Outshining
Medical
Disabilities
Programs
To be eligible, applicants must have custody of a medically fragile child with a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. The impairment may be congenital or acquired by accident, injury, or disease.
Applications will be accepted year-round. Funds will not be awarded to cover the cost of goods purchased or services performed prior to the application date. Applications that do not meet the criteria or are incomplete will be denied.
Community members are encouraged to apply for assistance if serving special needs or medically fragile children.
To request a Financial Assistance Application for Community Members please email Executive Director, Meagan Kirk at meagan@josephthomasfoundation.org.
If you need assistance with the application please call 325-704-1129.
Thank you for taking time to visit our website. After my son Joseph passed away in August 2007, my family and I made it our mission to carry on his name and memory by starting the Joseph Thomas Foundation to help other medically fragile children. I hope that you will help us by sharing this website and Joseph’s story with others who either need help or wish to help.
John Thomas, President/CEO
Creates an opportunity for children with special needs to represent JTF in their community amongst their peers, friends, family and community members, to raise awareness for the mission of JTF and to give special needs children a sense of belonging and acceptance.
Ambassadors will serve 12 months, January-December, after being selected through an application process. Applicants must be 0-18 years of age, have a diagnosed medical condition and must live in Texas.
Ambassador benefits include but are not limited to JTF Swag bag, media appearances, professional photo sessions, free admission to Ambassador Ball, Morgan’s Wonderland Day, and special recognition at all JTF events!
Ambassador responsibilities include representing and promoting Joseph Thomas Foundation, obtaining one or two business sponsorships, attending the Ambassador Ball scheduled every fall in Abilene, Texas, appearing on various media outlets when given the opportunity, and participating in fundraising events.
Ambassador Applications are accepted every fall for the following year. Follow our Facebook page for more specific dates.
If you would like more information or an application please contact us to schedule a time. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and all donations are tax-deductible. For more information or to make a donation to the Joseph Thomas Foundation please contact us.
The Closet Program provides medical supplies and equipment free of charge to those in need with no location restrictions.
The Closet Program is dependent on donations of new medical supplies, gently used equipment, and monetary donations to cover shipping expenses.
Closet inventory changes daily.
What is the Hope Homes Program?
HHP is a program that partners with realtors in areas that JTF serves to make a difference for families raising special needs children. Realtors all over Texas pledge various amounts and donate $100 per Hope Home upon closing. Realtors can choose to make a one-time upfront donation or donate within 30 days of the closing of the designated Hope Home.
Who benefits from the Hope Homes Program?
- Special Needs Children: JTF provides direct financial assistance to families raising special needs children through the procurement of medical equipment and supplies when other means are not enough.
- Individuals: JTF Closet Program provides gently used equipment to ANYONE in need!
- REALTORS: Hope Homes will be featured on our website with direct links to your personal listings and contact information, be given an HHP yard sign, be highlighted on our social media, weekly, and be listed on any media/marketing material for 2023! All donations are tax-deductible.
Why should I give to Joseph Thomas Foundation?
Everyday there are 100’s of families that are denied medical equipment, services, or supplies due to insurance decisions, underinsured or uninsured. Even with insurance out of pocket expenses, or the cost surrounding raising a special needs child can be astronomical. Did you know that insurance often denies equipment/supplies/services if a child has a terminal illness?
Unexpected hospital stays, accidents or illnesses that a healthy child may be experiencing can leave families helpless and lost, wondering how they will afford the next month's medication or the therapy that their child's quality of life depends on. JTF assists by bridging the gap of desperation by serving families through various programs, such as the Financial Assistance Program, the Closet Program, and the Ambassador Program.
By partnering with JTF through the HHP, YOU can be the one that provides hope to a family.
Traci Murphy, Realtor
Bryan Aycock Realty Group
Lubbock, TX
806-239-1214
Click Here to Learn More
Halle Beeler McCrory, Team Lead
Halle's Homes
San Angelo, TX
325-304-1425
halle@halleshomes.com
I want to make a difference!
What's next?
Fill out the pledge form and email it to Marketing@JosephThomasFoundation.org and a JTF staff member will contact you.
You will receive your HHP yard sign in the mail within 10 business days.
Place your HHP yard sign in the yard of the home you choose, send us the details of the Hope Home and let us help you find your buyer!
Mission: Hope is a great program that works with local community leaders to set up a medical equipment and supply delivery to communities in the JTF service area.
The program is designed to help communities that are in need of medical supplies and equipment. The program is run by a team of dedicated volunteers who are passionate about helping those in need.
Mission:Hope is committed to providing communities with the tools and resources they need to improve their health and support families raising special needs children.
The program works with local community leaders to identify the needs of the community and then works to provide the necessary medical equipment and supplies. The program is designed to be flexible and responsive to the needs of the community. In exchange for the resource, equipment, and supplies, we are dependent on each community to assist with lodging, facilities, and a local liaison to assist our team of volunteers.
The program is run by a team of dedicated volunteers who are passionate about helping those in need. The volunteers come from all walks of life and are committed to making a difference in the lives of others. They work tirelessly to ensure that the program is successful and that communities receive the medical equipment and supplies they need along with support for families of special needs children.
Each Mission:Hope trip cost approximately $2,500 and Mission:Hope trips are not possible without our donors and community leaders that assist us with finding funding and/or resources. If you would like Mission:Hope to come to your area please contact Meagan Kirk for more details and to see if your community is eligible.
We are dedicated to bringing hope through medical supplies and equipment to families in need.
Schedule:
June 28-July 2 in Del Rio, Texas
If you would like to request certain equipment or supplies for a Mission:Hope trip click the link below to submit a request.
Applications for the Be the Light Jordan Kirk Memorial Scholarship are closed.
The Be The Light Scholarship is in memory of Jordan Kirk and will provide a scholarship in the amount of $5,000 to one 2024 high school senior for the fall of 2024 school year.
One of the main objectives of the Be The Light Scholarship has been the promotion of education amongst high school seniors that have an interest in pursuing careers that will positively affect the lives of children. Candidates receiving education services through IEP or 504 services will receive priority.
Students must have proof that he/she has a goal of furthering his or her education, including but not limited to trade school, junior college, or four-year state or private university.
Requirements:
- 2024 High School Graduate
- Must reside within JTF Service Area
- Must be pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time, post-secondary course of study at a U. S. institution of higher education
- Must have a 2.0 GPA or higher
- Must have a minimum of 20 hours of community service during the applicable year
Students receiving educational services through an IEP or 504 are highly encouraged to apply.Jordan Kirk would be 8 years old today. He met Jesus 4 years ago on August 17, 2019. He was the light of the room. His smile was contagious and you couldn’t help but be filled with joy the moment you saw him. He fought for his life daily and gave us 4 beautiful years.He loved school, music, and Moana. To know him was to love him.
Despite his struggles, he succeeded in so many areas of life. He worked hard in physical, speech, and occupational therapy and mastered many skills during his first school year. Jordan’s family is grateful to the donor, BWW Ranch, for funding the Be The Light Scholarship this year.
The application is closed, but you can visit our Auction Page through October 14, 2023 at 10:00PM.
If you have any questions, please email
Meagan@
or call 325-704-1129.
