Welcome to the Dream Big Youth Foundation

We are here to walk with our youth, stand beside their families, and build a community where every child is supported, believed in, and guided to reach their full potential. Through mentorship, academic support, basketball, and real-world experiences, we help young people grow in confidence, character, and purpose — both on and beyond the court.

Donate
“Lift as you climb, give more than you take, and make sure the next generation has a pathway forward.”
— Audrey Nixon

Make it

“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”
— Frederick Douglass

Who We Are

The Dream Big Youth Foundation is a free, year-round mentorship and youth development program based in North Chicago, Waukegan, Beach Park, Zion, and Round Lake. We are committed to walking with our youth as they grow — not just for a season, but for years.

Our journey begins with a cohort of 15 fifth/sixth-grade students, and we stay with them through middle school, high school, and into higher education. We provide consistent mentorship, academic support, life skills development, basketball training, family partnership, and exposure to new environments and experiences that expand what our youth believe is possible for their lives.

We are a family-based organization.
We don’t just support the students — we support the parents too.
Many of our families are led by strong single parents, and we walk alongside them with resources, encouragement, community, and practical support. Our goal is to motivate, empower, and uplift parents just as much as we uplift our youth — because when families grow stronger, children grow stronger.

As we grow, we will continue to welcome more youth from low-income communities — while keeping our foundation rooted in relationship, consistency, trust, and care.

We are coaches, mentors, role models, and family.
We believe in developing leaders beyond the court — with the hope that they will one day return as leaders in their schools, families, and communities.

Here, our youth and families are seen, supported, encouraged, and believed in.
Here, we Dream Big. Believe Bigger. Achieve Beyond..

An adult man and a young boy standing together inside a basketball arena. The man has dreadlocks and is wearing a green hoodie, and the boy is dressed in a white sports jacket with a blue scarf around his neck. They are posing for a photo on the basketball court with a crowd in the background.
A man and woman dressed in white standing on grass by a lake, with trees and houses in the background.
A woman and a man standing outdoors on a grassy field, smiling at the camera. They are both wearing green T-shirts with white text that reads "Ivy Reunion 2017". The woman has curly hair and is wearing a denim jacket, while the man has a beard and is wearing a blue hoodie.

  • Rooted here. Built for them. Focused on the future.

    Jonathan Jones is rooted in Lake County and shaped by a legacy of leadership, service, and belief in what’s possible. Raised in Waukegan, he learned early that talent may open a door — but discipline, community, and exposure are what transform lives.

    Jonathan comes from a family whose impact lives in the institutions and neighborhoods of Lake County.
    He is the great-nephew of Commissioner Audrey H. Nixon, who served the county for more than four decades and is honored through the Audrey H. Nixon Administrative Building and Audrey Nixon Boulevard. Her leadership showed him that real change is built through consistency, courage, and care for others.

    He is also the nephew of Richard “Dickey” Nixon, one of Waukegan’s early basketball trailblazers who helped break racial barriers during school desegregation and led Waukegan High School to a 4th Place State finish before playing at Marquette University under legendary coach Al McGuire. His journey proved that greatness can begin right here at home.

    Jonathan carried that belief into his own path.
    At Barat College in Lake Forest, he became one of the most decorated players in school history — earning NAIA First Team All-American honors and leading the program to its first and only Final Four appearance, finishing 33–3.

    He was selected in the 2002 USBL Draft by the St. Louis Skyhawks with the first pick of the second round, playing under NBA Champion Lionel Hollins, and alongside Waukegan legend Clarence “Corky” Calhoun (University of Pennsylvania → NBA Champion).

    Jonathan went on to play 14 seasons professionally across Europe, Asia, South America, and the Middle East, earning recognition as one of the top American bigs overseas — including being named Cyprus League MVP, ABL MVP Finalist, and receiving multiple All-League, All-Imports, and Defensive Team honors.
    Through global experience, he learned that exposure expands identity — and identity expands possibility.

    When Jonathan returned home, he stayed.
    He served as an assistant coach at North Chicago High School under Gerald “King” Coleman, one of the most respected basketball leaders in Lake County, helping guide the program to a 4th Place finish in the 2018 Illinois Class 3A State Tournament.

