We had the good fortune of connecting with Jo Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jo, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I own my own Real Estate Company in Arizona. That being said this “business”, Jacob’s Hope is a non-profit that I started in memory of my son Jacob Jones.

What should our readers know about your business?
Jacob’s Hope is the first clinic to be opened in Arizona to serve families with NAS (Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome) infants. We are modeled after the Pediatric Interim Care Center in Kent, Washington. When we lost Jake in 2014 I was given a book written by the director of PICC, Barbara Drennen. After serving on the Arizona Supreme Court’s Foster Care Review Board for sixteen years I knew the need for a clinic like Barb’s in Arizona. I flew to Washington, met with Ms. Drennen and came back to Arizona with the intent to open a facility like hers. It has taken seven years working with different government agencies and remodeling a building to open. Jacob’s Hope is in memory of our son that was born in 1988 to a mother that was using meth. There are many more resources now to be able to help these babies thrive. Our goal here is to help families learn therapeutic care techniques to help these precious infants.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would suggest eating at the Blue Adobe in Mesa for authentic New Mexican food. For a lunch I would take them to either Sassy’s , Flancers or Worth Take Away. All local businesses. Nice day trips would include the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, the Musical Instrument Museum and kayaking down the Salt River to see the beauty of nature: including the opportunity to see out wild horses.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My son, Jacob Jones. His brief life had a great impact on those around him. He was a wonderful, brilliant, kind and charismatic son. He served his country with four years in the army. One tour in Iraq.

Website: WWW.JacobsHopeAZ.org

Instagram: instagram@jacobshopeaz

Linkedin: Jo (Donato) Jones

Facebook: Jacob’s Hope Inc.

Image Credits
Permission given by Cruz’s Grandmother (mema) Bev Jake Jones Jake Jones Jo Jones

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