Our Story
About Jacob
He traveled the globe with a camera in hand, collecting moments. He had an infectious laugh, and a rare gift for seeing when someone needed a hug.
“If he sensed someone near him was hurting, he would walk right up and ask — Do you need a hug?”
Jacob Ari Kamis
2006 – 2022 · Tampa, Florida
Jacob’s Story
A Boy Who Saw the World Through a Lens of Love
Jacob Ari Kamis was 16 years old when we lost him on May 4, 2022. He was someone who could light up a room. He traveled the globe with a camera in hand, collecting moments with an eye that saw beauty others overlooked. He was training to fly. He had an infectious laugh and a way of making everyone around him feel truly seen.
“He had a rare gift — if he sensed someone near him was hurting, he would walk right up and ask, ‘Do you need a hug?’”
— His family
Beneath all that light, Jacob struggled in silence. Like so many young people, he carried more than anyone around him knew. We lost him — and in losing him, we found our purpose.
The Jacob Ari Kamis Foundation exists because no young person should ever have to carry that weight alone. We believe that every teen and young adult deserves to be seen, heard, and supported — through mental health awareness, peer connection, and the healing power of art.
The Mission
Empowering teens through art, awareness & community
The Jacob Ari Kamis Foundation empowers teens and young adults through mental health awareness, peer support, and the healing power of art, in honor of a boy who saw the world through a lens of love and always stopped to ask if you needed a hug. Whatever you are carrying, you are not alone.
The Vision
A world where no one carries alone
We envision a Florida, and ultimately a nation, where mental health is spoken about openly without shame — in every school, every home, and every community. Where a young person who is struggling does not wait years to ask for help. Where the gap between need and access no longer costs lives. We are building the world Jacob deserved to grow up in. One young person, one hug, one story at a time.
Leadership
Meet Our Board
Led by a dedicated team of mental health professionals, educators, artists, and community members — all united by their love for Jacob and their commitment to his mission.
Katherine Alano
Founder & Board Chair
Jacob’s mother. A passionate advocate for youth mental health and the driving force behind the foundation’s creation.
Lydia Abrams
Clinical Advisor
Licensed clinical social worker with expertise in adolescent mental health and crisis intervention.
Debra Campbell
School & Community Liaison
Educator and school counselor specializing in building mental health-aware school communities.
Arts Community Member
Arts & Photography Director
Artist and curator overseeing the Through Their Lens program and exhibition partnerships.
Legal Advisor
General Counsel
Nonprofit attorney ensuring the foundation operates with the highest standards of governance and accountability.
Business Community Leader
Strategic Partnerships
Tampa Bay business executive focused on expanding the foundation’s reach and corporate partnerships.
Community Outreach Director
Outreach & Communications
Community organizer with deep ties to Hillsborough County’s youth-serving organizations and schools.