Our Programs
JLD Community Solutions aims to provide solutions that bring value to the community with an emphasis on preventing young men of color from being on the giving or receiving end of gun violence.
JLD Scholarship Fund
The JLD Scholarship Fund was established in 2010 with a mission to honor the legacy of Johnny Leroy "Lee-Lee" Dawkins, Jr. by providing scholarship awards to young men of color upon graduating high school for the purpose of pursuing a higher education while joining the fight against gun violence.
We have been honored to consistently award scholarships annually totaling over $15,000 as a result of the support from our community. It is our desire to double the scholarships awarded every year. In 2023 we were blessed to award $3,000 in scholarships.
Our 2024 goal is to award $6,000!
Recipients of the JLD Scholarship Fund have made valuable contributions to their families and the community becoming husbands, fathers, teachers, city officials, real estate agents, production company owners and more!
Applications are currently open to young men of color graduating from Lexington Sr. High School. It is our goal within the next 5 years to extend scholarships throughout the Triad area.
Become a #ChangeMaker and partner with us to help reach our goal.
Gun Violence Awareness
A part of JLD Community Solutions' mission is to raise awareness and join the fight against gun violence. The first Friday in June is observed as National Gun Violence Awareness Day. The community is encouraged to Wear Orange throughout the weekend in support of gun violence awareness. JLD Community Solutions has joined with this cause by hosting our annual signature event, which we kicked off Saturday, June 3, 2023 with the Community Against Gun Violence Block Party.
The purpose of our gun violence awareness initiative is to bring communities across the Triad area together to:
- Shed light on the impacts of gun violence on our local community
- Educate on ways to resolve conflict in a healthy manner
- Promote mental health
- Provide practical tips on how we can help to keep our community safe
It is our goal to change at least one life! We desire to touch at least one person, encourage at least one person to choose life, choose freedom, choose safety. Prevent one more young man of color from being on the giving or receiving end of gun violence. In making a difference in just one life, we desire that this will lead to a ripple effect in preventing gun violence within our community, our state and ultimately our nation!
Click the link below to review the recap of our inaugural gun violence awareness event and learn about the impact it made in our community..
JLD Community Solutions' Mentorship Program
COMING 2024
The purpose of the Mentorship Program is to groom and teach young men of color the importance of being a leader, serving your community and being an effective servant-leader.
The program will be open to young men of color in Lexington, NC from grades 7-11, where they attend a 4 week training program. Community leaders, officials, entrepreneurs and other highly respected service members within the community will conduct sessions on various topics each week during the training program.
During this program we plan to coordinate volunteer opportunities for the students to serve at various community events to help develop:
- a heart for service
- good behavior
- etiquette skills
- relationship building skills
- and more
During this program we also plan to host a field trip to the Civil Rights Center & Museum in Greensboro, NC to empower them with the confidence that they can overcome and achieve success, no matter what hardships they may face.
The program will culminate with a graduation recognizing each of the participants who complete the training.
The goals for the participants are:
- Complete the program with a mentor/mentee relationship established with leaders in various community organizations such as Lexington City Council, Lexington Tourism, the Chamber of Commerce and Churches that last throughout high school graduation.
- Offer of a scholarship upon graduation with acceptance to an accredited university, community college or trade school.
Contact us if you have a child in mind that you would like to recommend in Lexington, NC to be a part of our pilot program beginning July 2024 or if you would like to partner with us to help make this program a success!
Johnny Leroy Dawkins, Jr's son, Jayden Dawkins
Financial Literacy:
"Finding Freedom Thru Finance"
COMING 2025
JLD Community Solutions aims, not only to provide scholarships, mentorship and gun violence awareness, but also provide financial literacy that will help set our young men and their families up for success. It is our desire that, through providing financial literacy, it will help increase the likelihood that black and brown young men in the Triad area will choose professional careers and/or entrepreneurship and decrease their involvement in lifestyles that may lead to violent activity.
During our "Finding Freedom Thru Finance" program, we plan to collaborate with leaders in finance, job readiness and business to conduct virtual and in-person sessions quarterly that will be open to parents and students within the Triad area.
The goals are to:
- Provide information that will help the participants become more confident in making positive financial decisions.
- Learn about career and business opportunities available to them.
- Achieve a tangible goal by creating a plan to save at least $500 in emergency funds.
- Feel inspired to become positive contributors to their families and community.
Please contact us if you are interested in being a speaker/educator for one of our financial literacy events.
Interested in becoming a sponsor? We’re excited to partner with you!
Your sponsorship helps us carry out impactful community programs and reach our goals. It allows you an opportunity to be a #ChangeMaker in the process. We want to create a relationship with you that makes you proud to be a partner with us.