The Jackie Kallen Foundation is the philanthropic heartbeat of the “First Lady of Boxing,” dedicated to empowering at-risk youth and supporting women in crisis. Leveraging Jackie’s legendary “puncher’s chance” philosophy, the foundation provides the tools for individuals to fight back against life’s toughest circumstances.
Core Pillars & Mission
- Youth Empowerment: Jackie has served as the Youth Sports Coordinator for the LA County Sheriff’s Department, where she established boxing gyms in high-risk areas. The foundation continues this mission by encouraging kids to “quit the gangs and go to the gym,” using boxing as a vehicle for discipline, self-esteem, and leadership.
- Support for Women: A passionate advocate for those facing domestic adversity, Jackie is deeply involved with women’s shelters and organizations that support battered and abused women.
- Health Advocacy: As a survivor of both heart disease and cancer, Jackie uses her foundation to raise awareness for women’s heart health and early cancer detection, emphasizing that “Life is a Fight” and health is the first line of defense.
- Community Rejuvenation: The foundation focuses on creating safe spaces—like the historic gyms Jackie helped build in Detroit and LA—where community members can train, find mentorship, and develop the resilience needed to succeed in and out of the ring.
The Vision
The Jackie Kallen Foundation doesn’t just teach people how to box; it teaches them how to be champions of their own lives. By providing mentorship, athletic programs, and essential resources, the foundation aims to shatter glass ceilings for the next generation, just as Jackie did in the 1970s.
”I want to give these kids a place to achieve their goals—a place where they can feel the pride of being a contender.”
— Jackie Kallen
