Mr. Jerome Harris Selected as the 2021 Recipient of the Richard E. Herman Leadership Award

Mr. Jerome Harris Selected as the 2021 Recipient of the Richard E. Herman Leadership Award

 In Education

Itasca, IL – We Raise Foundation is pleased to announce that Mr. Jerome Harris has been selected as the 2021 Richard E. Herman Leadership Award honoree. The Leadership Award recognizes the commitment and service of one leader interrupting the cycles of poverty, violence, and inequality in the United States, whether through their professional work or as a volunteer.

Harris founded and serves as president of Urban Golf of Greater St. Louis (UGOLF) in St. Louis, Mo. The mission of UGOLF is to prepare youth in urban St. Louis to be successful beyond high school and expose them to the vast golf community.

“This award is an amazing honor for me to receive from We Raise Foundation,” Harris said. “The call of God to serve my community and its youth is a charge I take very seriously because it is one of complete service that allows me to serve Him by serving others. To be blessed with an award like this is a boost of motivation and encouragement to stay the course.”

Since its founding in 2019, UGOLF has served over 300 students. During in school physical education hours and while participating in UGOLF’s after-school programs, students learn the basics of golf. Participants are also engaged in social-emotional development, conflict resolution, college preparation courses, career development and/or entrepreneurial development. Mentors also support the youth both inside and outside of the classroom. Learn more about UGOLF in this organizational video.

Under Harris’ leadership, 90% of UGOLF’s participants have enrolled successfully in college. Over $500,000 in student scholarships has been secured and he has secured partnerships with Gateway PGA Reach Foundation, Nike, St. Louis Public Schools, and Harris-Stowe State University. Harris also established a successful mentoring and caddy program at Bellerive Country Club in Town and Country, Mo.

A native of St. Louis’ Ville community, Harris was first introduced to the game of golf in his mid-20’s by an assistant pastor at his church. He has been involved in youth development for over 10 years. Prior to starting UGOLF, Harris worked for St. Louis Urban K-Life, which provides north St. Louis teens with mentorship, professional and collegiate advice, financial literacy education, and access to resources often not found in their communities.

When K-Life began a partnership with the Gateway PGA REACH Foundation, a recreation and sports fundraising and fund distribution agency that exposes underserved youths to golf, Harris was named coordinator for the two organizations.

As recipient of this award, Harris will receive a cash award of $4,000 and an invitation to gather with other inspired emerging leaders to network, learn and reflect, hosted and paid for by We Raise Foundation.

The Leadership Award was established in honor of Dr. Richard Herman, We Raise Foundation’s fourth president (2006-2015), a passionate supporter and encourager of young adult Christian leaders.

 

About We Raise Foundation

Motivated by the belief that freedom is grace in action (Galatians 5:1a), We Raise Foundation partners with Christian nonprofit organizations and emerging leaders working at the intersection of poverty, violence, and inequality. We have a preference for funding solutions within the areas of education, workforce development, and criminal justice and employ a unique approach to our investing by coupling program funding with a variety of robust value-added services that empower our grantees to grow their solutions. As a result of these value-add services, every $1 that donors invest through We Raise multiplies into more than double the benefit to the organizations we support. To learn more, please visit weraise.org. You can also find We Raise on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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