Today we’d like to introduce you to John Boersma.
Hi John, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Mission 26 was founded in 2023 by John Boersma, his wife Cristi, and their children Ty, Sadie, Hunter, and Wrigley. Growing up, I was heavily involved in sports, and during high school, I was asked to mentor a young man named Andy Stuitje, who was part of the special education program. At the time, I didn’t fully understand what mentoring entailed—I simply spent time with Andy, and he loved it! However, after a few years, it became clear that Andy was the one mentoring me, teaching me invaluable lessons about life.
Andy had an infectious love for life, deeply valuing friendships and always seeking to help others. Winning games or scoring points didn’t matter to him; what he cherished most was the connection and a big hug after the game. Inspired by this, I pursued a degree in special education and began a career dedicated to working with individuals with disabilities, primarily high school students. Over my 20 years of teaching, I’ve taught nearly every subject to students with a wide range of abilities.
Eight years ago, I transitioned to a career and technical education role, where I connect students with various career paths and equip them with the skills needed to succeed in those fields. In 2017, our family welcomed our fourth child, Wrigley, who was born a month early. Shortly after his birth, we learned that Wrigley has Down syndrome. While this news introduced us to uncharted waters, our love for him only grew stronger.
Wrigley has been an incredible blessing, not just to our family but to many others as well, with his zest for life. We often say, “everyone needs a little Wrigley sometimes.” Over the years, as a high school special education teacher, I frequently encountered parents who were anxious or uncertain about their child’s transition to adulthood and what the future might hold for them. This concern resonated deeply with me and planted the seed for what would become Mission 26.
Given my background in special education, career and technical education, and my personal experience as a parent of a child with Down syndrome, I realized it was time to create something meaningful. Mission 26 was born from the desire to help young adults with disabilities prepare for the workforce before they turn 26—the age at which many special education services end.
Our mission is to be a valuable resource and provide opportunities for young adults with disabilities who are eager to equip themselves with the skills and confidence needed for employment. We aim to support them in making a successful transition into the world of work, empowering them to lead fulfilling and independent lives.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I think originally I was a little naive when I first started our non profit thinking it would be easy. It definitely has been way more challenging than I ever anticipated but the rewards have been greater than the speed bumps. Some struggle in the beginning were just like any other business/non-profit: where will the money come from, worker insurance, transportation, vehicle insurance, time and personnel. We also rely heavily on good business partnerships and so creating these relationships so it is a win for both sides can be difficult.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I graduated with a special education teaching degree and received my Master’s in technology integration in the classroom. I have run special education programs at a few different high schools in West Michigan. For the past 9 years I have run a program at the Tech Center in Ottawa County where I help students explore a variety of careers through a lot of hands on learning. Over the past 20 years I have had many summer jobs, as any teacher does, that include roofing, siding, deck building, painting and tearing down boat engines. I have also had the opportunity to coach basketball, baseball and football at most all levels for 20 years. The past 3 years I also have had the opportunity to start Mission 26 and build it slowly and intentionally during the summer months. I am most proud of my family, their love for the Lord and their community is amazing to see, I love watching my kids grow up and take on new challenges. I do not think anything sets me apart from others really. I have never been one to overthink myself out of something, I would rather try it, do it and learn from it along the way!
How do you think about happiness?
What makes me happy is when I see young adults with disabilities find happiness and belonging in their community. I have seen the struggles for families when kids leave high school to find belonging and I would like Mission 26 to be a small answer to this difficult transition in families lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mission26.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550245525196
