The Justin Carr Wants World Peace Foundation (JCWWP), a 501(c)(3) organization, was established in honor and memory of Justin Carr, a young Renaissance man who wanted world peace and who loved the visual and performing arts. On February 22, 2013, at the age of 16, he died suddenly during swim practice at his school. Justin had an undiagnosed heart condition (cardiomyopathy), which resulted in his Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA).
Inspired by the blueprints he left to follow, JCWWP promotes Justin’s plans for Art, Heart & Peace through various education programs, mentorships, scholarships, heart screenings, and heart health awareness platforms.
Justin wrote the following on his Junior Year Questionnaire in 2013:
“One goal that I am sure I want to achieve is to give back and share my talents. I want to be able to give back to those less fortunate than me by creating an afterschool program in neighborhoods where kids are not exposed to the visual and performing arts allowing them to have another outlet to be expressive.” In 11th grade, Justin started the “Dare 2 Dream” Saturday Art and Math Tutoring Program at an underserved elementary school. He recruited his high school peers to volunteer. JCWWP continues to provide free art programs for K- 8 th grade students.
Justin had a big heart and always reached out to help the underdog. When he died unexpectedly from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), he was a seemingly healthy 6’3″, active young man. The aftermath of his untimely death led his parents, Darrell Carr and Susan Toler Carr, on a mission to educate youth, parents, educators, sports professionals, and medical providers about SCA warning signs and risk factors to help eliminate preventable deaths. SCA is the leading cause of death in the U.S., taking the lives of 356,000 people annually. JCWWP provides heart screenings and health awareness programs to help eliminate SCA tragedies from impacting families and communities.
When Justin was 4-years old, he prayed for world peace. When he was 9-years old, he wrote a letter during the holidays: “Dear Santa, All I want for Christmas is World Peace.” At the Celebration of his life services, Justin’s father, Darrell Carr, challenged everyone to realize Justin’s dream to achieve world peace—starting with one smile at a time, helping someone, or even including marginalized people in your circle. JCWWP provides workshops, webinars, and community events to educate parents, youth, young adults, and communities on nurturing and promoting peace. JCWWP uses the Ceeds of Peace model for creating peacebuilders.
Artist Gary Lett (@artbygaryvincentlett) created the JCWWP logo. It depicts a silhouette of Justin making the peace sign recreated from a picture his father, Darrell Carr, took of him at a USC football game. Justin’s actual signature is below the image.