As a defensive back in the NFL, Malcolm Jenkins is paid to take away from opposing offenses.But giving back is what fuels his life.Jenkins started his own non-profit organization, The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation, to help bring about positive change in the lives of underserved communities by providing resources, innovative opportunities and experiences to help them succeed in life. Guided by the core values of integrity, service, community and fiscal accountability, the foundation aims to be an organization that provides a positive and lasting impact to the communities it serves in New Jersey, Louisiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania.It was those values instilled in Jenkins by his parents, coaches, teachers, mentors and the church at a young age that drove Jenkins to succeed professionally as an athlete and entrepreneur. He wants to help others in need of that same type of support growing up to inspire them to become successful adults.
To date, the Jenkins Foundation has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships through the Project R.E.W.A.R.D.S program (Reinforcing Education With Activities, Recreation and Developmental Supports) with a four-year life skills curriculum, a program more than 200 students participate in each year. Of the 72 graduating high school seniors to receive scholarships through the Foundation, just under half are first generation college students.In addition to his Foundation, Jenkins has also spearheaded a Cease Fire Campaign to reduce gun violence in New Orleans while helping support to families affected by Hurricane Katrina.Jenkins attended Piscataway Township (New Jersey) high school and helped the football team win three consecutive state titles as a defensive back and wide receiver while also capturing a state track and field title in the 400 meters during his junior year. He was recruited by Ohio State and capped off a four-year career by winning the Jim Thorpe Award as the top defensive back in college football.A first-round pick of the New Orleans Saints in 2009, Jenkins helped New Orleans capture a Super Boow title during his rookie season. After five years with the Saints, Jenkins moved to the Philadelphia Eagles where he earned his first Pro Bowl nomination in 2015. Of his 14 career interceptions, Jenkins has returned six of them for a touchdown.You can support your favorite nominee in this campaign by favoriting, donating, tweeting and joining his/her team with a chance to be recognized as one of his/her top supporters. Starting Friday, June 9, you can also come back daily to “Boost” your favorite nominee. Fans receive points for joining a team, donating, tweeting, boosting or responding to “ do-gooder challenges”.The direct link to Malcolm’s page is https://asu.givkwik.com/MalcolmJenkinsAbout the award: Started in 2013 by Alan Pavlosky and Scott Manthorne, Co-Founders of All Sports United, the Most Valuable Philanthropist seeks to recognize the effort of deserving sports philanthropists each year and bring positive news while highlighting the amazing charitable work of many in the sports community. The winner of the award will receive $10,000 to his or her charity of choice. The campaign is supported by technology partners Givkwik and xocial. Each of the partners plays a crucial role in executing the campaign. Special Thanks to All Sports United Supporter Jeff Tutor for his contributions to the campaign. This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 13th, 2017 at 10:36 pm by By Erik Erlendsson http://allsportsunited.org/news/malcom-jenkins/
Malcolm Jenkins returns to give back to Columbus
Former Ohio State cornerback Malcolm Jenkins remembers the thrill of being the 14th overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft. But seven years since, and a day after the 2016 first round that saw five Buckeyes taken, Jenkins was gaining satisfaction of a different sort.This morning he was at the Columbus Urban League parking lot off Mount Vernon Avenue helping coordinate the second Get Ready Fest, a collaboration of his Malcolm Jenkins Foundation, Feed the Children and Teleperformance. With its mission to distribute a 25-pound box of food and a 10-pound box of personal hygiene products to 1,200 pre-identified families who can use the help, the orderly line stretched down the block.“We’re feeding and helping over 4,500 people,” Jenkins said. “They get not only the food, but they get resources, they get haircuts, help services -- everything that they need to really get a kick start.“Everything that we do we focus on youth, and families, and under-served communities because, you know, I’ve been blessed. There are people in need that look up to me as an athlete, that look up to everybody (including the hundreds of volunteers involved), and this is an opportunity for us to give back.” Ironically, it was his being drafted in 2009 that helped set him on this path. He was taken by the New Orleans Saints, thrusting him into a city still in the early years of its recovery from the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.“Seven years ago I was getting drafted to a city that had a lot of need,” Jenkins said. “I got to look around the community and could see there were people that needed help. So I did what little part that I could.“And through the Malcolm Jenkins Foundation we just started to give back to all the communities that have affected me.”That list includes New Orleans; his hometown area in and around Piscataway, N.J.,; Philadelphia, where he now plays for the Eagles; and Columbus, where he was a star for the Buckeyes. The program is in its fourth year overall.Asked whether he’d recommend becoming involved in such endeavors to those drafted on Thursday night, Jenkins said, “I think it’s all personal, and it all depends on what you want to invest your money in.“For me, I like to invest not only my money but my time into other people. I know that some people, whether it be (his former OSU coach and now Youngstown State University president) Jim Tressel, be it my high school coaches, my parents, they invested time in me, and I know the impact that it’s had on my life. So that’s what I like to give back to other people.”His friend and former New Orleans teammate Will Smith, who played at Ohio State before him, had been involved in several chartitable endeavors during his playing days and since his career ended after the 2013 season. But Smith, 34, was shot to death on a New Orleans street several weeks ago after a late-night traffic accident escalated into a confrontation with the driver who had hit him from behind.