Our Mission
Our mission is to engage and empower underserved youth in Philadelphia communities to be tomorrow’s leaders through experiential learning, mentorship, and athletic activities.
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WHY WE
DO IT
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Research has shown that increased student participation in sports and extracurricular activities leads to better academic success, more discipline, self-confidence and social skills, and access to positive adult role models.
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Read our summer 2023 Newsletter here
Our History
Our Co-Founder, Isaiah Thomas, is a Philadelphia native and servant leader who forged lifelong friendships while playing basketball as a youth. Even after graduating from high school and going off to college, he returned home during breaks and over the summer to play basketball and serve as a mentor and coach to younger athletes. As he embarked upon a professional career, he realized the importance that participation in organized sports played in his development of personal discipline, access to mentorship and role models, and academic achievement.
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As an involved community member, Thomas saw that parents and kids both struggled to find affordable, safe activities, both during the summer and throughout the year. To ensure other youth had access to opportunities like he did, he launched an annual week-long basketball camp in 2012. In 2015, he founded The Thomas & Woods Foundation to expand this impact.
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Our Team
Isaiah Thomas
Co-Founder
Zackary Arnold
Board Member
Klissa Thomas
Board Chair
Dom Miller
Manager
Darrien Johnson
Vice Chair
Scott Peterman
Treasurer
Contact us
The Thomas & Woods Foundation depends on partners, sponsors and volunteers to fund and execute our programs. If you’re interested in speaking with us or learning more, please email info@thomasandwoodsfoundation.org.
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The Thomas & Woods Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization and all donations are tax deductible.
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Mailing Address: PO Box 13353, Philadelphia, PA 19101