Lexington Leadership Foundation

Urban Impact & Woodhill Community Center (WCC) - This initiative includes several programs to empower youth to stay in school, develop confidence and self-respect, and become leaders. Collectively, these engage multiple partner agencies and volunteers impacting over 850 children and youth during 2022. Included are in-school group mentoring, as well as after-school programming at WCC and other partner sites. After-school sessions consist of reading, homework help, character development, life skills training, art and gym time. In addition, volunteers continued to host the Woodhill International Market from May-October, offering affordable fresh local produce to the neighborhood. Other volunteers and staff met with middle and high school groups for cooking club, drama club, futsal, and open gym times. Celebrations for high school graduates and college prep coaching continued for high school students in our network. A special emphasis was placed this year on youth ages 12 and up identified as being at greatest risk of being the victim of or perpetrating gun violence. These youth were enrolled in our newest effort, known as Leadership Academy, which provides extensive youth development programming through these five pillars: identity, education, discovery, service and exposure.

Fatherhood Initiative (FI) - This initiative began in October, 2011 following award of a grant from the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. Following conclusion of that grant in 2015, staff and board decided to continue the work, seeking funding from other sources. The goal of FI remains: to educate fathers and communities on responsible fatherhood practices and healthy relationships, and to promote economic stability among families. Small group curricula centered around these components is offered, as well as individual tracks for progress in recognition of each individual's circumstances being unique. FI partners with over 50 community and faith-based organizations to execute its partnership-driven model. During 2022, 240 fathers were served. Fathers are referred from local judicial and social service agencies, grass roots service providers including addiction recovery centers, and the community-at-large. Funding comes from corporate and individual sources, private foundations, and local government. The annual Father's Day community celebration was held, once again gathering hundreds to celebrate fathers and present educational resources to the community. Presentation of the 4th Annual Fatherhood Summit (a joint effort with the Commonwealth Center for Fathers and Families, CCFF) was held in the Fall, featuring national and state leaders in the field. This cooperative effort involving a broad base of service providers across the state has as its goal to promote, advocate, and educate the public about the impact of positive father involvement on child well-being. During 2021 and '22, LLF helped launch CCFF as an independent non-profit organization to further the work of father centric programming across the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Amachi Kentucky - Since 2004, the Amachi program has been providing one-to-one mentoring for children aged 6-16 affected by incarceration, poverty, and opioids. Children are matched with caring adult volunteers (mentors) who have committed to spend at least one hour per week with them. Mentors and mentees participate in a variety of positive, goal driven activities. Mentors are recruited from a broad spectrum across the community including businesses, faith groups, and the public at large. Volunteers undergo a thorough background check, including in-home visits and reference checks, and receive specialized training using Positive Youth Development methodology. Students are referred from local schools and social service agencies. During 2022, 190 matches were served. Funding for Amachi comes from a variety of sources, including sub-awarded federal funds, private foundations, corporate and individual support. Included in 2022 revenue are two sub-awards to the Amachi program, each being projects of the Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Prevention. Those awards included Knoxville Leadership Foundation's Opioid Affected Youth Initiative ($110,612), and Youth Collaboratory's Mentoring Plus project ($55,768).

Prayer Initiative - Includes operation of the Prayer Room, designed to foster intimacy with Jesus and mobilize intercessory worship throughout the Body of Christ in Lexington. People from over 40 congregations gather weekly in the space, along with many individuals who use the space on an ad-hoc basis.

Commonwealth Center for Fathers & Families - LLF acted as the fiscal agent for this new organization as it awaited official approval from the IRS to operate as a 501(c)3 organization. CCFF developed a strategic plan with the following initial priorities: 1. Increase awareness through an annual summit, offering training and technical assistance to direct service providers. 2. Establish father-centric programs and policies across child and family service providers. 3. Evaluation, reporting, and identification of existing programs and data collection. 4. Develop and resource regional outposts for Fatherhood program delivery.