“Unfortunately I don’t know what the lesson is from this tragedy beside the fact life is short and you’ve got to enjoy the time you have with your friends and family,” Jenkins said. “It’s a tragic situation, and it brings to light to a bigger narrative about violence and some senseless acts.“That’s because it’s one thing to read a news clip about Will Smith’s passing, but it’s a different thing to go to his funeral and see his three kids and his wife who will never have him again. That’s something that I think we’ve become numb to. ... Will Smiths happen across this country every single day, and it’s unfortunate.”Jenkins, meanwhile, is an NFL veteran and Pro Bowl performer who has persevered for two teams during the past seven years, so he had some advice for those being drafted this week.“One, enjoy the ride,” he said. “There’s a lot of things, a lot of pressure, a lot of tugging and pulling -- everything is really set up for you to fail, basically. But you’ve got to enjoy it. And then, just be smart. Have a plan, because football is very, very short.“The law of averages say you’re only going to play for three years; if you play any more than that you’re lucky. But you’ll most likely be done playing when you’re 35. There’s a lot of life to live after that. We get kind of brainwashed to think that football is all we can do. Enjoy it while you have it, take advantage of it while you have it, but also prepare for a life afterwards.”Original article taken from Columbus Dispatch | Ohio State Buckeyextra: http://buckeyextra.dispatch.com/content/stories/2016/04/30/0430-malcolm-jenkins.htmltmay@dispatch.com@TIM_MAYsports
Malcolm Jenkins Foundation Awards Scholarships to NOLA Youth
The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation recognized high school seniors for their commitment to academic excellence, leadership and community through its Project R.E.W.A.R.D.S. program that teams up with the Nationally acclaimed College Track Program. Twelve (12) students each received $1,000 scholarships, ($12,000) to start them on their way toward financing their college education.The 2015 Project R.E.W.A.R.D.S scholarship winners marks the fourth year that The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation has helped deserving youth pursue their higher educational aspirations at an accredited college or university of their choice.
Click here to view photos by KatRamPhotography2015 Malcolm Jenkins Scholars:
High Academic AchievementYolanda AndradeDiamond LandryDewey SampsonBianca AncarAlonzo BoothJeremiah WallaceMost ImprovedImani PittmanJordan FlemingOvercoming the OddsTia CageRobert BurnsideLauren BaumanOlivia Douglas
The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation, Omega Psi Phi, and Feed the Children Help 800 Families at Philly’s “Get Ready Fest™”
On Friday, July 11 The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation partnered with Feed the Children and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. to host the “GET READY FEST” at Deliverance Evangelistic Church. Together, they established this community outreach event to support families by providing food, personal care products, clothing, fun, as well as wellness resources to 800 Philadelphia-area families.
It was a sea of purple as dozens of brothers of Omega Psi Phi from all over the country assisted nearly 3000 people with their bags, boxes, and shopping carts through the various stations and to their vehicles. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. is the first international fraternal organization to be founded on the campus of a historically black college. “As a longtime supporter of Feed the Children, we’ll have hundreds of volunteers at this important event,” said Dr. Andrew Ray, Grand Basileus, Omega Psi Phi. “It is part of our ongoing commitment to make a long-term impact on our community,” he added. The founding principles of Omega Psi Phi fraternity are manhood, perseverance, uplift and scholarship.
New Jersey native, Malcolm Jenkins, NFL Free Safety for the Philadelphia Eagles and 1st round draft pick of the XLIV Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints(2009), is also a member of the purple and gold brotherhood which is hosting their 79th annual week-long Conclave in Philadelphia this week. Malcolm founded the The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation (TMJF) in 2010 with a commitment to youth development initiatives and programs which emphasize mentorship, character development, leadership, education, life skills, health and recreation. “The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation is proud to team up and partner for this important event, our first in the Philadelphia area” said Malcolm. “Our work with Feed the Children and ‘GET READY FEST’ aligns with our mission to achieve positive change in the lives of youth, particularly those in under-served communities by providing resources, innovative opportunities and experiences that will help them succeed in life and become contributing members of their community.”Feed the Children’s fleet of over 
40 semi-trucks carried meals and necessities all across the country as part of the organization’s “renewed vision” to create a world were no child goes to bed hungry. This was one of the first events which showcased their new logo, and all benefiting families were pre-identified by Feed the Children’s nonprofit partner in the Nicetown section of Philadelphia. Children were provided coats, shoes, and school uniforms donated by Soles 4 Souls and Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteers were on-site to connect families with mentors. “I remember what it’s like to be a kid, filled with wonderment, curiosity, and just wanting to play,” said CEO of Feed the Children, Kevin Hagan. “Every child deserves that, and that’s what we’re setting out to achieve today with our important partners. We’re helping kids be kids.”
