Leon Powe Partners with Bay Area Nonprofit Strive For___
Leon Powe has partnered with strive for___, a nonprofit that connects mentors with Bay Area foster children.
Oakland Native and professional basketball player Leon Powe has partnered with strive for___, a dream‐building nonprofit that connects mentors with youth in foster care in the San Francisco Bay area. A former foster youth himself, Mr. Powe credits his relationship with a close mentor for much of his success. strive for___ is proud to have Mr. Powe as a spokesman and Advisory Board member. By speaking about his own experiences with foster care, mentorship, and achievement, he will inspire foster youth to dream big and work hard.
strive for___ asks youth in foster care (ages 12‐17), “What do you strive for___?” and then provides the guidance that is essential to achieving dreams – mentorship. The organization’s mission is to ensure that all foster youth in San Francisco have access to high quality mentorship. Inspired by their dreams, Strivers (foster youth) collaborate with Believers (mentors) to change the course of their lives.
Whether in high school or on the Cal court, Mr. Powe has set numerous records in an impressive basketball career that includes an NBA championship with the Celtics in 2008. Drafted by Denver, Mr. Powe has played in Boston, Cleveland, and Memphis, but returns to the Bay area to tell youth his story and to host basketball camps that offer them a chance to pursue their goals.
Mr. Powe’s message stresses the temporary nature of foster care and the long term promise of mentorship. As Strivers, youth are able to focus their energies on what they can control – their futures beyond foster care. Although being in foster care is an integral part of a Striver’s identity, it’s not the whole story. Mr. Powe truly believes that his experiences as a teen in foster care have shaped him into the person he is today. “The Strivers can look to me as an example and know that they have the potential for success,” said Powe. “I’ve experienced what they are going through, and I’m proof that anything is possible.”
Indeed, strive for___ knows that the strong, enduring connections Strivers cultivate with their Believers will sustain them through the difficulties of leaving foster care and transitioning into adulthood on their own. Strivers come to know other youth in foster care and the adults who will become their trusted guides through an initial phase of group mentoring and e‐mentoring. Once relationships are forged, Strivers work one‐on‐one with one or more mentors to design a plan for achievement.
To learn more about strive for___, go to www.strivefor.org. strive for___ is a fiscally sponsored project of the Study Center, a tax‐exempt 501(c)3 with over 30 years of local experience.
strive for___ Contact:
Dennis Lyandres
dlyandres@strivefor.
Category : Blog
