At Taylor Made Foundation (TMF), graduation is more than a milestone. It’s a reflection of consistency, resilience, and community belief. This year, we are proud to celebrate our five graduating seniors from the Taylor Made University (TMU) Class of 2026, affectionally called our “26ers”, students who have completed our multi-year mentorship, academic support, and college readiness program.
TMU operates out of Indian Creek Middle School and supports students in grades 6 through 12 in the form of year-round programming to include: academic enrichment, mentoring, college prep, and life skills development. Our goal has always been simple, but serious: help students get to college and be ready when they get there.
This year, support from the Newton Education Foundation helped us take that readiness one step further. Through an NEF grant, TMU was able to purchase college dorm essentials for each of our five graduating seniors. These items include bedding, storage items, and personal necessities that students need, but families don’t always have the capacity to cover during an already expensive season.
We will distribute these dorm essentials during our first-ever TMU graduation ceremony in May, sending our 26ers off to college feeling supported, prepared, and celebrated by their community.
These seniors have put in real work. They’ve balanced school, family responsibilities, extracurricular activities, and the pressure that comes with planning for life after high school. Over the years, they’ve participated in college application support, financial literacy workshops, career readiness sessions, mentoring, and goal-setting experiences that helped them grow into confident young adults.
For our families, this support reduced financial strain during an already expensive season. For our students, it sent a clear message: your community believes in you, and you belong in this next chapter.
We’re incredibly thankful to the Newton Education Foundation for believing in TMU and in our Class of 2026. Their investment will be felt in May at graduation and carried with our students as they step onto their college campuses this fall.
How to Support Taylor Made Foundation and Taylor Made University
Community partnerships make TMU possible. Local businesses, individuals, or organizations play a critical role in preparing teens for life beyond high school. Companies can partner with Taylor Made Foundation and Taylor Made University by hosting or facilitating career, financial literacy, or workforce readiness workshops; providing financial or in-kind donations; or offering volunteer support through employee engagement and mentorship. These partnerships give our students real-world exposure while allowing businesses to invest directly in the future talent of our community.
Submitted by Darnell Taylor, Founder and Executive Director of Taylor Made Foundation