What is Jonathan Tucker's The Pegasus Fund? Here's how 'Debris' star is helping vulnerable kids with education
Jonathan Tucker is one of the most renowned actors in the television industry and has worked on a lot of high-end projects. Tucker started his career in 1994 with a movie called ‘Troublemakers’ and soon made his appearance on TV shows after his feature film debut. He has appeared in various hit TV shows like ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’, ‘Philly’, ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’, ‘Person of Interest’ and ‘Hannibal’ in his illustrious career.
Now, he is ready to enthrall viewers with his upcoming show titled ‘Debris’. The series will be premiering exclusively on NBC and also stars Riann Steele as the main female lead. The series revolves around two law enforcement agents from different continents who need to work together to protect an unknown alien technology from the bad guys.
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Apart from being an actor, Tucker is also the founder of a non-profit organization called The Pegasus Fund. Here's a look at why he founded the organization and how it helps children from vulnerable communities to get what they deserve.
What is The Pegasus Fund?
Started in 2006, The Pegasus Fund is the only non-profit organization in the United States of America that focuses primarily on the issues all the underprivileged students face when they get themselves admitted to private secondary school, especially the non-academic challenges.
It all started when a small, dedicated band of Thacher School alumni, came together passionate about managing resources to accomplish a goal. Since its inception, the organization has helped a lot of children over the years. The fund has attracted supporters from networks like The Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP), The Four Winds/Westward Ho Camp and The Thacher School.
While talking about the fund, Tucker previously said that The Pegasus Fund collaborates with many non-profit organizations that are doing exceptional work in the field of education and he has found a way to bring them together to work for the betterment of the children.
Tucker said: “I think there’s a lot more room out there for groups like us to kind of help with communication. If you can figure out a way to have these different successful organizations talk to each other and you can be a small part of that communication I think you end up saving a lot of money, a lot of bureaucracy, and really helping people.”
How did the fund come into inception?
Many underprivileged kids in the US are exposed to various kinds of difficulties. From domestic violence and personal loss to chronic insecurity and disruptions, these kids from vulnerable communities have shown a lot of bizarre characteristics when they enter the classroom.
According to a report by The Education Policy and Leadership Center (EPLC), these students show traumatic stress while entering school. The stress does not let the children go on the right path and has other profound effects on the developing brain.
Tucker and some of his friends thought of doing something for the children from the underprivileged communities. They started the fund and to maximize results, the fund started the work by eliminating bureaucracy and waste of resources by getting in touch with established, successful institutions. They worked with school administrators and faculties in the underprivileged communities and identify all the top-performing students graduating from the fifth grade.
The fund also helps the students in addressing all the personal challenges that arise when they start to commit themselves to take part in secondary schools.
Tucker and his team have helped hundreds of children from vulnerable communities to attend summer camps for three consecutive summers to let them know about the entire process. Tucker is really proud of his team and what they have achieved over the years. “It is one of the most important things I have done in my life and it allows me to sleep when nights are loud.”
Tucker’s upcoming show, ‘Debris’, will premiere exclusively on NBC on March 1.