A Palm Beach County high school senior was recognized this week for overcoming academic and personal challenges and demonstrating leadership through a youth mentoring program.
Craig Goldenfarb, founder and CEO of GOLDLAW, presented Ernecia Littlejohn with the 2026 Coach Fox “I CAN” Award on Tuesday during a ceremony at the firm’s West Palm Beach office. The honor included a $1,000 scholarship funded by the law firm.
Littlejohn, a senior and mentee in the Hope Dealer Mentoring Program run by Inner City Innovators, shared her story during the ceremony, which was attended by family members, mentors and staff from both organizations.
The Coach Fox Resilience Award recognizes a Hope Dealer mentee who demonstrates commitment to the organization’s core values of resilience, empathy, authenticity and leadership. The award also highlights participants who embody the program’s anti-violence principles of being SAFE — being smart about who they surround themselves with, alert to their surroundings, fearless about leaving dangerous situations and engaged in efforts to end gun violence in their communities.
Littlejohn joined the mentoring program in 2024 while facing academic and personal challenges. Raised in a single-parent household, she entered the program academically behind by three grade levels.
Through mentoring and academic support, Littlejohn worked to close those gaps while rebuilding her confidence. During that time, she also stepped outside her comfort zone and earned a spot on the girls varsity flag football team at Palm Beach Gardens High School.
Littlejohn is now on track to graduate with the Class of 2026 and plans to attend Palm Beach State College in the fall to study pre-law.
She said she plans to use the $1,000 scholarship to open her first savings account as she prepares for college and future financial stability.
“We are honored to partner with Inner City Innovators to support young leaders like Ernecia,” Goldenfarb said. “Her story is proof that when mentorship meets determination, transformation follows. She represents the resilience and strength that Coach Fox stood for, and we are proud to help invest in her future.”
Inner City Innovators founder and executive director Ricky Aiken said Littlejohn’s journey reflects the impact of the Hope Dealer Mentoring Program.
The award is named for Coach Fox, a mentor and community leader remembered for his work guiding young people and promoting leadership, resilience and unity in the community.
Program leaders say Littlejohn’s progress reflects the type of transformation the initiative aims to foster among youth facing difficult circumstances.
This is a Hy-Lo News Staff Report.
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