    During the COVID-19 shutdown, Jonathan co-founded The Academy in Waukegan — beginning with just six youth when schools, sports, and daily structure had disappeared. The Academy grew into a free, year-round after-school program that served over one hundred young people with academic guidance, mentorship, leadership development, and basketball training within a culture grounded in family and accountability.

    We created stability when the world was unstable.

    As The Academy grew, one truth became clear:
    The need was bigger than one gym and one neighborhood.

    The Academy was the first chapter.
    The Dream Big Youth Foundation is the long-term vision — built to walk with high-potential youth in Waukegan, North Chicago, Zion, Beach Park, and communities across Lake County, from middle school into adulthood.

    Today, as Founder and Executive Director of DBYF, Jonathan leads a cohort-based mentorship model combining academic support, family partnership, character development, basketball training, and national and international travel experiences that expand how young people see themselves and their future possibilities.

    Because once a young person sees more —
    they believe they can be more.

    This is more than programming.
    This is legacy.
    This is responsibility.
    This is purpose.
    This is the work Jonathan was born to do.

  • Co-Founder/Treasurer

    With 20+ years of financial and corporate management experience at a major pharmaceutical company, Tera oversees all budgeting, financial planning, compliance, and resource stewardship for the foundation. A strong believer in structured opportunity and equitable access, she brings discipline, transparency, and strategic financial leadership to ensure DBYF remains sustainable as it grows. Her work ensures that every dollar leads to real impact for the youth and families we serve.

    Tera’s love for basketball began in the 1990s during the Big Ten glory years — watching legends like Glenn “Big Dog” Robinson dominate at Purdue and the iconic Fab Five era reshape college basketball culture. A proud Purdue University graduate, she has carried that passion with her ever since.

    Since being with Jonathan, she has supported every step of his coaching journey — never missing a game. She is present in the gym, in the stands, on the baseline, and in the community — known to many of our players simply as “team mom.” Her support is felt, seen, and deeply valued.

  • Judith “Judy” Ivy brings over 30 years of leadership, youth mentorship, and community engagement to the Dream Big Youth Foundation. A lifelong Lake County resident, Judy has dedicated her life to serving families, supporting young people, and building environments where children and parents feel supported, valued, and guided.

    For more than two decades, she has worked closely with youth and families through schools, churches, neighborhood initiatives, and community support networks. Judy’s work has always centered on relationship-building, advocacy, and uplifting young people — helping them see what’s possible in their lives and using accountability, love, and consistency to get them there.

    One of the strongest reflections of Judy’s values is found within her own family. Every one of her children, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren are college graduates. This legacy of education, hard work, and perseverance is not accidental — it is the result of Judy’s unwavering commitment to guidance, encouragement, structure, and belief in the power of opportunity.

    As Board Secretary of DBYF, Judy is responsible for:

    • Organizational record-keeping and compliance

    • Parent engagement and family communication

    • Supporting program coordination and youth mentorship

    • Helping build a positive and disciplined program culture

    Her service continues her family’s legacy of leadership — as she is the niece of the late Commissioner Audrey Nixon, a trailblazer in Lake County whose name graces both a public street and a wing in the new Lake County Courthouse, honoring her decades of advocacy and impact.

    Judy is a foundation piece of Dream Big Youth Foundation — a steady voice, a culture carrier, and a reminder that when you invest in young people with love and high expectations, entire generations can rise.

