Our Mission
Dedicated to guiding youth and young adults on their journey of self-discovery and healing through film, arts, and media education while equipping them with the life skills and resources needed for future academic and employment opportunities.
Our Vision
We envision a future where all youth, regardless of their circumstances, have access to the tool and are equipped with the skills, and emotional resilience to thrive creatively, academically, and professionally.
Our History
The James R. Halsey Foundation of the Arts (JRH Foundation) was founded in 2017 after a local native of Trenton NJ, Joseph A. Halsey, completed the filming of an award-winning short documentary titled What If I Were Mayor. After sitting down with local Trenton area youth to discuss how they would fix the problems their city was facing, the idea of teaching kids film while inspiring change was born.
Inspired by the legacy of James R Halsey, who taught by example and who believed in working with young people struggling to fit in, the foundation emphasizes the unique skills and abilities of each individual student. As a little league coach, Mr. Halsey believed in creating a team with those who did not fit in, teaching them that they had the strengths and abilities to accomplish anything they wanted.