By Natnal Weldselase
At TLT – Tomorrow’s Leaders Today, Inc., we believe that every young person can make a difference in their community and has the potential to provide leadership. Our mission is to prepare students with experiences and skills for future success through education and mentorship-based programs implemented using collaboration. With a special concentration on underserved and economically disadvantaged communities, it is the commitment of TLT to transform youth into confident and capable leaders who create the future.
Real-Life Experience Shaping Leaders
What really sets TLT’s programs apart, however, is our focus on life skills. Each of our programs is specifically designed to teach leadership, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and civic responsibility to young people. From classroom-based lessons to hands-on community service projects, TLT’s approach ensures that participants leave with practical knowledge that prepares them for success in both their careers and their communities.
Programs That Make an Impact
Our programs accommodate the needs of young people from the 5th grade through adulthood, offering a wide range of opportunities to develop leadership at all levels. For example, the Youth Leadership Academy can serve 5th-12th-grade students on a weekly basis in developing leadership skills. In so doing, the students learn valuable life lessons about teamwork, communication, and integrity while working on a community service project that develops a sense of responsibility and belonging.
TLT Kids Serve was one of the newer programs developed to include younger participants who were going to be involved from grades 5th-9th in volunteer projects in concert with local nonprofits. Older students lead their peers by organizing and leading these projects, gaining valuable confidence and key leadership skills.
This internship program at Leading Leaders provides the work exposure needed to let young adults with career interests engage in work specifically tailored to their desired career aspirations. This program carries immeasurable professional development with a tight student-mentor relationship.
Empowerment of the Underserved
Since its inception, TLT has targeted its services toward the low and moderate-income communities. As of December 2023, 59.26% of our participants come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, which serves to underscore our commitment to closing the opportunity gap. Providing access to leadership training, education, and community engagement is very important for young people who may be at a disadvantage otherwise.
We have programs, such as Unlocking the Future, that prepare 5th-10th-grade participants with the needed tools for higher education and career readiness. Certain aspects of the program include small group discussions, interactive hands-on activities, and presentations regarding opportunities in their local communities. This is all in the development of leadership and soft skills, which are core elements in personal and professional development.
Veterans and Leadership Opportunities
TLT specifically takes pride in collaborating with veterans who wish to continue their leadership through the mentorship of upcoming generations. Veterans are able to participate as a mentor and utilize their vast knowledge with youths, or participate in our internship program.
Empowering A Better Future
TLT’s programs have much deeper and wider impacts than on those participants alone. As we empower young leaders, we are building strong, resilient communities that may better face challenges that tomorrow and the future hold. Our focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging allows all participants to feel valued and empowered to continue contributing to their communities in meaningful ways.
Whether that is leading a community project, gaining real-world work experience, or simply learning to collaborate effectively with others, TLT alumni leave our programs with the skills and confidence to make a lasting impact.
We at TLT believe that each young person has the potential to be a leader. We have made it our mission to enable these youths to live their potentials, one classroom lesson, one community project, and one leadership opportunity at a time.ssroom lesson, one community project, and one leadership opportunity at a time.