We're Here Because Every Child Deserves to Be Seen.
The JWF Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving foster youth and underserved
families across Northeast Florida. We provide free, trauma-informed programs in
mental health, education, mentorship, and sports - because no child should
navigate life alone.
From Compassion to Action
Dr. Junaid Ahmed and Dr. Wassia Khaja Ahmed spent their careers in medicine; one in cardiology, one in ophthalmology - healing people one patient at a time.
But they kept encountering children and families falling through the cracks of a system meant to protect them. Young people in foster care without enough connection or consistency. Families navigating crisis with nowhere to turn. And those ageing out of the system, stepping into adulthood without a safety net beneath them.
They knew that consistent, intentional care, at any stage of that journey, could change a life's trajectory. So alongside Navy veteran and community leader Billy Pernell, they built an organisation to prove it.
The JWF Foundation was founded on the belief that dignity, stability, and opportunity are not privileges, they're rights every child deserves, whether they're just entering care, still within it, or finding their footing on the other side.
Our Values
Dignity
We honour the full humanity of every young person we serve.
Consistency
Stability is a form of care. We show up, every time.
Opportunity
We remove barriers so potential can surface.
Community
No one heals in isolation. We build networks, not just programs.
Equity
Every service we offer is completely free to the youth and families we serve.
Our Mission
We believe every child deserves the chance to thrive. Our mission is to build bridges of opportunity, through mentorship, wellness programming, and purposeful partnerships, for youth touched by the foster care system. Together, we’re reshaping what’s possible.
Our Vision
To redefine the future for foster youth by transforming systems of care into pathways of opportunity - where every child is seen, supported, and set up to succeed.
Meet the Board
Dr. Junaid Ahmed is the co-founder of the JWF Foundation and a board-certified cardiologist who has spent his career expanding access to care for overlooked communities. At JWFF, he brings that same commitment to every young person the foundation serves.
Dr. Wassia Khaja Ahmed is a board-certified ophthalmologist and co-founder of the JWF Foundation. Her dedication to equity and community wellbeing extends far beyond the clinic, championing initiatives that uplift foster youth and the caregivers who support them.
Billy Pernell is a Navy veteran, published author, and quality engineer whose leadership and resilience continue to inspire beyond his military service. As co-founder of JWFF, he brings accountability, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to the next generation.