The Blueprint Behind the Mission.
Jared's Story
Jared Zachary Baillargeon Zimmerman was born in 1995 in Washington, D.C. and raised in Montclair, New Jersey. He attended the Montclair Community Pre-K, Rand Elementary School, Renaissance Middle School, and Montclair High School (MHS), where he graduated in 2013. As a child, Jared was an extremely bright, easygoing, gentle and kind being. Throughout his life, Jared loved people, music, reading, and the outdoors. As he got older, he added discussions about philosophy and a love of adventure to his repertoire. He also spent a lot of time skateboarding in various skate parks and backyard skate ramps.
During his time at MHS, Jared was a member of the Civics and Government Institute (CGI), serving as a Justice on the CGI Supreme Court, a participant in the Fed Challenge program, and ran on the cross-country team. He could be found on any given weekend, with his girlfriend, or at one of his friends' houses hanging out, hiking, biking, skiing or snowboarding. He loved to cook, write, and regularly beat his father at chess.
During his junior year of high school, Jared developed a vile, horrible, mental illness that attacked his brain. It was likely schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. His doctors never provided a firm diagnosis. After a long, complex struggle, he attended Bard College, determined to receive his college degree. Ultimately his mental illness resulted in his death on April 15, 2016. He was 20 years old.
We miss him EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.
"May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face, and the rain fall softly upon your fields, and until we meet again, dear Jared, may God hold you in the palm of [Her] hand."
— Irish Blessing given to Jared by his parents, at his funeral, April 19, 2016
Jared was many things. One of the first things that comes to mind was his intellect, which was vast and deep, but it was neither all-defining nor self-righteous. Many people are intelligent but intelligence without character is like thrust without vector—it is unpredictable and dangerous. Jared had character and an abundance of it. He was compassionate and wise, but also adventurous and inquisitive. He could be stubborn at times too. But his stubbornness was not driven by arrogance; rather, it was derived from conviction and principle. He was many things, but most of all, he was Jared.
Building a Framework for Youth Mental Health
What began as an outpouring of love after Jared's death grew into a Fellowship built so that no young person faces mental illness alone.
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In Jared's Name
After losing Jared in April 2016, friends and community asked how they could help — and sent donations in his memory.
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First Steps
Early gifts were sent to the amazing summer camp Jared loved and attended from ages 5–16, Farm & Wilderness, along with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
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The Gap We Saw
When Jared got sick, friends drifted away — not from cruelty, but because no one had ever taught them about mental illness.
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Founding the Fund
Jared's family founded Jared's Fund and in 2019, launched the first class of Fellows to help end the stigma around mental health and to educate students about the issue.
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The Mission Today
The Fellowship equips young people to understand mental health, support one another, and help end the stigma.
"If Jared had gotten cancer, his friends would have surrounded his bedside asking how to help. Our mission is to make that same compassion the response to mental illness."
The Principles That Guide Us
Destigmatizing Mental Health
Confront and dismantle the stigma surrounding mental illness, fostering open dialogue, understanding, and acceptance within communities.
Youth-Led Change
Young people are powerful agents of change and we equip them with education, funding, and guidance to lead mental health initiatives.
Community-Centered Impact
Creating meaningful, measurable impact within its community by supporting local initiatives and building supportive ecosystems.
Equitable Opportunity
Expanding access to transformational experiences, ensuring that financial or systemic barriers do not limit participation.