subsequent rehabilitation, Air Force Pilot Ian James Brown had to make the choice to take medication for the pain or to tough it out. Ian chose the latter. His reasoning was that medication might mask pain that could be indicating a different problem in his body. He didn’t want that and chose to live with the chronic pain.

Thanks to a grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Ian was able to join Diveheart on an adaptive scuba trip in 2013 to Cozumel, Mexico. Over the years he joined us on a couple more trips with other Veterans with disabilities to the Florida Keys. Ian had become an accomplished adaptive diver and after medical school, an accomplished physician.

The Deep Pool Project

Diveheart is building the world’s first deep, warm-water pool designed for adaptive scuba and water therapy. This state-of-the-art facility will provide a safe, year-round environment where people of all abilities can experience the freedom of zero gravity, advance rehabilitation, and support groundbreaking research.

Learn more about the Project, and more incredible success stories from Diveheart here:https://diveheart.org/deep-pool-project/

 

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Dec My Room’s vision is to create personalized healing places for long- term pediatric and young adult patients. They work to decorate hospital rooms for children who face this prolonged care by creating each room to match the interests of the child, and have had a profound impact on their recovery times.

 

Recent photos of DecMyRoom’s efforts:

 

 

 

 

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Adaptive Sports Program New Mexico (ASPNM)

 

ASPNM offers therapeutic recreational activities to children and adults with disabilities. Today, ASPNM proudly offers a wide variety of adaptive sports year round, including skiing, snowboarding, watersports, river rafting, archery, rock climbing and more. 

Programs are open to children and adults with disabilities at locations throughout New Mexico. Some programs are open to family members and caregivers. Veteran-specific programs are offered periodically throughout the year. Photos below show the program in action in a variety of sports, and the Kagan Foundation reps, Marc and Joanne, delivering this year’s grant.

 

 

This video shows the real meaning of the word “adaptive”:  https://youtu.be/VBTl1loyA8k

 

 

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The New Mexico Children’s Foundation

 

JKF continues support for NMCF, due to its mission to find and sustain very small, but locally critical,  New Mexico non-profits whose missions are to help children. Whether focusing on disabilities, literary challenges, abuse, or supporting activities to support STEM and similar efforts – all are worthy efforts.

JKF Board members Marc and Joanne Kagan recently delivered a donation in support of NMCF’s work. Picture below shows Marc and Joanne (right), together with Gary King (President NMCF, center), and Beth Wells, Secretary and Board Member NMCF (left).

 

 

Recent feedback from NMCF efforts follows here.

Igniting Young Minds: STEM Education for Every Child in Carlsbad

Since 2014, Inspired by Science, a dedicated STEM education organization, has transformed learning opportunities for elementary students in Carlsbad, New Mexico, directly impacting over 12,500 children and their families. With a clear mission to promote STEM education at the elementary level, they provide low-cost experiences for any youth interested in science, technology, engineering, and math, regardless of their family’s economic status.

The need is urgent. Carlsbad’s high school science proficiency rate stands at just 22%, and nearly 80% of future careers will require STEM-related training. This organization addresses the gap by offering year-round programming that allows children to deeply explore STEM concepts beyond school time constraints. Operating through strong community partnerships, their hands-on approach emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork while building confidence in young participants. Many projects become keepsakes, encouraging continued exploration at home.

The support provided by the New Mexico Children’s Foundation is vital to our mission. Without partners like you, we would not be able to offer high-quality, hands-on STEM education to all children across our community. Our curriculum is designed to spark interest in STEM-related fields, and we believe every child deserves the opportunity to explore whether that path is right for them. Thank you, New Mexico Children’s Foundation, for your commitment to equity in education and for partnering with us to inspire the next generation of innovators!”   Deena Antiporda, Executive Director,  Inspired by Science.

Artrageous Artreach Expands Virtue Education Across New Mexico

In an era where children spend unprecedented hours in front of screens, leading to increased anxiety, social isolation, and physical inactivity, the Artrageous Artreach Theater, Arts, and Performance Camp offers a vital antidote. This transformative summer program immerses K-12 students from low-income demographics in an interactive, screen-free environment where creativity flourishes and connections deepen.

 

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Heroes Healing Homestead (soon part of Open Circle)

 

JKF has become a strong supporter of the Kilcher family and their efforts to help veterans. Atz, the original catalyst in this venture, served in Vietnam, and has dedicated his life to supporting fellow service men and women. Atz’s father was an original homesteader in Alaska, so Atz and his siblings grew up “off the grid”.

Heroes Healing Homestead provides a place for our nation’s heroes to commune with each other and nature. A place to experience the healing power of shared stories, music and learning to build a homestead together in the magic of Alaska’s Kachemak Bay. “Together we will build the trails and roads that reconnect each of us with the land and our warrior spirit.”

Founded by Atz Kilcher and members of his family, they seek to help rehabilitate veterans through immersive experiences deep in the Alaska wilderness.

They have partnered with the University of Utah Cognitive Center to help measure outcomes and gains in resilience, adaptability, and well-being, and have begun a partnership with the Open  Circle, a foundation whose mission is to provide wilderness experiences, deep listening, mentorship, and community service to support young adults, first responders, veterans, and people across divides to build a more caring and connected world.

This video provides more information about HHH:

https://youtu.be/W6M2IiamDAE?si=dwol2aBnFaV8LuWg 

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Studies have shown that high intensity workouts help preserve quality of life for those living with Parkinson’s. The Rock Steady Boxing exercises orchestrates those high intensity workouts in a safe, supportive and compassionate environment. The Jack Kagan Foundation proudly supports this critical need in the are of Northern New Mexico.

Capital Improvement

POP Santa Fe wants to be Northern New Mexico’s premier center for Parkinson’s wellness, collaboration, and community. To do this, they have embarked on a capital campaign that will not only expand their facilities, but make POP Santa Fe the community hub for people living with Parkinson’s in Northern New Mexico.

The expanded gym will be thoughtfully designed to support a wide range of therapeutic and fitness activities:
• A dedicated area for boxing bags and equipment
• A matted space for stretching and safe falling practice
• A brain fitness zone with an interactive wall to promote cognitive health and hand-eye coordination
• A track and harness system for participants who cannot stand on their own, to build lower body strength and increase confidence with gait and balance exercises
• Well-organized storage areas to keep everything accessible and safe

Beyond the gym, there will be a  kitchen-equipped community room used for support group meetings, group speech therapy, and social or educational events. A/V technology enables us to offer virtual classes, ensuring that even home-bound participants can stay connected and active.

Also featured:
• A cardio area with stationary bikes and other fitness equipment
• A quiet, separate studio space ideal for yoga, tai chi, and similar practices

POP Santa Fe will be Northern New Mexico’s premier center for Parkinson’s wellness, collaboration, and community. They are and will continue to be an all-inclusive organization committed to taking exercise, connection, and support for people with Parkinson’s to the next level. With support and donations such as those from the Jack Kagan Foundation, acquisition of the target properties and elements will allow POP Santa Fe to realize this vision.