About Us

Julian's Fountain of Youth (JFOY)

Julian’s Fountain of Youth (JFOY) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization that is managed by a volunteer board of directors dedicated to creating opportunities for our LGBTQ+ Youth to reach their full potential through community involvement and experiential learning.

Our Vision

The vision of Julian’s Fountain of Youth (JFOY) is to engage our LGBTQ+ youth in building confidence, character and courage to make responsible and ethical choices that will improve the quality of life for themselves, their families and their community.

How It All Began

The founder of Julian’s Fountain of Youth, Julian Cavazos has worked as a volunteer and Board Member in the nonprofit sector for over 30 years. Following his participation in experiential learning courses in 2006, Julian made a commitment to himself that one day he would make these courses and course activates available to LGBTQ Youth at no cost to them. Following a health scare, Julian dedicated the following 11 months to creating Julian’s Fountain of Youth.

Our Mission

To enrich, empower and educate our LGBTQ+ youth and to challenge them beyond their normal comfort level to discover their abilities and true authentic selves, regardless of their financial situation, by creating partnerships, programs and experiences with local, national and global organizations.

Meet

Our Team

Julian’s Fountain Of Youth community volunteers, original board of directors and the original seven youth enrolled in the Ft Lauderdale Youth Empowerment Retreat ( FLYER ).

Doing the right thing,
at the right time.

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Julian Cavazos

Board Member & Founder/CEO/President

julian@jfoy.org

Julian is a Navy veteran and small business owner who started his work in the nonprofit sector in 1988 during the height of the AIDS epidemic by volunteering with the first nonprofit organization in Houston Texas to focus on the needs of the Hispanic community. Called Amigos Volunteers in Education and Services or AVES, it was with AVES that he learned the importance of having a voice and taking a stand for others. Julian also Chaired the first LGBT Chamber of Commerce Counsel in the state of Florida and one of the first in the nation. Called the Gay and Lesbian Business Exchange or GLBX. Julian served as its chair for two consecutive years. Julian has since chaired or served on the following Boards: Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce SunServe Citizens of the World The Renand Foundation

Scott M. Rivelli

Board Member

scott@jfoy.org

Scott has been an active Broward County resident, business owner and destination partner for over thirty years with a long history of community service and a solid community network. Scott's current and past community involvement includes serving on County Commissioner Beam Furr’s Advisory Committee, Greater Ft. Lauderdale CVB Marketing Advisory Committee, Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association Board of Directors, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Co-Chair of the Hollywood Travel and Tourism Committee, Commission appointed member of the Hollywood Office of Tourism Marketing Advisory Committee, Co-Chair of the Leadership Hollywood Program, Co-founder and board member of the Alliance of Hollywood Beach Communities, Co-Founder and board member of the Corals Of Oakland Park Neighborhood Association and mentor and fundraising host for ChildNet, Broward County’s lead agency protecting abused, neglected and abandon children, to name a few. Scott’s involvement with JFOY since its inception combined with his valuable contribution to our community and LGBTQ+ causes makes him natural fit for JFOY’s board of directors.

Terry Martinez

Board Member & Secretary

terry@jfoy.org

Terry is a very recent retiree after 30 years in health care compliance in South Florida and 14 years in health care in Houston, Texas. She is a happily divorced mother of three incredible adult children, a renaissance man of a son-in-law, one exceptional granddaughter and an extremely special boyfriend of her youngest daughter. Terry was an active volunteer (probably too active according to her children) in school activities and volunteerism has always been important in giving back. She also participated in the American Heart Association’s Community Advocacy Committee. Terry became an LGBTQ advocate when her 16 y.o. son came out 12 years ago. She was active in her employer’s Pride Network Resource Group and has been an involved friend of the community. After attending her first Reverse Quinceanera, she found a brother from another mother in Julian Cavazos and a deeper love for the cause. Terry is adamantly opposed to any and all types of discrimination and inequality.

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