The Jordan Michael Filler Foundation

OUR HISTORY

Jordan Michael Filler was a bright, passionate, energetic 23-year-old son, brother, scholar, athlete and friend to many when he lost his life to the disease of substance use in January, 2014. Jordan did not choose to live a life ravaged by opioids. Jordan did not choose to become substance use’s victim nor its poster boy. Jordan wanted to live a vital life and accomplish positive change in the world.

Despite Jordan’s best efforts, however, Substance Use Disorder is an illness that does not discriminate. It afflicts rich, poor, young, old, highly educated and the barely literate with equal vigor, and it is as virulent as it is deadly. Opioids, in particular, are so destructive that they now claim more victims annually than guns and traffic accidents combined.

As Jordan waged battled his battle against opioids, there existed little public education, few treatment options, and a great amount of stigma. Lives were lost, in part, for lack of these critical resources and due to shame involved in seeking help.

In the wake of Jordan’s passing, the Filler Family knew that change was needed in order to help save other youth and young adults from suffering Jordan’s devastating fate. To do that, the Fillers looked to Jordan for guidance.  Like so many others who had battled the disease of Substance Use Disorder, Jordan often spoke of both the need to educate youth on the dangers of substance use, and the availability of effective local treatment options.  Jordan believed that each of these offerings would help provide for more positive outcomes.

Accordingly, the Filler Family created the Jordan Michael Filler Foundation (JMFF), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to saving young lives, families and futures from the perils of Substance Use Disorder, in honor of Jordan’s life and legacy. Established in January, 2014, the Filler Foundation works diligently to help change the global landscape of Substance Use Disorder. Our lifesaving initiatives include placing best-in-class, evidence-based educational programs in our schools, funding access to care, partnering with Chicago’s renowned Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital to initiate the Midwest’s first and only state-of-the-art Adolescent Mental Health and Substance Use Prevention (SUPP) facility, improving HIPAA legislation to allow for enhanced notification for at-risk youth, and providing the critically-needed overdose reversal medication Naloxone to first responders and individuals in need.  Most recently, JMFF has began discussions with the Park District of Highland Park, IL, where plans are being developed to construct a new, lighted public basketball facility that will be home to leagues, skills/development clinics, competitions, and family learning opportunities.  Physical activity was one of Jordan’s passions, and is proven to reduce the incidence of substance use. Working together, with family, friends and community, we are making a difference and helping to keep youth safe

No matter how difficult the task, JMFF will ALWAYS work to make a difference, and we will never give up our mission to raise awareness, end the stigma, and save all of our children from Substance Use Disorder.

Events

Funding from JMFF events directly supports our ongoing mission to save lives, families and futures from the perils of Substance Use Disorder. We take great pride in donating a near record-setting 95% of all receipts directly to our initiatives at Lurie Children’s, in our schools, and in advocating for enhanced lifesaving efforts and opportunities for all.