Tuff Cookie mentored JEVON WILKES in the Second Annual Bresee Youth Film Festival and Jevon tied for FIRST PLACE May 17, 2007!!!!

"Give Up on My Dream" was written, directed and edited by Jevon Wilkes for this year's theme: High School Dropouts.

At a young age, Jevon was living on the streets. "It was rough. I had no place to go. School was the only place I felt safe and found some support".


Jevon was ambivalent about telling his story because he thought people would think less of him if they knew he had been homeless and was sleeping in a doorway off Wilshire Blvd. Now, he is overwhelmed with all the support he has received from his community since he told his story. Kids look up to him and ask him for advice with their own struggles.

Jevon graduated in June and has been accepted to Cal State Channel Islands. He is the first to go to college in his family and he's dedicated to making sure his younger siblings get a higher education too.

The Bresee Foundation invites thousands of kids from all over the country to take part in their film festival each year. Thanks to Jerold Kress, Seth Eklund and Athena Boulgarides for putting cameras in the hands of numerous teens so they can to tell their story.

Because Tuff Cookie Productions meets with, and works with many nonprofits, we were able to match up two Funders with Bresee; one from a film company who wanted to get involved with a nonprofit, and another Funder at a Foundation with a particular interest in education and film. Their donations helped make the 2nd Annual Youth Film Festival at the Bresee Foundation a success! If you would like us to meet with your Nonprofit, please email: cookie@tuffcookieproductions.com or call us at 310-927-9440.