Non-profits like LalaForever matter because they fill in the gaps where many children often fall through. Not every child has a stable home life. All children need encouragement or someone who believes in them. These organizations provide hope and safety. Kids are made aware that there are people who will show up. For many kids facing difficult circumstances, having just one consistent person can change the trajectory of their life. Wonderful non-profits like LaLaForever remind children that they are seen and valued. That is something every child deserves.
If I could create a program under the LalaForever name, it would be called “Lead Team” This program would focus on mentoring boys who are considered at-risk or who lack positive male role models. The goal would be to teach life skills. We would help them to build confidence and create a wonderful sense of purpose while holding them accountable. It would include weekly meetings where boys could participate in activities and discuss the struggles they are facing in their every day life. We could have group discussions and mentor conversations. There would also be time set aside to set goals as worked to build relationships and show these kids that we genuinely care about them.
This program would mean a lot to me because I have personally seen the impact that mentorship and consistency can have on youth. Through leading a Guys’ Bible Study and working with at-risk youth at a YMCA camp, I have learned that kids don’t just need instruction. They need someone to care and invest in them. I have seen how showing up consistently, even when only a few are present, can lead to meaningful conversations. These wonderful experiences have created a desire to continue working with youth in the my future.
If I were forming the “Lead Team,” I would focus on consistenly building wonderful relationships. I would create an environment where the boys felt safe and respected while also knowing they would be challenged to do their best and achieve their goals. I would recruit mentors who lead by example and understand the importance of patience and showing up. The program would partner with local courts, schools, and other organizations to identify students who could benefit the most. I would also include opportunities for the boys to serve others. I think that learning to give back would build purpose.
Ultimately, this program would be about more than activities. It would be about changing attitudes and their frame of minds. Every child deserves the chance to believe that their life has meaning. Programs like this are are truly wonderful opportunities to invest in the next generation and help children become who they were created to be.
