A strong team can make a big difference, both on the field and in the community.
Derrick Johnson’s Defend the Dream Foundation supports Austin kids on and off the field
Football legend, author and Defend the Dream Foundation founder Derrick Johnson returned to We Are Austin to chat with Sierra Waggoner and share how his organization is helping local children through education, literacy and access to resources.
Football legend, author and Defend the Dream Foundation founder Derrick Johnson returned to We Are Austin to chat with Sierra Waggoner and share how his organization is helping local children through education, literacy and access to resources.
“Defend the Dream Foundation caters to inner-city kids through education,” Johnson said. “We go to low-income areas, Title I elementary schools. We do library makeovers.”
Johnson said the foundation’s work is rooted in the belief that literacy can help create opportunities for children to reach their full potential.
“We know education starts from literacy and starts from getting up on their reading levels,” Johnson said. “It’s all about literacy and being able to give them the proper resources so they can reach their full potential at the end of the day.”
Turning school libraries into places kids want to learn
Johnson’s passion for education started at home. His mother was a schoolteacher for more than 40 years and instilled in him the importance of education from an early age.
“Whatever you want to be in life, education is the key,” Johnson said. “Especially if you’re in a low-income area.”
“We used to have one every semester,” Johnson said. “Now, since we’re raising more funds, we get to do two a semester. The more we raise, the more we push out into the community.”
Through its library makeover program, Defend the Dream transforms spaces at local elementary schools with fresh designs, functional furniture and more than 1,000 new, age-appropriate books.
The foundation is preparing to expand that impact even further. Johnson said two additional library makeovers are planned for November, which will bring the total number completed in Austin to 10.
“We used to have one every semester,” Johnson said. “Now, since we’re raising more funds, we get to do two a semester. The more we raise, the more we push out into the community.”
‘Super DJ’ helps kids discover their own strengths
Johnson and his wife, Brittany, are also sharing those lessons through their children’s book, “Super DJ Saves Field Day.”
‘Super DJ’ helps kids discover their own strengths
The story follows a dad who becomes a superhero and helps children discover that they have their own unique superpowers.
“Everybody’s best looks a little different,” Johnson said. “You just got to control what you can control, and they can be really, really successful in life.”
Celebrity Waiter Night raises $680,000
Defend the Dream is also bringing the Austin community together to help fund its work.
The foundation’s inaugural Celebrity Waiter Night put a playful spin on fundraising by asking familiar faces to trade their usual uniforms and professions for aprons and serve guests for the evening.
“It’s all about being able to use your platform in a way that helps others,” Johnson said.
“We know education starts from literacy and starts from getting up on their reading levels,” Johnson said. “It’s all about literacy and being able to give them the proper resources so they can reach their full potential at the end of the day.”
The first event raised $680,000 for the foundation, and Johnson said the goal for the next Celebrity Waiter Night is to raise even more.
“I smile every time I think about it,” Johnson said. “We had a lot of fun. We had too much fun that night.”
As Defend the Dream continues expanding its work across Austin, Johnson is encouraging the community to get involved and help the organization reach even more children.
Watch the interview above to hear more from Derrick Johnson and learn how Defend the Dream Foundation is using education and literacy to help Austin kids reach their full potential.
Head to derrickjohnsonfoundation.org to learn more!
Head to derrickjohnsonfoundation.org to learn more!