JCK Foundation

by Angelina Nguyen | April 2025

The JCK Foundation visited Maria Regina’s freshman and sophomores to promote the importance of stable mental health. John Tessitore and Kevin McMahon shared their story on why they started the foundation. It started with a man named John Clever Kelly. John Clever Kelly, who had an unbelievable instinct for kindness, was a close friend of Tessitore’s. He was the type of person who would listen to you until you felt safe and did his best to empower the socially isolated. John Kelly spent his life searching for ways to help others, which also helped  him  alleviate his own OCD and depression. Unfortunately, he lost his battle with OCD just days before his 25th birthday. Tessitore and McMahon decided to continue John Clever Kelly’s legacy through the JCK Foundation so others could learn from Kelly. Through their foundation, they have taught many the importance of friendship, vulnerability, empathy, and finding help if you are struggling. The students at Maria Regina truly learned, appreciated, and enjoyed the activities that the JCK Foundation generously put together to share this important message.