Tomorrow’s Leaders, a local non-profit, is hoping to expand their efforts to reach more of Lubbock’s youth by adding new educational components, a building and vans for transportation.
Tomorrow’s Leaders started seven years ago and teaches kids about drugs, bullying and making good decisions through different activities.
“We make ourselves available to talk to these kids throughout the year,” Co-founder Noe Brito said. “We encourage them, challenge them, say stay in school, stay focused, do right.”
The program works with 84 fifth graders from five LISD schools. Principals of those schools refer kids to the program who may need mentoring.
Brito knows the effect good mentoring can have on a child, he’s been a drug counselor for 25 years.
“This is a vicious cycle that is a generational curse in most families so we’re trying to interrupt that and we’ve really done well,” Brito said.
The program started out only focusing on boys, three years ago they added a girls program. Dianna Mcalister, a school counselor, works with the girls and said fifth grade is the age were mentors can still make a difference.
“To make better decisions through middle school and hopefully get more education and have a better chance at not getting involved in things like drugs and other things they can get involved in that can hurt their situation,” Mcalister said.
Through grants and community support Tomorrow’s Leaders is hoping to add a building and vans to transport the kids to different activities.
“To see it go on beyond when we’re gone,” Co-founder Michael Goen said. “To see the next generation continue it and hopefully continue that funding and community support that’s been there now and just continue to see that grow.”
Click here if you’re interested in becoming a mentoring or donating to Tomorrow’s Leaders.
