Today we’d like to introduce you to JES Avanti Foundation.
Hi JES Avanti, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The JES Avanti Foundation was established in 2014 starting in Southern Maryland. Since, the foundation has expanded to physical locations in Ferrum, VA (2015), Bushwood, MD (2015), Goshen, VA (2019) & Roxboro, NC (2024). At these locations, the foundation partners with local organizations and business to host events that focus on the foundation’s mission.
The word “avanti” means to progress or move forward in Italian, which is also at the core of the foundation’s work. We hope to assist in providing opportunities to communities who may have a lack of resources due to financial needs within the foundation’s 5 divisions.
The JES Avanti Foundation has five divisions: wildlife conservation, environmental preservation, education, animal rescue & rehabilitation and outdoor recreation. We are dedicated to designing, carrying out and supporting programs built to assist with veteran outreach, community growth, educational resources & rescue initiatives. A few of our Partners across the three states we currently serve with physical locations include The Museum of Life & Science, Book Harvest, The National Wildlife Turkey Federation, Chesapeake Biological Lab & Vacation 4 Vets.
The foundation also provides assistance to state and county parks by providing motus towers to locations in Maryland, North Carolina and Bermuda to help with tracking bird migration. Other projects of the foundation have reached include Yellowstone and Sax Zim Bog. These projects have specifically related to wildlife conservation and preservation.
Recently, the foundation has been able to expand it’s staffing to support more areas as well. It is an exciting time for growth with the JES Avanti Foundation.
Our Webite: jesavantifoundation.org
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like every organization, there are always growing pains, but in the best way possible. As the JES Avanti Foundation expands with it’s new location in Roxboro, NC (Heritage, A Gathering Place) & staffing, the completion of larger projects takes many hands and minds to make a reality.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Our newest location, Heritage, A Gathering Place in Roxboro, NC is in the process of constructing and Education Center available to the public. The Education Center will serve the local and surrounding youth and adults with educational programming and resources. We currently have 9 Partners who come into the Education Center space and teach on content areas ranging from financial classes, stained glass courses & even animal talks! On site, we will also have a StoryWalk, which we partnered to create with DPR Construction and Book Harvest. The stories placed in the StoryWalk will be updated every month for families to enjoy along a wooded trail. The majority of the stories presented will be in both Spanish and English.
We also work closely with Woodland Elementary School in Semora, NC. Their principal, Mr. Johnson, welcomed the first Books on Break Program in collaboration with The JES Avanti Foundation and Book Harvest in Person County Schools. This program has not only allowed children to create at-home libraries and increase the school’s reading level scores, but also continues to increase as we go into our 3rd year of working with Woodland Elementary on this program. With the financial assistance through The JES Avanti Foundation, Book Harvest & the Person County School district, this program is now being served in 4 Person County Schools this year-2026!
What makes you happy?
One special thing about the JES Avanti Foundation is that we don’t just fund the programs we work on, the staff and members of the foundation are physically involved with the planning processes and actual event. As a staff member, this part means the most to me. Being able to physically be a part of creating and preparing a program and then seeing the smiling faces and takeaways from students, adults and families means the world. It is the happiest thought to think the one hour program or day event you sought out from start to finish may have encouraged a student on what career goal they now have or help a family find a new weekly hobby to do together. The memories are the best part!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jesavantifoundation.org
- Instagram: jesavantifoundation
- Facebook: JES Avanti Foundation
