About the Foundation
As an organization, we work on improving the community by giving kids access to affordable sports services. Regardless of their financial situation, all children should be able to play.
Kids who are from low-income families abound in our target demographic. Here we reflect on how sport can be used to improve the lives of children in disadvantaged communities. The resolution recognized the sport's contribution as an awareness-raising tool and an important means of promoting tolerance and respect, empowering children, and contributing to a range of other health, education and social inclusion development outcomes.
Playing a sport at a young age has many benefits. Kids who play youth sports have higher self-esteem, stronger connections with their school, better peer relationships, and fewer behavioural problems. The discipline and training needed to participate in sports help to develop successful adults. Athletes learn the importance of teamwork and following leadership. But for low-income families that struggle to pay bills and put food on the table, registration fees can be too expensive for their children. This is why the JOSEPH BETTENCOURT FOUNDATION (JBF) saw the problem and believed no child should be denied access to sports because of the cost. And they decided to set up a non-profit organization, the JBF, which will help pay for sports registration fees, uniforms, and sports equipment for underprivileged kids that can’t afford to pay the high cost of playing youth sports in the Silicon Valley/Bay Area.
The Joseph Bettencourt Foundation (JBF) believes in developing lifelong relationships and growth strategies through long-term, distinctive, and significant innovations. The foundation will help kids play youth sports in our target demographic.
We offer the best service through working with experts who are well versed in areas of the subject matter and who work with us to obtain the best results. The Foundation prides itself on selflessness, service to humanity, excellence, and professionalism in meeting the wishes of kids in the area of sporting activities.
Our Vision Statement
To help children in our community participate in youth sports that provide an encouraging atmosphere in a positive and friendly environment that complements their intellectual and athletic abilities.
Our Mission Statement
To provide children of all backgrounds an environment that builds confidence, develops character, and helps them acquire the skills needed to achieve their fullest potential in becoming productive, community-minded, responsible children
About Joseph
Joseph was a beautiful soul, he loved art, music, and cooking, he was a master on the grill. He had dreams of opening his own BBQ restaurant one day. He taught himself how to play the guitar, draw, and paint, his street artist name was Cosey. He actually preferred Cosey over Joseph. He loved being out on the water, fishing, and camping. The best part about Joseph was his smile, which lit up the room. He loved making people laugh, he loved to dance and have fun.
Joseph started playing soccer when he was 3 years old, he played t-ball, baseball, pop-warner football, and basketball. He was a standout athlete in every sport he played. His passion was skateboarding. Joseph could skate for hours; unfortunately, Milpitas didn’t have a skate park, and the kids would skate in business campuses, shopping centers, and the foothills.
On October 12, 2018, Joseph was skateboarding down the foothills of Milpitas, he crashed at the bottom of the hill. He wasn’t wearing any safety gear. A few people witnessed the accident and rushed to assist him. He suffered a traumatic brain injury, after 2 surgeries and 8 days in the hospital, Joseph was pronounced dead on October 20, 2018, at the age of 24, 16 days before his 25th birthday.
Joseph was an organ donor and saved the lives of four people, including a 15-year-old girl from Northern California who received his heart and liver. His lungs were given to a 62-year-old mother of two from Oregon. One of his kidneys went to a 29-year-old man, and the recipient of his other kidney went to a 35-year-old man. Both men are from Northern California.
When Joseph passed, he had two children, his daughter Marley and his son Joseph Killian.
Today you can find a memorial bench at the corner of Evans Street and Old Calaveras Road. We thank the homeowner Kim Parker for allowing us to have a place to sit and remember Joseph.
