08/28/2026
Everybody Gets To Eat Foundation Inc. (EGTE) Mandala Project @ MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation
Mandala art is a powerful tool and is one I use myself for strengthening mindfulness, concentration, and building confidence in artistic ability. The EGTE Mandala Challenge wrapped up this summer at the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation, working with girls in 4th through 8th grade who showed up week after week to create, focus, and have their work seen. Breathing exercises for calming the body and mind were led by my great friend, artist Agni Zotis, founder of MAY Kids Transform.
I spent countless hours this year reaching out to local Jacksonville youth organizations to pitch the Mandala Project, and I was fortunate to connect with Ms. Pam Simon, Director of Program Services at the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation. Through our meetings and her generous support, we successfully developed an official partnership.
MaliVai "Mal" Washington is an American former professional tennis player who reached the men's singles final at Wimbledon in 1996 and won four ATP titles. That same year, he created the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation to introduce tennis to inner-city youth. In 2009, he received the ATP Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year Award for his work through the foundation.
MWYF has served over 20,000 children and raised $3 million to build a 9,000-square-foot youth center with eight tennis courts in Jacksonville, Florida, which opened in May 2008.