Give a Kid a Dream NJ

We are the dream team of New Jersey Give a Kid a Dream (NJGAKAD): a like-minded group of individuals who feel blessed enough in life to want to give back and help others accomplish that same feeling.  NJGAKAD Champions of life program is a 501c3 organization that supports at risk youth using the discipline of amateur Olympic-style boxing while expanding into fitness, health, mentoring, social etiquette and academic development.  The Champions of Life concept teaches youth to not only declare themselves champions in the ring but to strive to become champions in life.  Our motto: Elevate~Educate~Empower~Embrace.

This foundation would not be possible without our beloved Founder and Director, Jacklyn Atkins, warmly known to all as Coach Jackie.  Her accolades and credentials would fill this page but to name a few she is a three-time Hall of Fame Inductee, President of the NJ Association of USA Boxing and two-time boxing World Champion as well as recipient of the 2016 Tony Dowling Child Advocacy Award and 2017 Brick City Youth Advocacy Award. However, if you were to ask, she would tell you without a doubt her greatest accomplishment is her work with the kids — and she would be correct, to date her program boasts a 100% graduation rate!