Bolles student creates nonprofit to help pay sports-related fees for foster children
A Bolles High School student created a nonprofit to help pay for fees related to sports for children in foster care.
When it comes to playing basketball, 16-year-old Jai Patel’s focus is all in.
Though he’ll never deny his love of the game, there’s something else that always stood out for Patel.
“When you’re playing a sport, yes, it’s fun to be part of a team, but it also creates a family and a bond, new friendships you have with your teammates, and not everybody has that,” Patel said.
Last Spring, Patel learned what that really means. During practice, he observed something involving his coach, Maurice Jackson.
“I’ve been a foster parent for over 20 years, and those two boys had been with me, I think, at that time, maybe almost two years,” Jackson said. “I couldn’t afford to pay for all of them to be on the team.”
Jackson said he did what he could by getting them involved in the YMCA, but if you know anything about sports, you know the costs add up quickly.
“Getting them some real access to qualified coaches and that kind of competitive sport where they could develop better skills and just really hone in on something, it’s hard because they don’t provide that kind of financial support for you,” Jackson said.
So, Patel decided to do something about it. He launched the Foster Athletic Network or FAN for short.
Through his nonprofit, Patel aims to help provide everything from registration fees, equipment, and even transportation for children in foster care participating in sports.
This all started because Patel saw a need.
“It’s sad thinking that not everyone’s as fortunate as me,” Patel said. “I’ve had so much given to me in my life, and I feel like it’s my duty, and I was put here to help people.”
Jackson said it makes him smile to hear Patel feel that way.
“It makes me smile, makes me have hope for the future because if a child at his age can see there’s a need and is willing to sacrifice his time, his efforts, his heart, his money, his passion, then that means there’s hope for all of us,” Jackson said.
Though FAN is still in its earliest stages, Patel has his sights on something far bigger, with a far wider impact.
“It’d be super amazing, not just for me, but all the people I could help through it, and all the kids, the families and everyone who benefits from it,” Patel said.
Sharing a love for sports with children in foster care by giving them a chance to feel the love of being part of a team.
Patel said if people aren’t able to donate, he’s also looking for mentors, sponsorships and any way someone can help. He’s also hoping to have a fundraiser coming up in the near future.
Ashley Harding joined the Channel 4 news team in March 2013. She anchors News4Jax at 5:30 and 6:30 and covers Jacksonville city hall.