A young basketball player in an orange jersey with the number 23 is receiving a medal from a man in a black hoodie with a basketball logo. The player has dreadlocks and is looking downward, while the man is smiling and placing a hand on the player's
Group of young students dressed in blue graduation gowns and caps standing with a teacher in a gymnasium, celebrating their graduation from John R. Lewis Middle School.
Group of young basketball players standing on a stadium basketball court, holding black banners that say 'Men's Basketball' with a 'V' logo, in an empty arena with seats and basketball hoops in the background.
A group of young boys posing next to a basketball player statue holding a basketball with their hands in a sports museum or hall of fame. The background includes images of basketball history and players.
Two men standing in a basketball arena holding a plaque and medals after a tournament; one man is dressed in a beige suit, and the other in a black hoodie with a basketball team logo; people in the background celebrating.
Five people standing on a basketball court holding basketballs, smiling at the camera. The background features a black banner with 'Sports Academy' logos and a basketball hoop.
A youth basketball team with coaches standing in front of a YMCA backdrop, some players holding medals and a basketball, celebrating their victory.
Two men standing outside in front of a modern building, smiling at the camera. One man has glasses and dreadlocks, wearing a black jacket and shorts with a logo. The other man has short hair, wearing a gray polo shirt and black pants, with a backpack
A group of nine young people standing on a basketball court, posing for a photo, with empty stadium seats in the background, some of which display the University of Michigan's block M logo.
A group of young basketball players and one coach standing on the court at a large indoor arena, with other players practicing in the background, basketball hoops, and an electronic scoreboard overhead.
Four boys and an adult man standing in a sports academy, smiling and posing together for a photo. The man has his arms around two of the boys, and they are in front of a wall with 'Sports Academy' written on it.
A group of six young basketball players in red uniforms with medals around their necks, holding a trophy with a basketball court in the background.
Group of people, mostly children, wearing yellow and black clothing, gathered around and sitting on a large black sign that spells out 'FIBA' in front of a modern glass building with trees and a blue sky in the background.
A group of young basketball players and coach posing in a gymnasium for a photo. Some players are holding medals, and one is holding a sign that reads ‘State Qualifier’. The background features orange and black gymnasium bleachers, and the players ar
Two men standing together at an indoor event, smiling at the camera. One man is dressed casually in athletic wear, the other in a business suit.
A group of young boys and a coach sitting on bleachers at a basketball court. They are wearing matching blue and black

It all begins with an idea.

This video was captured inside the University of Kentucky’s practice facility — one of the most respected programs in college basketball. We bring our youth into environments like this to show them that their dreams are real and within reach. When young people see it, feel it, and stand where greatness stands, they learn to dream bigger, work harder, and lead with purpose.

In this moment, Coach Jones flashes back to his own playing days, rising up to block Simmy’s dunk attempt. Their relationship goes back to Simmy’s 6th grade year, built on mentorship, trust, accountability, and love. Today, Simmy is one of the top players in the state of Illinois heading into his senior year — a reflection of years of work, belief, and staying committed to growth on and off the court.

At DBYF, these aren’t just memories —
these are foundations for leadership, legacy, and community.

Make it stand out.

Statement:
This trip wasn’t just about basketball — it was about brotherhood, growth, and showing these young men that the world is bigger than what they see every day. I’ve been with many of these boys for over five years, watching them grow from kids just learning the game into young men learning responsibility, discipline, and confidence. For most of them, this was their first time on an airplane. Their first time leaving home like this. Their first time stepping into a new environment and realizing they belong anywhere they go.

These are the moments that shape a young man’s future — not just the wins and losses on the court, but the conversations, the guidance, the laughter, the challenges, and the belief that someone is invested in them. Mentorship is bigger than basketball. It’s about standing with them, showing them what’s possible, and building relationships that last far beyond any tournament.

Dream Big Youth Foundation is about this — exposure, encouragement, and lifelong brotherhood. Because when you show a young man the world, he starts to believe he can change his place in it.

"There was a time when my child was struggling. He was carrying pain that he didn’t have the words for, and it started to show in his confidence, his behavior, and his motivation. As a parent, it is one of the hardest things to witness — to see your child pull away from who they once were.

When he entered Mr. Jones’ program, something changed.

Mr. Jones didn’t just teach discipline and basketball. He provided consistency, structure, and a sense of belonging. He spoke to my child with respect, challenged him to rise to higher standards, and reminded him of his value when he couldn’t see it himself. Little by little, I watched my child open back up — stand up straighter, speak with more belief, and move with more purpose.

The growth has been real.
More confidence.
More accountability.
More pride in who he is becoming.

What many people don’t always see are the sacrifices behind the scenes — the early morning workouts, the ride home conversations, the school visits, the family check-ins, and the patience it takes to mentor young men through real-life challenges. Mr. Jones shows up — consistently — even when it is not convenient. He invests his time, his energy, and his heart.

