THE BIRTH OF THE FOUNDATION
JAMAR'S STORY
Jamar Kavon Hildreth passed away at the young age of 34 on Saturday, June 24, 2017. He was born February 26, 1983 in Hot Springs, AR to Lisa M. Hildreth. He attended the Hot Springs Regional Preschool for the Hearing Impaired and later entered the Arkansas School for the Deaf in Little Rock, AR. He graduated high school at the California School for Deaf in Riverside, CA in 2002. After returning to Arkansas, he enrolled in culinary at the Arkansas Rehabilitation Training Center in Hot Springs.
He was baptized at St. Mark Baptist Church in Little Rock, AR. His membership at St. Mark Baptist Church initiated the start of the church’s sign language ministry. After moving to California, he became a member of Faithful Central Bible Church in Inglewood, California. Jamar was a young man, who like far too many, was taken from us too early. But indeed, the Lord almighty had a different plan for him.
Loved by everyone who knew him, he was a special soul, multi-dimensional, and multi-talented. He could bring a room to belly-aching laughter with a well-timed joke; delight us with a tasty meal cooked at his hands; or bring cheer to his friends and family with his moves on the dance floor. Loss is never easy, but is made less painful when we recall the many moments when Jamar experienced and gave to others pure, unquestioned joy. We miss Jamar, best remembered not for what didn't become--but instead for what he gave us in his remarkable time on this Earth. Amen.
LISA'S STORY
Jamar’s mother has turned her pain from losing her only child into purpose by serving the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Beginning in 2019, Lisa chose to honor Jamar’s life by assisting persons who are Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing, and/or diagnosed with a disability, as well as, those having an interest with assisting people with disabilities live a wholesome, independent life by offering scholarships in the amount $34,000 annually (Jamar was 34 years old at the time of his passing).
Lisa privately funded the scholarships administered through St. Mark Baptist Church in Little Rock. The recipients of the scholarships are high school, college, and graduate students residing and represent many states including but not limited to Arkansas, Alabama, California, Illinois, Tennessee.
Lisa is now expanding Jamar's memory with the established 501(c)(3) tax exempt non-profit organization. The goal is to bring more awareness to the deaf culture by providing educational opportunities to the hearing community, providing and also assisting with more educational, employment and deaf resources to the deaf/hard-of-hearing community.
Jamar graduated from the California School for the Deaf, Riverside, CA in 2002
Founders and Incorporators: This was taken at St. Mark in 2019 for the inaugural scholarship announcement).
(Counterclockwise)
Faye Hildreth, Jamar's Grandmother;
Shey Anderson, Jamar’s Aunt;
Lisa M. Hildreth, Jamar’s Mother;
Lorin and Timothy Calhoun, Jamar’s Cousins
