The Heal Los Angeles Foundation is a charity born in the heart of Los Angeles as a direct response to the needs of the city’s most vulnerable communities. Founded in 2016 by Prince Jackson, Michael Jackson’s son, and his colleague John Muto, the initiative quickly evolved into a powerful platform supporting low-income children, families, and youth. The founders set out with a clear goal: to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. The organization’s slogan, “make that change,” embodies its core principle: aid must be effective, concrete, and sustainable. More at losangeles1.one.
A History of Making Change
Heal Los Angeles was established in 2016 as a student service organization at Loyola Marymount University by John Muto and Prince Jackson. Inspired by the philanthropic legacy of the late Michael Jackson, they aimed to uplift underserved communities in their hometown of Los Angeles. They were joined by 25 fellow students who championed the mission. In its first five semesters, the organization raised over $150,000 to support local charities focused on combating homelessness, child abuse, and hunger.
After graduating, the founders recognized the organization’s potential for even greater impact and made the decision to transition Heal LA into an official nonprofit foundation. During this transformation, the mission was refined: the Heal Los Angeles Foundation now concentrates on improving the lives of young Angelenos by creating programs that help them achieve their dreams and develop essential life skills. The foundation’s main pillars are self-care and education. Under this umbrella, the organization designs programs that teach youth how to prioritize their well-being, develop leadership abilities, hone critical thinking, and build crucial social skills. The founders’ early efforts received public acclaim, with Prince Jackson being awarded the Motif Lifetime Medal of Honor in 2018 for his charitable projects and community influence.
Ambassadors of the Foundation
The Heal Los Angeles Foundation actively collaborates with artists, public figures, and media personalities who use their platforms to champion the foundation’s charitable programs.
The list of foundation ambassadors includes Prince Jackson, John Muto, Paris Jackson, Chris Tucker, Omer Bhatti, Liam McEwan, and others. Their high-profile involvement amplifies the foundation’s message, draws media attention, and helps scale up the assistance provided.
Key Charitable Programs
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the foundation stepped up as a prominent volunteer hub in the city. After expanding its partnership with Fresh N Lean and Gospel Mission Baptist Church, Heal LA provided over 5,000 meals, reaching approximately 800 households impacted by the pandemic’s economic fallout. It also organized food deliveries for doctors, nurses, and staff at local hospitals. This effort stands as a powerful example of how a local grassroots initiative can serve as a vital source of social support during times of crisis.
The foundation regularly organizes educational programs, sports and cultural activities, and an annual pre-Thanksgiving turkey giveaway for low-income families. In 2020, in collaboration with the Los Angeles Police Baseball Foundation, the organization distributed toys, educational supplies, and support to children in inner-city neighborhoods.
Heal Los Angeles Foundation also launched the Career Day initiative—a series of events for children and their parents that introduces them to various professions and career paths. The goal is to provide youth with resources and guidance for their future. In 2024, the foundation teamed up with Charitybuzz for a major auction, featuring a coveted walk-on role in the upcoming “Michael” biopic as one of the lots.
The SMILE Program, which stands for Supporting Minds with Inspiration, Love, and Encouragement, offers an innovative and holistic approach to fostering children’s mental health and emotional well-being. The program blends the therapeutic practices of yoga and mindfulness, led by specialists from Strong, Calm + Playful, with the support and emotional comfort of therapy dogs from Sundog Therapy. Together, these elements create a unique environment that promotes students’ development, self-discovery, and emotional resilience. The SMILE Program equips children with practical tools to overcome daily challenges, enhances self-awareness, and improves their ability to cope with stressful situations. With a core focus on self-care practices and building healthy relationships, the comprehensive curriculum teaches children effective self-support strategies, helps them prioritize their own mental health, and fosters a sense of responsibility toward themselves and others. As part of the SMILE Program, students interact with therapy dogs from Sundog Therapy, allowing them to form positive relationships with animals and peers. This interaction helps them develop social skills, empathy, coordination, expand cognitive abilities, and acquire valuable life skills. An experienced occupational therapist leads the class, ensuring personalized support and an individualized approach to every child throughout the learning curriculum.
Signature Fundraising Events
One of the foundation’s best-known annual initiatives is “Thriller Night”—a major Halloween charity party held at the legendary Jackson family estate in Encino. The funds raised benefit the Heal Los Angeles Foundation, the Dee Dee Jackson Foundation, and the LA Police Baseball Foundation.
In recent years, the Jackson family has actively demonstrated a unique blend of creativity, family tradition, and philanthropy through these one-of-a-kind events, with the themed “haunted house” being a particular draw. In 2019, Prince Jackson teamed up with his brother Bigi to transform the family estate into an immersive Halloween venue. Family members and close friends participated, fostering an atmosphere of warmth and interactive entertainment. In 2020, the event transitioned to a hybrid format due to pandemic restrictions. Attendees included foundation ambassadors and other Jackson family members, as well as artist Omarion, who gave a virtual performance.
In 2021, Bigi and Taj Jackson updated the haunted house design. Guests were given access to the Legacy Room, where they could view Michael Jackson’s original costumes from the iconic “Thriller” and “Ghosts” music videos, alongside a collection of the singer’s awards, adding a layer of historical significance and intrigue to the atmosphere.
In 2022, the Jackson family marked the 40th anniversary of the “Thriller” album. They established a special “Man in the Mirror” award, honoring Chris Tucker and Steve Harvey for their charitable work. The event was attended by Paris Jackson, Bigi Jackson, and actress and singer Vanessa Hudgens. Over the past few years, the Jackson family has consistently supported creative and charitable initiatives, turning traditional family events into large-scale cultural and artistic affairs.
The Heal Los Angeles Foundation is a modern charitable organization that effectively connects Michael Jackson’s legacy with the current needs of the Los Angeles community. Over the years, the foundation has grown from a small student initiative into an influential structure that supports youth education, food security, career development, and assistance for families in crisis.