MeFiYi stands for Me For Incredible Youth, Inc. This foundation was started in 1997 by JoJo and Suzi. Its purpose is to create and build “a stronger community through quality youth sports and enrichment of education.” They share with kids that high school graduation is essential and point out that there has never been an NFL player without a high school diploma.
The foundation focuses on two areas - providing teens with life skills, career development and leadership skills as well as providing scholarship funds for college and trade schools.
The priority right now is on the Leadership 4 Teens program. This is a student version of the “Leadership Douglas County” and works with students in Grades 6-12. The Foundation mentors teens and prepares them to be successful in the workforce as well as becoming financially and socially responsible. This, in turn, assists local businesses with building a skilled workforce. The Foundation brings in experts, like Rachel and Brooke from United Federal Credit Union who provide a financial literacy program in the schools. In the middle schools, the curriculum is a big picture look at money and at the high school level it focuses on budgeting, pay stubs and resumes. The J4NG (Jobs for Nevada Grads) program is part of the curriculum.
JoJo shared the latest success story statistics. Out of 153 high school grads that they have worked with, 152 attended college or trade school (the sole student not attending post-secondary married a serviceman). 103 played college sports, 136 became college grads, 6 obtained a master's degree and 127 are employed full time or are business owners. 76% are back in Douglas County or Northern Nevada.
In the scholarship area, the foundation gives out $20,000 per year for students enrolling in college and trade schools. Their goal is to grow the current $100,000 to a $1 million endowment. When asked how people can help the foundation, the following areas were recognized:
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Scholarships
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Endowment contributions
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Get the word out about the program
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Be a guest speaker
The husband-and-wife team were also instrumental in starting the local Boys and Girls Club in 2007 as well as making sure that the Community Center wasn’t just a senior center, including a scholarship for kids to be a member of the Community Center.
JoJo and Suzi were invited to join the Rotary club - either as individuals or a corporate membership.
JoJo and Suzi Townsell Bio
JoJo was born and raised in Reno. He attended UCLA where he played wide receiver on the football team. He then played two years in the USFL for Los Angeles before accepting a position with the NY Jets in 1985. He played with them for 7 seasons. In 1995, JoJo and his wife Suzi moved to the Carson Valley where Suzi grew up. Two years later they formed MeFiYi. Suzi is currently the head Volleyball coach at Douglas High School.
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