Philadelphia residents can expect food, music, and community connection this summer as the Donna Marie Foundation prepares for its seventh annual Jerk and Juice Community Fair.
The event is scheduled for Sunday, June 28, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. It will bring together families across cultures for a full day of activities, including soccer games, vendors, face painting, and live entertainment. The foundation’s founder, Isha Campbell, says the event is meant to be more than just a good time. It is also designed to unite people and connect families to resources.
Campbell’s work is rooted in lived experience. She shared that her family migrated to the United States in the early 1980s and soon faced tragedy after a fire. She explained that navigating life in a new country came with challenges, including a lack of support systems like counseling and therapy. Over time, Campbell said those early experiences shaped her purpose and pushed her toward community service.
The foundation is named after Campbell’s sister Donna, who was deported in 1997 during the era of harsh immigration enforcement policies. Campbell explained that deportation created lasting impacts for their family, including foster care and the prison system. After her sister returned to Jamaica, Campbell began traveling back and forth, bringing food, clothing, and personal care items to people who had been deported and had little support.
Campbell later worked in the behavioral health field in Philadelphia and says her work with people in recovery helped her heal and deepen her commitment to helping others. She began collecting clothing through workshops and community events and eventually built the Donna Marie Foundation into a resource hub for immigrants and working families.
Today, Campbell says she is receiving more calls than ever due to increased fear and confusion around immigration policies. She has partnered with attorneys to help community members get quick guidance without paying high consultation fees.
“It is our fight because it spills over on so many different parts of our lives, and it’s a domino effect,” Campbell said.
The Jerk and Juice Community Fair will also include collaboration with the Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative, offering scrimmage soccer sessions for youth and community members. Campbell says soccer is a powerful opportunity for young people and wants more Black and Brown families involved.
The foundation is currently seeking volunteers, including high school students who need service hours. More information can be found on their website, Donna Marie Foundation.
