Today we’d like to introduce you to Lanita Lucas.
Lanita, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
PUSH was an “idea in the making” over the course of several years. I remember thinking how I’d hear kids say what careers they were interested in, and wondering how many ever spoke to someone in that profession or knew what people in those jobs really did. Even when my own son was in elementary school, his career-day choices were limited to what he knew within our household. I thought how crazy it was that I worked at a large company with hundreds of different jobs, yet he only really spoke about the jobs directly associated with what his dad did. It was at that point where the inspiration started. I thought…If I had all of these connections but never really exposed my kids to any of them (even though I could), what must other kids who didn’t have the same opportunities be limited to. I thought about it but didn’t act… until a faithful day when I shared my feelings out loud. I received some sound advice. I reached out to a rather large company to see if they would be interested in having someone speak to a group of kids… when they agreed (without hesitation), that was all I needed! Everything has just been progressing from there.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It definitely has not been smooth. For every “Yes” I received, there were probably a dozen variations of “No.” People loved the concept of helping kids, but not everyone was willing or able to share their personal time. I’d mentally question my sanity each time I held an event and wonder why I put myself through the stress. I’d have no-shows, last-minute event changes, broken promises, and would have to beg kids to come to the first few events. But when I remembered the WHY behind the efforts, it was all the drive I needed to keep going. I remember one parent telling me after the first event that she actually cried and was appreciative that her kids were able to be involved in the experience. Once the word got out, I’d have repeat participants who would bring their friends with them. Those same kids became PUSH ambassadors and each of them are the reason I continue doing what I do.
Please tell us about the P.U.S.H.
P.U.S.H., which stands for, Pushing Upward; Striving Higher, was created to provide teens and pre-teens with career readiness education, networking opportunities, and face-time with experts in their fields of interest. We host mock interviews, resume writing and life skills sessions. We also provide reoccurring sessions for a local high school.
During our hosted events, the older PUSH Ambassadors are able to get hands-on experience coordinating, hosting, and leading discussions for the younger participants.
P.U.S.H. stresses the need for the kids to understand the importance of giving back. We’ve partnered with various local nonprofit organizations to allow the kids the opportunity to volunteer.
I’ll tell you, the thing that makes me most proud is when I see the kids doing great things in school/ in the community, or when kid-participants come back as adult volunteers. Words cannot express how proud that makes me.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I think every struggle was worth it. I appreciate the good because of those earlier struggles. I don’t think I’d change a thing. My family has supported my efforts since day one and any challenges are smaller when you have such a wide net of support.
That support includes the best team anyone could ask for! If I had a vision, they executed it beyond anything I could have imagined alone.
So nope, no changes, I’m just thankful.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.PUSH1.org
- Instagram: 1Push_
- Facebook: @1PushEvents
Image Credit:
Select photos: Linda Mills Photography
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