Jefari's House for Healing and Wellnesss
About Us
Jefari’s House for Healing and Wellness is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization born from the deeply personal vision of founder Janine M. Dobie, following the senseless shooting death of her son, Jefari.
Out of this unimaginable loss came a commitment to create something meaningful in his name—a place where young people can find the safety, support, and sense of belonging they need to heal, grow, and build meaningful lives.
Jefari’s House is developing a transitional residence in the Bedford-Stuyvesant/Stuyvesant Heights community of Brooklyn for young men and women who have completed alcohol or substance-use detoxification and/or rehabilitation programs and are committed to maintaining their sobriety. Residents will receive support as they work toward permanent housing, employment, greater independence, and the life skills needed to make healthy, sustainable choices.
What makes Jefari’s House different is our commitment to caring for the whole person. We recognize that recovery and lasting change involve more than providing a place to live. Our approach addresses the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of each young person while providing a clean, safe, and nurturing environment.
We believe lasting change begins when young people know they matter. By creating a place where they feel valued, supported, and empowered, Jefari’s House will help them move beyond their past circumstances and begin to imagine—and build—a different future. Working in partnership with local government, community-based organizations, service providers, and neighbors, Jefari’s House will strive to become not simply a residence, but a place of healing, hope, opportunity, and belonging.
The Inspiration Behind Jefari's House
Jefari was loved by family and friends for his warm smile and spirit, quirky sense of humor, and eargerness to always lend a helping hand. He had a unique style and flair for fashion--"the drip" and loved bright colors. He was an avid sneakerhead and cherished his collection.
Strong and athletic, Jefari enjoyed a brief football career until a broken foot took him away from the sport. He loved being outdoors, working with his hands,and building and fixing things. Among his favorite passions were were music and rapping, sports, food, and travel--not necessarily in that order.
Jefari was an aspiring rapper who found a powerful form of self expression through music. His creativity, individuality, humor, and dreams are all a part of the spirit behind Jefari's House--a place created in his memory so that other young people can have the support, opportunity, and encouragement they need to pursue their own possibilities and build meaningful futures.