It takes a community to lift people up and we hope that you will join ours to better our world and bring opportunity to those with big dreams.
About Maya
This magical, adventurous woman dedicated her professional life to making a difference in our world. Travelling to underdeveloped countries in many continents, Maya certified exported products as Fair Trade compliant. Visiting the workers in the field, factories and villages, Maya assured that workers were receiving fair wages, health benefits, and access to educational and child care opportunities.
Later, as Director of Innovation, Maya would establish new product categories, develop them and then hand them off for further growth to product directors.
Anyone who knew Maya knows she bought only natural products, loved yoga, dancing, meditation, music and most of all her children, close friends and family.
Maya Spaull Johnsen was a dreamer from the time she was a little girl. She dedicated her life to positive thinking and high expectations for joy and energy. Her last wishes included offering an opportunity for others to think big, dream large and reach their potential. The Dream Fund is intended to honor Maya's legacy as it might provide for the grantee a chance to get started; to take away any small barriers that prevent the reality from coming true. Perhaps it provides a chance to travel, a life choice Maya embraced, or an is opportunity for important training or a chance to give back to the community. The grants will range from $500 - $2000 and will be reviewed by Maya's beloved family members including her daughter Gemma Rose, who at age 8, is already a dreamer.
About the Dream Fund
In the fall of 2023, a special room that honors quiet thinking at the Center for Youth’s Bridge to Peace building was dedicated to Maya. The Center for Youth in Rochester New York serves over 30,000 youths with shelter, housing and crisis services as well as in-school based programming.
With the chaos and noise facing our young people, this “place of peace” provides a safe and respectful environment with a natural growing wall, nest chairs, and yoga equipment reflecting Maya’s own dedication to peace.