The Joshua Metell Foundation

The story of the Josh Metell Foundation is encapsulated in the life and vision of the young man it is named after. Josh Metell was a teacher at Natchaug Elementary School in Willimantic, CT where he found great purpose impacting the lives of the community's youngest members. When CBS's Dan Rather did a nationally televised report highlighting the heroin epidemic in the community, the community grew discouraged. Josh's response to the report and it's affect gave birth to a vision to improve the community through service and facilitating activities that would encourage and empower community members. Josh began fulfilling this vision by starting an annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament. He invited guest speakers to attend the event and share words that would inspire, provide hope, and encourage positive personal change. The tournament quickly became a huge success as it rallied the community together and achieved it's goal.

Josh's life was tragically cut short when he died in a motorcycle accident. In the months after his death, the community that he had served approached both his family and church to ask them if they would continue the work he had begun. Their response was an overwhelming yes, and in the years that followed they continued to hold the basketball tournament and find other ways to serve the community. In 2015 the Josh Metell Foundation was established as a non-profit organization dedicated to carrying on Josh Metell's vision to improve communities in need. The Josh Metell 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament is now just one of many ways we seek to serve and inspire communities in need.

Here's what the Foundation accomplished in 2019...
- Donated $1,000 to Lighthouse Learning & Exploration Center
- Donated to the Matthew 6:33 Food Pantry
- Donated jackets, gloves and hats to students at Natchaug Elementary School
- Held the Joshua Metell 3on3 Classic basketball tournament in Willimantic, CT
- Held the Joshua Metell 3on3 Classic basketball tournament in Fall River, MA
- Participated in the Third Thursday Willimantic Street Fest
- Awarded the Josh Metell Positive Attitude Award to a deserving student at Natchaug Elementary School

If you gave to the Foundation, you were our partner in accomplishing these tasks and we thank you! If not, we invite you to partner with us. Every year we partner with more individuals, organizations, companies, churches, and community leaders to serve our community and facilitate events that will build up every community. You can partner with us by volunteering at one of our events or by making a tax deductible donation to the Josh Metell Foundation. Donations may be may be made by visiting the Donation page of this website. Feel free to Contact us for more information. Members of our Board of Directors are also available to visit with you or your organization to share more about Josh and the legacy that the foundation works to uphold.