The Foundation’s first endeavor began in 1992. In partnership with the Jefferson County Public Schools, Project VISION was designed to provide life-enriching skills to children in need of financially assistance to succeed. Its purpose was to empower these children, called "Visionaries", with the ability to see themselves as valuable people with promising futures. In 1992, 38 children then attending the 6th grade were selected.
To become a Visionary, each student committed to attend three after school sessions per week, every week, from the seventh grade through the twelfth grade. These after school sessions included exercises in building self-esteem, scholastic tutoring, drug education, value clarification and exercises in the responsibilities of citizenship in a democratic society.
For six years the Visionaries attended an organized after school program at the Duvalle Education Center and, later, at the Old Male High School. These activities were designed to assist and encourage the Visionaries to remain in school, define clear academic and career objectives and fulfill the requirements for admission to college or vocational school. In addition to a paid and volunteer staff, a mentoring program was utilized to maximize the Visionaries' development. Of the original 38 students selected, 34 fulfilled the rigorous requirements.
All 34 Visionaries graduated from one of fifteen different Jefferson County High Schools and each attended college. The King Foundation for Social Justice paid the cost of each Visionary's college tuition, housing, meal plan, and books. A stipend for personal expenses was also included. Thus far 20 Visionaries have graduated from college and 8 have earned Master Degrees. Most importantly, all of the Visionaries are leading happy, productive lives.
