Current Initiatives
We are proud to build programs rooted in compassion, connection, and expanded access to mental health care for adolescents and young adults.
Jayden’s Helping Hand
Jayden’s Helping Hand fills a crucial gap in mental healthcare by helping underinsured individuals living with schizophrenia and psychosis access the treatment they deserve.
Through our partnership with Sharp Mesa Vista, participants receive intensive outpatient care, medication support, and continued follow-up services—resources that are often out of reach without insurance.
Our ongoing work includes funding enrollment for new participants, expanding awareness of available services, and strengthening long-term support so individuals can stay connected to care during recovery.
You can help us continue this work—your support allows more people to receive the treatment and stability they need.
To date, we have donated over $70,000 and will be supporting many more patients to come.
Robert Gillespie MD. Chairman Jayden T. Gillespie Foundation
Fadi Nicolas MD. Chief Medical Officer Sharp Behavioral Health
Our Foundation, in collaboration with the RADical Hope Foundation is now scheduling multi-week programs designed to improve mental health, social engagement and organization in 16-18 year olds.
Let’s Talk About It
To be offered in local churches, community centers, and high schools, this series of lectures and services for the San Diego community aims to remove the stigma of mental health challenges and empower adolescents and young adults to get the necessary help prior to experiencing a crisis.
The project will be led by JTGF Board Member Herb Martin, PhD, President of the Peak Performance Consulting Group.
For more information on how we can enroll your organization, please contact us at info@jtgf.net.
Radical Hope
Herb Martin, Ph.D
Jayden T. Gillespie Memorial Scholarship
The Jayden T. Gillespie Memorial Scholarship was established to support students at Loyola Marymount University who embody Jayden’s spirit of hard work, endless curiosity, and deep compassion.
With priority given to students pursuing degrees in the School of Film and Television, we’ve awarded over $180,000 to our recipients.
Our Recipients:
2025 – Jalen Pipkins, Screenwriting
2024: Yvonne El-Amin – Film & Television Production
2023: Kahley Burwall – Screenwriting
2023: Iris Gullette – Screenwriting
2023: Royce Haddock – Film & Television Production
2022: Andrew Washington – Film, Television & Media Studies
SD County Monthly Health Fair
The Jayden T. Gillespie Foundation Health Fair is a monthly community event that provides free health services, food support, and access to critical resources for families in need. Each month, the fair serves 300 to 400 participants and brings together around 50 community vendors, including organizations such as UCSD Shiley Eye Center, UCSD Mammogram Services, Kaiser Permanente, San Ysidro Health, Falck, and Humane Society Pet Services.
Nearly 300 attendees receive free health screenings at each event, including blood pressure, cholesterol, and A1C testing, along with consultations related to conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and heart disease. The event also helps connect uninsured individuals with healthcare providers who offer significantly reduced-cost services, helping many enter the healthcare system and eventually qualify for Medi-Cal or other insurance programs.
In addition, the Health Fair supports 400 to 450 families facing food insecurity each month by providing free fresh produce, helping address the challenges of food deserts in many communities. The Foundation also hosts five free student sports physical events each year, serving 80 to 100 students at each event so young athletes can safely participate in school sports regardless of financial barriers.
Through these efforts, the Health Fair expands access to healthcare, nutrition, and community resources while advancing the mission of the Jayden T. Gillespie Foundation.
