In lieu of flowers or to honor Jake’s life, the Kanyer family requests donations be made to the following charities:
If you make a donation, please note in the comment box that you are giving in honor of Jake Kanyer.
Jake researched Talitha Koum, based in Waco, TX, for his Philanthropy class. Talitha Koum does transformational work in children age 8 weeks to kindergarten. More than a preschool, they are a faith-based therapeutic nurture center, helping kids in deep poverty to develop the cognitive and psychological coping tools that will help them succeed in life. Talitha Koum’s Director, Susan Cowley, shared:
In announcing the class's donation by email, Jake said in part:
“TKI’s work to help the trauma-affected children in Waco, and the dedication, accountability, and success you have had in that work, impressed and inspired everyone in our group, and we are delighted to support Talitha Koum and its mission.... I’ve greatly enjoyed learning about TKI, and I’m thrilled to be able to support it!”
What that told me was that Jake had been a fully effective emissary to the class regarding our neuroscience-based work which is not easy to understand or communicate. I was so grateful to him.
Blanket Coverage is a non-profit serving the homeless community in downtown Portland for over 30 years. The Kanyer family has supported their efforts to build relationship with homeless individuals through faithful acts of kindness for most of those 30 years. Jake also grew to love and support this organization on his own.
The philosophy of Blanket Coverage’s work is to go to where the people live. Three to four nights each week they travel through the skid row and warehouse districts of Portland Oregon handing out blankets, clothes, meals and other much-needed assistance. One of their favorite things is sneaking up and covering a sleeping life under a bridge or alleyway and getting away without ever waking them up, much as a parent checking a child's blanket in their own home. Sleep is a rare commodity in the streets, and their purpose is to extend this event, not disrupt it. Their heart is to eventually build friendship and relationships that lead to an individual moving into a safe home off of the streets.
The Beauchamp Addiction Recovery Center (BARC) is designed to support students in recovery from substance and behavioral addictions through all-encompassing levels of support. The BARC is part of a broad effort at the university to advance the well-being of its students. We believe in supporting students academically and in all areas of wellness: socially, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Through well rounded programs and support and by encouraging academic excellence, we aim to reach our goal of increasing positive recovery outcomes for every one of our students.