During his rookie year in 1996, New York Yankees All-Star shortstop Derek Jeter established the Turn 2 Foundation to promote healthy lifestyles amongst youth. While sharing a pizza in a Detroit hotel room, Derek announced to his father that he was ready for his own foundation. Then and there, they laid the plans for Turn 2. The name "Turn 2" is symbolic of the dramatic double play made by infielders during a game. It also represents Derek's wish to promote healthy lifestyles among young people and enable them to "turn to" his Foundation for guidance and the much needed help to avoid drugs and alcohol.
Our mission is to create and support signature programs and activities that motivate young people to turn away from drugs and alcohol and "Turn 2" healthy lifestyles. We will reward the positive behavior of these children, especially those demonstrating academic achievement and leadership, with the support of our sponsors, partners and Turn 2 staff. Their commitment and hands on involvement will be key.
We will use the following strategies:
Create "Signature Programs" to guide children each day towards healthy lifestyles while reinforcing the avoidance of drugs and alcohol.
Fund organizations that treat and help prevent teenage substance abuse.
Host special events as a platform for Derek to personally deliver his message to today's youth.
Leverage the integrity and popularity of Derek to raise awareness in children that good choices must be practiced daily.
Since its launch in December 1996, the Turn 2 Foundation has awarded more than $9 million in grants to Turn 2's signature programs as well as existing substance abuse prevention and treatment programs. Our efforts have reached thousands of children in the New York City, West Michigan and Tampa areas.
As founder of the Turn 2 Foundation, Derek's goal is to guide children in the right direction and help them become the leaders of tomorrow. Derek gets personally involved by visiting signature programs and hosting special events for thousands of children throughout the year.
Turn 2 Signature Programs include:
Jeter's Leaders:
The Jeter's Leaders is a youth leadership, social change program named by the Captain of the New York Yankees, Derek Jeter, and funded by his Turn 2 Foundation. The program is designed to promote healthy lifestyles, academic achievement, and social change activism among high school students.
Throughout the year, members of the Jeter's Leaders are involved in projects that offer opportunities for them to learn more about themselves and their community. The Leaders are expected to model positive behavior and deliver a message to their peers focusing on staying in school, remaining drug and alcohol free and giving back to the community.
TRAM-Derek's Dugout: TRAM strives to provide a safe, disciplined, drug-free after-school environment for elementary and middle school aged children. Children spend at least ½ hour on homework then end each day with a scheduled activity. TRAM intends to address its goal of early intervention and prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use through scheduled presenters.
Turn 2 Us, Healthy Lifestyles:
In June of 2001, Turn 2 Us was created as a collaborative effort between Public School 128M of Washington Heights, Morgan Stanley's Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian, and Derek Jeter's Turn 2 Foundation. Mr. Jeter chose to demonstrate his commitment to the community by supporting the implementation of a program that would promote healthy lifestyles and leadership among its elementary age children and their families.
Through this collaborative effort the Healthy Schools Healthy Families Initiative evolved. In 2007, the program expanded to include Public School 4M. Today, both programs have merged to form the Turn 2 US/HSHF Comprehensive Wellness Program. The promotion of overall well being is achieved via a holistic approach that encompasses mental health, educational support, physical activity, nutrition which leads to the development of healthier minds and bodies.
Turn 2 After School:
Reaching almost 400 children in the boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx, students participate in cultural arts, physical fitness and educational enrichment programs each weekday. Activities include computer lab, visual arts, drama, dance, and theme-based learning.
Turn 2 Baseball Clinics:
In partnership with the three cities Parks and Recreation Departments, the Foundation hosts free annual baseball clinics for youth in New York City, Kalamazoo, and Tampa, Florida. Participants take part in baseball drills and activities that cover the fundamentals of hitting, fielding, throwing, pitching, base running and more. They also receive special handouts detailing baseball and nutritional tips, as well as information based on Derek's 10 Life Lessons.
Turn 2 Endowed Scholarships:
Awards students for achieving academically and leading healthy lifestyles. The Foundation's endowed scholarships are: Jackie Robinson Foundation/Derek Jeter Scholarship, The Derek Jeter/Kalamazoo Community Foundation Scholarship, The Derek Jeter/Sonny Connors Scholarship, The Derek Jeter/Hillsborough Education Foundation, The Derek Jeter/St. Peter Claver Scholarship, United Negro College Foundation/Sharlee Jeter Scholarship.
Turn 2 Proud to Be Me:
Located at Washington Writer's Academy and Douglass Community Association in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the goal of the Proud To Be Me Program is to provide a small group of fourth, fifth and sixth graders with an opportunity to increase their ability to withstand the pressure of drug and alcohol abuse throughout their lifespan
Turn 2 Camp Program: Each year, Turn 2 awards approximately 100 children with the sleep away camp experience. Through a partnership with S.C.O.P.E., campers spend 2 weeks at an ACA accredited summer camp where they enjoy swimming, boating, arts & crafts, dancing, drama and sports activities.
Jeter Meter: An incentive based program designed to promote healthy-lifestyles for children through physical fitness in a school-based setting. The program is a partnership among the Turn 2 Foundation, The Road Runners Foundation, Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian and the New York City Public Schools who are participating in our Healthy Schools, Healthy Families program. The program's goal is to promote physical fitness and healthier lifestyles in students by motivating them to run or walk a minimum of 1/2 mile, three to five times a week, adding up to at least 105 miles during the school year.
Youth in Action: Focuses on increasing student achievement in the areas of learning, literacy, and motivation to attend and participate in school. Another goal is to develop mentor relationships between youth participants and positive adult role models. Students benefit from personalized tutoring in specialized academic areas where they may be struggling.
Kalamazoo Annual Trip: Each year, the Turn 2 Foundation’s Signature Programs of Western Michigan set off on their year-end trip. The outing incorporates both fun and educational activities for attendees from the Kalamazoo Jeter's Leaders, Proud to Be Me, Youth in Action and Derek's Dugout at TRAM programs. The day provides the Leaders with one last bonding and mentoring opportunity with the younger students in the other Turn 2 programs before the end of the program year.
