Today we’d like to introduce you to Lori Salierno-Maldonado.
Lori, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
In 1995, I was invited to speak at an inner-city school in Florida with three thousand kids. When I got up to speak, before I said my first word, they cursed at me and shouted foul names. They gave me the finger and the guys told me what they wanted to do to me after the assembly, and it freaked me out. I don’t know what I said, but for forty-five minutes I spoke to those kids and it was horrific.
I had gang members coming toward me; the principal did nothing. When it was over, I had a conversation with my best friend and said I wouldn’t mind if I never have to do that again. The principal later challenged me, saying that if I really wanted to make a difference, I should find a way to truly impact the teens with more than just an encouraging message.
So, in 1996, with a small group of people, we took our passion and got to work to create a character-based leadership mentor program called Teach One to Lead One®.
Has it been a smooth road?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, and I would say the greatest struggle continues to be increasing resources. Numerous schools want and need the program, but the funding isn’t always available.
In the summer of 2012, in pursuit of raising awareness and resources for the kids, I set out on my bicycle to ride 3,284 miles coast to coast. It was called Challenge the Cycle and we were able to raise $180,430 and impact 6,014 at-risk kids.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Teach One to Lead One – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Teach One to Lead One® is a philosophy that was born out of the need to help young people turn away from destructive choices and adopt positive habits that will help them grow into responsible citizens. The philosophy is founded on three crucial elements: universal principles taught to young people in the context of healthy relationships between children and adult mentors with a spirit of adventure and celebration.
Specifically targeting young people in the public school and juvenile court systems, the Teach One to Lead One® program includes materials and personnel that equip youth to build lives of integrity, create positive relationships, stand strong in healthy habits and to multiply their influence among their peers. This program includes mentoring, powerful training aids, practical materials, exciting presentations, and hands-on activities.
One of the things that sets us apart is our ability to partner with the school during regular school hours and provide mentors who consistently invest in the students and use a curriculum that government officials have said is one of the best programs they’ve seen for combining mentorship with a solid curriculum.
I’m most proud of the overall influence we’ve had of over 35,000 students that received mentorship over the years in over 9 countries.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I like the people, weather and airport.
What I like least is the traffic and humidity.
Pricing:
- $30 will provide a kid with student materials
- $100 will provide a kid with long-term mentors
- $5,000 will start a new program in a new community
Contact Info:
- Address: 3104 Creekside Village Dr. NW Suite 303
Kennesaw, GA 30144 - Website: www.t1l1.org
- Phone: 770-529-7700
- Email: lori_maldonado@t1l1.org
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/Teach1Lead1
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/Teach1Lead1
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
