Meet Chris Jones | CEO and Founder of the Young And Prosperous Foundation & Police Officer with the San Diego Police Department
We had the good fortune of connecting with Chris Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Chris, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The idea for founding the Young And Prosperous Foundation stemmed from a desire to maintain a deep connection with the community while pursuing a career in law enforcement. Recognizing the importance of giving back and supporting youth, I wanted to continue making a positive impact on children’s lives despite the demands of my profession. By establishing the foundation, I aimed to bridge my passion for helping children with my responsibilities as a police officer, creating a platform to provide support, guidance, and opportunities for young people to thrive. This initiative was driven by a commitment to fostering a safer, stronger, and more prosperous community.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My journey began in 2009 when I joined the Atlanta Police Department as a Police Officer. Alongside my role in law enforcement, I founded the Young And Prosperous Foundation with a mission to stay connected to the community and continue my passion for helping kids. This initiative was inspired by the positive impact of community policing in Atlanta, motivating me to promote similar positive interactions in my hometown of San Diego.
Transitioning to the San Diego Police Department presented challenges, but each hurdle shaped me into the officer and individual I am today. From patrolling Mid-City and Southeastern divisions to serving on the Juvenile Service Team (JST) and eventually becoming a Community Relations Officer, I’ve experienced the spectrum of policing roles.
Throughout my journey, I’ve learned the value of surrounding oneself with positive, like-minded, and selfless individuals dedicated to community service. This realization has become central to both my personal and professional growth.
If there’s one message I want the world to know about me and the Young And Prosperous Foundation, it’s this: “The right person(s) in the right situation can produce lasting change.” Our focus on building relationships underscores the importance of connections over mere service provision. Together, my team of Principal Tamara Muhammad (Franklin Elementary), Supervisor Probation Officer Ana Diaz-Pina (County of San Diego), Alexus McAfee (Pink Polish Dance elite) Dacia Russell (Bell Middle School), James Caldwell (Young Bulls) and Joanna Bass we strive to create positive and lasting impact on the communities we serve.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d recommend attending a Lincoln High School football or basketball game, as well as a Morse High School basketball game. If Pink Polish Dance Elite is performing, it’s definitely worth seeing. Additionally, I’d suggest catching a game of our youth basketball team, the Young Bulls.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to give a shoutout to the Southeast San Diego community. Growing up in the 90s, gang violence was rampant, and there were few mentoring programs available. Sports and teams became havens for kids, especially young men, providing safety and guidance. Coaches stepped up as mentors and father figures for many in the community. I want to thank the community for instilling in me compassion and a mindset of helping others.
Website: youngandprosperous.org
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yap_927/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-jones-00312418a
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yap927/
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