I am grateful for his commitment, his leadership, and the way he shows these boys that they matter. The difference he makes isn’t temporary — it’s lifelong”.
— Parent of DBYF Student

“When our family moved to Waukegan, my son was trying to figure out where he belonged. It was a new school, a new environment, and a new chapter of life. During his 6th grade year, Mr. Jones met him after a basketball game and spoke to him with purpose — like he saw something in my son that my son didn’t yet see in himself. That moment shifted the direction his life was heading.

Since then, Mr. Jones has been more than a coach.
He has been a mentor, a guide, and a steady presence.

He has helped my son grow in confidence, discipline, and character. He has taught him how to carry himself, how to work through challenges, and how to hold himself to a higher standard — on the court, in school, and in life.

What people don’t always see is everything that happens beyond basketball. The check-in calls when life feels heavy. The conversations during rides home that turn into life lessons. The visits to school to make sure he is staying focused. The quiet moments of reminding him that he is seen, valued, and not alone. Those moments have shaped him just as much as the practices, games, and workouts.

Mr. Jones has supported our family — not just our son. He has encouraged us, stood with us, and shown up when it mattered most. That kind of consistency is rare. That kind of impact is lasting”.

We are grateful.
Truly, deeply grateful.

— Parent of a DBYF Student."

“When Mr. Jones made the decision to leave The Academy to start the Dream Big Youth Foundation, many of us parents were confused at first. We were hurt because of how deeply he had invested in our sons and our families. But as we stepped back, we realized something important — Mr. Jones has a higher calling.

It felt a lot like when a coach at a small Division I school gets recruited by a larger university — not because he wants to leave his players, but because his impact has grown too big to be held in one place. Mr. Jones has the opportunity to reach and change the lives of even more young men across Lake County, and it would have been selfish of us to try to hold him back.

For the past five years, we have watched him show up for our sons day after day — early mornings, late evenings, school visits, trainings, travel, mentorship, discipline, and love. He has given his life to these boys. And because of that, our children stand taller today.

We will forever be grateful for the foundation he laid with our sons. And now, we are proud to support him as he extends that same care, love, and leadership to even more youth through the Dream Big Youth Foundation.

This isn’t the end — this is the expansion of something powerful."
— Parents of Former Academy Families.”

A person with athletic build in a sports jersey with 'DBYF' on the back, arms raised, standing before a globe, with the words 'Dream Big, Believe Bigger, Achieve Beyond' around the globe.

UPCOMING EVENTS

UPCOMING EVENTS

January 2026

Local Gyms
Lake County, IL

Dream Big Youth Foundation — 5th Grade Open Tryouts

Building Leaders On and Off the Court

We are excited to host our first open tryouts for incoming 5th/6th grade boys across Lake County.
This is more than basketball — it’s mentorship, academic accountability, character-building, and life exposure.

Tryouts will be held in each of the following communities:

  • North Chicago

  • Waukegan

  • Beach Park / Zion

  • Round Lake

Date, Time, and Exact Locations: TBA

These sessions are free for all participants and will include:

  • A basketball skills evaluation

  • A parent information meeting about the Dream Big Youth Foundation

  • Discussion of expectations, academic support, travel opportunities, and our mentorship model

At the conclusion of the tryouts, we will select 15 committed student-athletes who will enter our first DBYF cohort — a brotherhood that grows together for years, not just a season.

What Makes DBYF Different:

  • Year-round mentorship and guidance

  • Academic check-ins and support

  • Leadership and character development

  • Travel + exposure opportunities (local, national, international)

  • Strong community + family engagement

  • Built on long-term relationships, not transactions

Cost: Free to try out and free to participate
*Parents are required to attend the information session during tryouts.

RSVP
“Effort is our foundation. Discipline is our language. Growth is our expectation.”
— D.B.Y.F

July of 2026

Basketball Arena
Minneapolis, MN * Las Vegas, NV

The Academy — Final Run: LIVE AAU Exposure Tour

Minneapolis, MN → Las Vegas, NV
14-Day Travel & Exposure Experience

This summer, I will be taking a group of young men I have been mentoring since their 6th grade year on their final opportunity to compete together in LIVE NCAA-certified AAU events. These are young men I’ve watched grow — not just as athletes, but as leaders, brothers, and future role models.

This group represents the foundation, the standard, and the culture of what mentorship looks like when time, love, discipline, and consistency are invested over years — not just seasons.

