01
Education advocacy & support
Helping build a culture that values education, with mentoring, tutoring and support for future educational goals.
About the Foundation
Soccer is the vehicle.
A better life is the goal.
Education, advocacy and practical support for young people and their families.
Martin Jacobson · Founder
A life’s work.
A lasting connection.
A native New Yorker born in Brooklyn, Martin Jacobson is a lifelong public-school educator who has worked as a counselor, teacher, dean and athletic director. He believes every child can succeed when given the right opportunities.
His own experiences with adversity, substance abuse and recovery shaped the way he sees young people and the possibilities ahead of them. As the coach of MLK’s nationally recognized soccer program, he has always asked players to put education and life beyond sport first.
The vision for the Foundation grew from wanting to do more for the young people and families whose lives are connected to the team.
Meet the team & advisory boardOur mission
Every young person
deserves a future.
The Coach Jake Foundation is a nonprofit advocacy organization providing legal, educational and social-service support to young soccer players facing barriers to opportunity.
Its guiding belief is simple: everyone deserves the chance to have a better life. With soccer as a vehicle, the Foundation advocates for underserved urban youth and supports their dreams beyond the game.
Young people may face poverty, violence and pressure to leave school. The Foundation’s work connects support around those challenges so they can grow into the people they want to become.
Our work
Support for the whole person.
02
Social-service advocacy & support
Working with young people and families to improve access to resources, opportunities and the essentials of everyday life.
03
Immigration advocacy & support
Advocating for young people and helping connect them with legal support so they can pursue their dreams and improve their lives.
“Coach Jake is helping these kids in giving them an opportunity to succeed.”
Carmelo Anthony
“I love to see the MLK kids that are on the right track… doing incredible things.”
Drake
“I have my priorities set out: family first, education, and then soccer comes after that.”
MLK soccer player