While only 18 when he died tragically in a traffic accident, Jacob J Nyenhuis was a young man of deep faith, big dreams and genuine compassion. He had already begun a real estate business and was planning to study real estate development at the University of Georgia. Jacob dreamed of one day owning a large development company, which he would call "J9 Development."

"J9" was shorthand for his name: the J from Jacob and 9 from Nyenhuis (pronounced nine-hice).

Along with his company, Jacob envisioned a charitable foundation to support work that he thought would make a difference in the lives of the poor, oppressed and suffering. He told his father that one day he would hire him to run the foundation.

Jacob died Sept. 24, 2006. Two months later, family and friends founded The J9 Foundation to carry on Jacob's vision. As Jacob had planned, his father now serves as the executive director.