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Dear Friends and Family, 

It is that time of year when I will be preparing to play 100 golf holes (par 3s) to raise funds and support Little Lights. The Hundred, a 100-hole golfathon is scheduled for Monday April 20, 2026.

Why am I doing this? It’s because I believe in justice. I believe in equality. And I know that the world can often feel broken—there are so many people facing systemic barriers, challenges that seem too big to tackle. But Little Lights is doing something about it. They’re walking alongside children, youth, and families in Southeast Washington, DC, offering not just programs, but real, transformative change.

Little Lights is a mom and pop ministry that works with children and families in Southeast DC, providing tutoring, mentoring, college and career preparation. I have had the privilege of serving with Little Lights in recent years, and along the way I’ve been able to see how consistent encouragement and support can truly change the trajectory of a young person’s life.

I’ve had the privilege of spending time with the kids at Little Lights—playing, tutoring, and watching them grow. I’ve seen this impact firsthand. One of the most rewarding experiences for me has been tutoring one of the first students in the College and Career program. It has been incredible to be a part of his journey. When he first got to college, things were not easy. There were real moments where it seemed like he might have to drop out. Instead, he leaned in, and during his freshman year, he put in hundreds of hours of tutoring and academic support through Little Lights. As he gained confidence in his classes, the tutoring tapered as his courses became more advanced. Walking with him as he's become more independent and capable on his own has been incredibly rewarding.

Last spring, he graduated from college, and today, he’s working as a teacher’s aide with DC Public Schools while pursuing his Master’s in Education at American University. His first semester on his own? Straight A’s. It's truly touching to see how he’s continued to grow and to know that he now wants to invest in the next generation the same way others invested in him.

More recently, we’ve been spending time with a seventh grader. Whenever David and are home and go to church, he comes with us, and he’s even gotten to play some golf along the way. At one point he was close to needing summer school just to move on, but done some growing up of his own, and started focusing more and caring about school. Hakeem has turned things around and has now made the A–B honor roll two quarters in a row.

These relationships are what Little Lights is all about: walking alongside young people over the long term and helping them grow in confidence, opportunity, and hope. If you’d like to support me this year, here are a few ways to help:

• Pledge per hole – Even $0.50 or $1 per hole would mean so much (hopefully, I’ll make it through all 100!).

• Pledge per par or birdie – $5 or more per birdie or $1 or more per par (par pledges help make it a little easier for me since I have a lot of birdie pledges and am unsure if I can deliver!).

• Flat donation – Any amount you feel comfortable giving is deeply appreciated.

Every dollar raised goes directly to the kids and families who need it. If you’d like to make a pledge or have any questions, feel free to reach out – I’d love to hear from you. Or, if it’s easier, you can simply make a flat donation.

Thank you for even considering supporting this. It means so much to me – and even more to the families Little Lights serves.

With gratitude,
Jessica