The Mission Behind the JWAS Foundation
For a child lost, a gift is given
The Jaxson William Augustus Swank Foundation (JWAS) was established by Larry and Sherry Swank in memory of their son, Jaxson. What began as a response to profound personal loss has grown into a commitment to support children and families in meaningful, life-shaping ways.
Since day one, providing financial aid to a select number of Jaxson Scholars beginning in preschool all the way through college has been the core mission of the JWAS Foundation. But it didn’t take long for Larry and Sherry to realize their students had needs far beyond finances.
In 2015, they hired their first part-time staff member to coordinate in-depth programming and establish their signature “Trilology of Care” approach: caring for the Jaxson Scholar, caring for the JWAS parent, and caring for the JWAS family. Through this approach, JWAS aims to lift the entire family unit and help each of them become the best version of themselves.
Supporting Not Only Children, But Parents
Families selected as Jaxson Scholars receive more than financial assistance. They become part of a close-knit community and benefit from the following programming highlights designed with the whole family in mind:
- Academic support.
- Customized character and leadership development.
- Experiences to cultivate self-confidence.
- Opportunities to give back to the community through service
- Ongoing check-ins and engagement through the entire educational journey.
Core Values
The JWAS Foundation is built on a clear set of values that shape how it supports every child and family it serves, including:
Character
Cultivating honest relationships and leading with integrity
Together, these values have shaped not only the foundation’s work but the lasting legacy Larry and Sherry have created in honor of their son Jaxson.