Trip Includes:

  • Minneapolis, Minnesota — LIVE NCAA AAU Event

  • Las Vegas, Nevada — LIVE NCAA AAU Event + Exposure

  • NBA Summer League Experience — Watching and learning from:

    • Their favorite NBA players

    • Top rookies making their debut

    • 2nd-year players fighting for roster and rotation spots

    • The professional environment, work ethic, preparation, and focus it takes to reach the highest level

This isn’t just watching games —
This is real-world education through experience.

Bigger Than Basketball

When this journey enters its final chapter, these young men step into a new role — becoming mentors and big brothers to the first DBYF cohort of 5th and 6th graders.
To be a part of this Final Run, each player is expected to lead, teach, and invest in the next group coming behind them.

Their commitment does not end with the last game.

This relationship continues:

  • Through their senior year of high school

  • Into higher education or career pathways

  • Remaining connected as role models and examples of what growth looks like over time

And as part of building brotherhood and identity, the DBYF cohort will attend their high school basketball games, showing support, learning what discipline looks like at the next level, and understanding what it means to represent something bigger than themselves.

Because their journey is the blueprint.

They show us that:

  • Hard work matters

  • Brotherhood matters

  • Discipline matters

  • Belief matters

And here, when you rise — you reach back.
You uplift the next young man.
You carry the standard forward.

This is how legacy is built.
This is how community is strengthened.
This is how we change the future — together.

The Cycle We Are Building

Older brothers rise → then reach back and lift up the younger ones.
That is how culture is built.
That is how legacy begins.
That is how communities change.

Dream Big. Believe Bigger. Achieve Beyond.

RSVP
“We rise together. We move together. And as we climb, we reach back. Because a legacy doesn’t start when you arrive — it starts with who you bring with you.”
— D.B.Y.F

Fall of 2026

Venue
Lake County, IL

Dream Big Youth Foundation

Inaugural Vision & Legacy Gala

Fall 2026

In the Fall of 2026, the Dream Big Youth Foundation will host our first annual Gala — a celebration of community, mentorship, and the power of investing in our youth.

This Gala is not just an event —
it is the moment we bring our community together to stand behind our mission.
A mission rooted in long-term relationships, generational growth, and giving our young people the tools, exposure, and belief needed to build futures they can be proud of.

Purpose of the Gala

This evening will:

  • Celebrate our 5th/6th grade cohort as they enter the foundational years of the program

  • Honor the young men from The Academy who are returning as mentors and leaders

  • Recognize community partners, educators, and families who have supported our vision

  • Share the future of DBYF — from academic assistance to travel exposure to leadership training

This night will highlight the continuum of mentorship:
Older youth giving back → younger youth rising → families being uplifted → community growing stronger.

What Makes This Gala Special

This is a moment to:

  • Tell the stories that shaped this work

  • Spotlight the young men who have earned their growth

  • Honor the legacy of community servants like Commissioner Audrey Nixon

  • Show what it looks like when we invest in our own

It will be an evening of:

  • Dinner & Live Program

  • Student and Family Spotlights

  • Video Storytelling

  • Guest Speakers & Community Honorees

  • Silent Auction & Impact Fundraising

Why Fall 2026 Matters

By Fall 2026:

  • The first DBYF cohort will be fully established

  • The Academy young men will be serving as peer mentors

  • The system will be in motion, not just in planning

This Gala marks the moment where:
We show the community what investment + mentorship + expectation can build.

Dream Big. Believe Bigger. Achieve Beyond.
Legacy isn’t what we leave behind — it’s what we build while we’re here.

RSVP
“A legacy is not a moment of achievement — it’s a generation transformed because somebody cared.”
— D.B.Y.F

Support us

*

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3% Cover the Fee
A person in a sleeveless athletic shirt with 'DBYF' on the back, standing with arms outstretched in front of a stylized globe. The text around the globe reads 'Dream Big,' 'Believe Bigger,' and 'Achieve Beyond.'

Let’s Connect


DBYF is built on relationships — and that begins with conversation.
Whether you’re a parent, mentor, educator, partner, or supporter, we’re here.

Email: jonathan@dreambigyouthfoundation.org
Phone: (224) 409-3497
Follow Us: @dream_big_youth_foundation

Thank you for being part of our community.

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