Happy 2012
 

History and Mission

"If you will just try, you can do what you set out to do."

~Mrs. Elva Sears Jones, Co-Founder, The Jones Foundation (1923-2009)
 
Elva Sears and Reid Sievers Jones
( Photograph from the 1940s )

The Reid S., Elva S., and Dr. Sonya L. Jones Educational Foundation, Inc. was founded by Mrs. Jones and Dr. Jones in August 2005 following the death of Mr. Jones in April of the same year.

Now in its sixth year of operation, The Jones Foundation has garnered a reputation for assisting the people of south central Kentucky with educational and spiritual goals.

When Mrs. Jones passed away in October 2009, Dr. Jones set up The Elva S. Jones Memorial Fund followed by The Reid S. Jones Memorial Fund for Veterans. The Jones Foundation endowed The Elva S. Jones Scholarship in Teaching at Union College as well as a prize in education given each year to a graduating senior who demonstrates great promise for a career in education. The Jones Foundation also hosts the Jones Scholars program yearly at Slate Branch Retreat House.


Dr. Sonya Jones
President & CEO, The Jones Foundation

Following in the footsteps of her family, a family of educators, Dr. Sonya Jones earned a doctorate in interdisciplinary studies from Emory University. She rose through the ranks to senior professor of English and interdisciplinary studies at Allegheny College from which she took early retirement in the year 2000 to return to her native Kentucky. She currently teaches in the Honors Program at the University of Kentucky and serves as Trustee and Distinguished Alumni Scholar at Union College.

The Jones family forms a triple legacy at Union where Dr. Jones was elected to the Educators Hall of Fame. Dr. Jones also serves as Retreat Master at Slate Branch Retreat Ashram, home of Adishraddha or Sacred Feet Yoga. From June 24-July 5, 2010, Dr. Jones received "The Five Teachings" for Sacred Feet Yoga, and she has developed a three-year program for Sacred Feet Yoga teacher certification. Also an organic gardner at heart, Dr. Jones teaches internationally. She is the author of numerous books and papers, and her text entitled Jesus Was a Shaktipat Guru is scheduled to launch the Sacred Feet publishing wing soon.

Schedule of Activities

Ongoing Sundays, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Open meditation session in Shraddha Loka with tea and conversation in Slate Branch House Amrit from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. 
 
March 22-April 24  Dr. Jones teaches "Transcending Cultural Turbulence:  The Impact of Eastern Religions on Western Culture," an OSHER seminar hosted by the Shambhala Buddhist Meditation Center, Lexington, KY.
 
April 28-29   Sacred Feet Yoga Retreat, "The 4th Teaching," lead by Dr. Jones, retreat master, and Mike Kavich (Phap Y), associate retreat master.
 
June 4-8  Jones Scholars Leadership Academy at Slate Branch Retreat House lead by Dr. Jones and Cheryl Godsey Love.
 
June 8  Fifth Annual Healthy Foods Day.
 
August 11-12  Sacred Feet Yoga Retreat, "The 5th Teaching," lead by Dr. Jones, retreat master.
 
October 5-7  Dr. Jones teaches the "Sacred Energies" workshop at Shambhala Mountain Center, Colorado.