Introducing the Teach One to Lead One Program

    Our community has a unique opportunity to participate in a program targeted for young people between the ages of 12-17 who are considered “at-risk” for graduating from high school and for making a positive contribution to society as adults. The program, called “Teach One to Lead One,” is comprised of twelve sessions, meeting every Tuesday after school.

     It was launched in February with the help of Pastor Steve Walker, Pastor Tom Buratovich and a team of trained mentors. This first team is comprised of volunteers who have had years of experience working with youth through the public school system or churches and who are passionate about them.

    Currently there are 15 junior and senior high students involved in the twelve week session. According to Pastor Tom, they have had good attendance and parental support. The students are beginning to catch the vision of becoming leaders for their peers as well as of their own children and families in the future.

     There are ten Bible-based universal principles which form the foundation of this program. According to the CEO and founder, Dr. Lori Salierno, these are fundamental for leading successful, fulfilled lives: integrity, humility, respect, self-control, courage, excellence, compassion, enthusiasm, teamwork and honor. The principals are universal and the curriculum is practical so that it can be used in the schools and justice system as well as in a church setting. It is interactive, providing opportunities for the adult mentors to get to know students and vice versa, and allowing close relationships to develop.   

      At the heart of the program is the belief that positive role models make a tremendous impact on the lives of children who come from troubled backgrounds. When the kids have the opportunity to learn about values such as integrity, honor and compassion and see those values demonstrated in the lives of their mentors, they become aware of their own potential and are motivated to change. The Teach One to Lead One program is a great way to break a negative cycle, the consequences of which we are experiencing in our society by increasing violence and crime rates.

      Parents are already starting to see some good results, commenting how their kids are listening better, being more obedient, doing homework and how their grades are improving. That should make teachers and school administrators very happy too! The folks who are volunteering to help as mentors or as sponsors of the program are making an invaluable investment in the lives of our young people.

        According to Dr. Salierno, “Teach One to Lead One is a powerful solution in the hands of caring adults who want to reach the next generation. In 2012, we equipped hundreds of adult mentors to positively impact the lives of thousands of our nation’s hurting kids. Their challenges are great; our fight for them must be greater.” Amen!

       For more information, see the website: www.t1l1.org or call Pastor Tom Buratovich at 784-3791.

       “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22: 6 NKJV

(published in the Porterville Recorder on April 12, 2014)