The Foundation Teen Center

The Foundation recently celebrated their Grand Opening of the Teen Center Grand on January 6th. Their mission is to prepare a solid foundation for youth to architect their future while restoring the foundation of those reintegrating back to the community from incarceration. They focus on education, recreation, holistic healing, community resources, and reintegration support. Collaborating with key partners, they ensure that their programs, such as Insight to Foresight are tailored to the needs of the youth they serve.

Insight to Foresight, a 10-week immersive course designed to empower young adults with essential life skills for success in the real world. The Teen Center, located at 2818 E Fourth Plain, also provides a safe space for youth to hang out and find activities after school.

Lester himself was an at-risk and court-involved youth. Upon his release, his now good friend Brett Henry offered him the opportunity for him to become his assistant coach for Evergreen High School. After Lester accepted the role, his journey working with youth hasn't stopped. He added value to the program as an inspiration to the youth. They gravitated to his authentic leadership and mentorship. Some of the players he used to coach actively participate in Teen Center events.

A piece of advice Lester gives to his youth is, "Who they believe they are today is who they will be at 40 years old." It’s not only important to have big dreams and goals for yourself, but also to truly believe in themselves and build the courage every day to act on the person they want to be because they are already that person they envision.

Lester's goal is to continue walking with the community and understanding the challenges youth face from different aspects to best assist them.