Location: USA
Beneficiaries: Homeless Youth in Maryland
The Project
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development reports alarming rates of student homelessness across the state, with Baltimore City leading at 35%, followed by Baltimore County and Montgomery County at 11% each, and Prince George’s County at 7%. These statistics underscore the urgency of the “It Takes Two” initiative.
The Kindness Bags for Homeless Youth project, launched in 2024, represents a targeted effort to provide essential hygiene products to unhoused students. This initiative goes beyond material support, aiming to boost self-esteem, reduce bullying, and offering hope to vulnerable youth.
The Impact of the Seed Grant
The ripple effect of The Pollination Project’s grant has been transformative. Every student selected, from pre-K to 5th grade, received not just a complete set of school supplies, but also a lifeline of dignity in the form of personal care items. The carefully curated bags, delivered on August 21, 2024, contained more than just material goods; they carried hope, respect, and a message that each child matters.
Perhaps the most profound impact lies in the empowerment of the Positioned for Greatness Youth Program (P4GYP) members. These young leaders took charge of planning and executing the service day, gaining invaluable project management skills and experiencing firsthand the joy of giving back to their community.
Through this hands-on service project, our students learn project management, leadership skills, and the power of kindness and service to others. What better way for peers to help other peers.
The Future
With an eye toward sustainable impact, the team has crafted a multifaceted strategy that weaves together continuous evaluation, sustained assistance, and celebration of crucial collaborations. Throughout the school year, regular check-ins are scheduled to measure improvements in students’ self-esteem, attitudes, and academic performance, ensuring the project’s long-term effectiveness. The team’s proactive approach extends to maintaining support for the students, with plans to send replenishment links as the school year progresses, guaranteeing that students’ needs continue to be met. Additionally, the project is committed to acknowledging the vital contributions of its partners.
As the “It Takes Two” project continues to grow and evolve, it stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when communities come together with a shared vision of empowering youth. Through the tireless efforts of Jaemellah Jackson and her team, supported by The Pollination Project, this initiative is meeting immediate needs and also planting seeds of change that will bear fruit for generations to come.
In a world often divided, the “It Takes Two” project reminds us of the profound truth in its name: it takes two – and indeed, an entire community – to raise a child and build a brighter future for all.
Jaemellah Jackson
Jaemellah Jackson’s journey as a community leader and nonprofit founder is rooted in personal experience and driven by an unwavering commitment to empowering single parents and youth. Her story is one of resilience, determination, and a profound desire to create positive change in the lives of others.
As a single mother facing the challenge of balancing basic needs with her son’s educational expenses, Jackson intimately understood the financial burdens that many families face. This pivotal moment became the catalyst for founding IT TAKES TWO, INC in 2012, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to alleviating the financial strain associated with back-to-school costs for single parents. Jackson’s vision was clear: no parent should have to choose between putting food on the table and providing their child with necessary school supplies.
Determined to change the trajectory of her own life and set an example for her son, Jackson pursued higher education with remarkable tenacity. She earned an Associate’s degree in Business Administration, followed by a Bachelor’s in Business Management, and culminated her academic journey with a Master’s in Nonprofit and Association Management. This educational foundation not only empowered her personally but also equipped her with the skills to effectively lead and grow her nonprofit initiatives (Doing Good is a Business)
