No. 2 has always meant a lot to Derek Jeter. After all, it was the number he made iconic on the New York Yankees shirt. 2 also represents a second chance, a place to restart. It’s something that Jeter has believed in all his life. Youth make mistakes but must be given a chance to reform and recreate their paths. But how do they find that guidance? Jeter’s Turn 2 Foundation does just that.

The Turn 2 Foundation has been Jeter’s way of giving back to society. The Hall-of-Famer firmly believes that he has to give proper guidance to young people. Show them the power of being a lawful citizen and living a healthy life without drugs and alcohol. But how did it start, and what has been the progress since then?

How did Derek Jeter incept the idea of starting the Turn 2 Foundation? 

It was 1996, and Jeter was in a Detroit hotel room sharing pizza with his father. During those conversations, the topic of having a foundation arose. Jeter felt he was ready to start one, and so the journey began. Part of the inspiration for such an endeavor was his father, Dr. Sanderson Charles Jeter. 

Dr. Jeter had spent a good portion of his life as a counselor for drug and alcohol abuse. He had helped countless people overcome their substance abuse problems. That motivated Jeter to have his own foundation, where he can help young people make better choices. Jeter wanted the youth to recognize its complete potential and use it to the fullest. So with his father’s help, Jeter began his journey of making the youth rise above the vices of substance abuse.

What is the mission of the Turn 2 Foundation?

The Turn 2 Foundation’s mission is to create and support programs that motivate young people to turn away from drugs and alcohol. This will lead them to “Turn 2,” healthy lifestyles, and long-term success. To this end, the Turn 2 Foundation regularly promotes and rewards academic excellence, leadership development, and positive behavior. 

Turn 2 wants children in these programs to grow in a safe environment and find success in adulthood to become leaders of tomorrow. To this end, Turn 2 uses sponsors and partners to properly fund their programs. The Turn 2 staff remains steadfast and hands-on in their approach. So does Derek Jeter, who regularly attends events and personally delivers his message to youth.

In short, Turn 2’s initiatives revolve around guiding children each day toward healthy lifestyles and promoting the avoidance of drugs and alcohol. They fund organizations that share Turn 2’s fundamental values and host events where Jeter interacts with young people. This enables the youth to become leaders of tomorrow, help their communities, and excel academically.

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Who runs the foundation now? Is it Derek Jeter?

While Derek Jeter is the Founder and Chairman of the foundation, he isn’t the one who runs its day-to-day activities. That is done by his sister, Sharlee Jeter, who has been the President of the Turn 2 Foundation since 2010. Ever since becoming President, Sharlee has taken the foundation to new heights. During this journey, she has been supported by the Turn 2 staff. 

The staff includes Simona Betton, Director of Programs, and Hannah Perez, Operations Manager. It also has Dr. Harold Swift, Kalamazoo Jeter’s Leaders Program Director, and Katie Renn, executive assistant to the President. Together, they form a formidable team that has seen tremendous heights as of 2024. 

An overview of the programs that have made a difference

Turn 2 Foundation currently runs three programs, including one special program. Its three signature programs are the Derek Jeter Center at Phoenix House (Tampa), Jeter’s Leaders Program (New York and West Michigan), and the Turn 2 US Program (New York). The special program is the Turn 2 Baseball Clinic in Tampa.

Jeter’s close association with New York, West Michigan, and Tampa, Florida, has turned these areas into the primary areas of concern for the Foundation. However, the foundation aims to expand in other areas as well. Apart from these programs, there are five scholarships currently endowed by the Turn 2 Foundation. Jeter also recently unveiled the new baseball/softball complex at Kalamazoo Central High School.

All in all, the Turn 2 Foundation has led to a major change in the lives of many children. Its impact can be understood by the sheer numbers that it has raised for its programs since its inception.

Turn 2 Foundation’s impact on society: Stories that speak for themselves

For over 16 years, 100 percent of high school students have graduated from the Jeter’s Leaders Program, the flagship program of the Foundation. According to its official website, the Turn 2 Foundation has given back more than $40 million, funding its signature programs and organizations that support its mission. On the whole, the foundation as of now is worth around $6 million. This has led to transformational change in the lives of thousands of youth.

For his contribution and philanthropic work, Derek Jeter was awarded an honorary doctorate from Siena College in 2012. That shows the impact that Jeter and his foundation have had on young people’s lives. Since then, under the leadership of Sharlee Jeter, they’ve gone from strength to strength. With many more years to come, this foundation will continue to play its part in creating a good lifestyle and a lasting future for the next generation.

Read more: Derek Jeter Announces Iconic Annual Golf Invitational, as His Turn 2 Foundation Aims to Give Back