Causes Close to My Heart
Out of Sight Faith
When I went blind, I quickly realized that without technology, I wouldn’t be able to keep up in school the way I had before. I was a smart kid with a bright future, but without the right tools, none of that mattered. Thankfully, I got the technology I needed—but it wasn’t cheap. That made me think about the kids who didn’t have the same opportunity, the ones who needed these resources but couldn’t afford them. That’s why I started OutofSightFaith—to provide life-changing technology for visually impaired students so they could thrive, just like I did. Over time, the foundation has expanded beyond technology, raising funds for cancer research and other support for those who are losing or have lost their sight. No matter how much it evolves, the mission remains the same: to give hope, opportunity, and the tools to succeed to those who need it most.
Golf with Jake
Golf With Jake is an annual charity golf event with a name that plays off the incredible foundation it supports—Swim With Mike. The event came to life when 1880 Capital, a Trojan-led commercial real estate investment firm, approached me about hosting a golf tournament for a charity of my choice. Given the USC connection, I knew exactly where the proceeds should go.
Swim With Mike is a USC-based foundation that provides scholarships for athletes who, due to accidents or injuries, have become physically challenged. They gave me a scholarship when I went to USC, and over the years, they’ve helped hundreds of others pursue higher education despite the obstacles they’ve faced. They offer more than just financial support—they give hope, opportunity, and a future to those whose dreams might have been taken away. Golf With Jake is my way of giving back to a cause that changed my life and continues to change the lives of so many others.
After the Glow
After the Glow is a foundation dedicated to providing financial support to families battling retinoblastoma, a rare form of childhood cancer that often requires specialized treatment far from home. The emotional toll of cancer is overwhelming on its own—no family should also have to worry about how they’ll afford travel, missed work, or extended hospital stays just to get their child the care they need.
I first got involved in 2019 when Kevin Sheridan, the foundation’s founder and former president, reached out. Since then, Kevin has become like a big brother to me, and I’ve been honored to support After the Glow, including helping with their annual event in Philadelphia. This foundation ensures that families can focus on what truly matters—being there for their child—without financial burdens standing in their way.
Guide Dogs for the Blind
When I found out I was going blind, there wasn’t much I was excited about—but one thing I looked forward to was getting a guide dog. Typically, guide dogs aren’t given to anyone under 18 because of the responsibility and care they require, but each year, exceptions are made for minors. At 14, right before entering high school, I tied the record for the youngest to receive a guide dog—and that’s when I met Quebec, my yellow Lab. From the moment we were paired, he changed my life—not just by helping me navigate the world faster and more easily than I ever imagined, but by becoming my best friend and loyal companion.
Guide Dogs for the Blind does more than provide dogs—it restores independence, mobility, and confidence for those who have lost their sight. While white canes help, a guide dog is something entirely different. A well-trained dog moves faster, safer, and more intuitively, adjusting to obstacles and leading with trust and instinct. And the best part? Guide Dogs for the Blind never charges a blind person for their dog. Everything—from training to placement—is covered by the foundation, ensuring that no one is denied the life-changing support of a guide dog simply because of financial barriers.
