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MISSION
Sky’s The Limit Community Foundation( STLCF) was established to provide
financial support, leadership, career, athletic and life counseling to
underprivileged goal-oriented youth and young adults between the ages of 12-30
or organizations with the purpose of combating juvenile delinquency and
community deterioration.
MESSAGE
“Plan,
Prepare, Pursue + Faith & Actions = Positive Outcomes”
PHILOSOPHY
“Let your
light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your
Father which is in Heaven” Matt.5:16
OVERVIEW
STLCF is a Michigan Domestic Nonprofit Corporation founded in June 2005 and
organized in March 2008 where our motto is “Why Not.” STLCF is designed to be
the solution to increasing literacy in reading and math, grade point averages,
graduation rates, scholarship rates, college enrollment rates, employment rates,
and Decreasing the drop out and crime rates among youth and young adults between
the ages of 12 – 30 in the Pontiac School District and surrounding areas by
providing a safe and clean positive productive teaching and learning environment
and the means necessary for our youth and young adults to succeed.
In our efforts to accomplish this, STLCF is eagerly anticipating a
partnership with the School District of the City of Pontiac in order to
implement our programs in the completely reinvented secondary program that will
help to enrich and improve the quality of community life and enable our youth
and young adults to maximize their potential as individuals and as contributing
members of the community. STLCF has developed In-School Intervention, Tutoring
and Student-Athlete Programs and Community Building Events that will provide
citizens in the Pontiac and surrounding areas with opportunities to succeed.
HISTORY
With the closing of all of the community centers in the city of Pontiac,
In 2005, Mr. Christopher Riley, Founder, Co-Incorporator and Chief Director of
All Operations of STLCF, decided to return to Pontiac from Lubbock, TX and help
to provide an opportunity for our youth and young adults to succeed and the
results have been outstanding. While in existence, STLCF has networked and
collaborated with state, county and local government officials, Pontiac School
District trustees, administrators and staff, community leaders and various youth
programs, pastors and church families, concerned parents and future leaders in
the city of Pontiac and surrounding areas to combat juvenile delinquency and
community deterioration.
In the summer of 2006, STLCF collaborated with the Youth Development Institute
and implemented Free Basketball Training Sessions for youth and young adults in
the Pontiac area. In the summer of 2007, STLCF collaborated with Oakland
Community College Athletic Program and the Youth Development Institute and
Co-Hosted the 1st Annual Who’s The Kings and Queens of Oakland County
Tournaments for youth and citizens in the Oakland County area. In the spring of
2008, STLCF implemented the Student-Athlete Program (SAP) for underprivileged
youth, young adults, and citizens in the Pontiac and surrounding areas.
During the summer of 2008, STLCF was able to establish themselves as one of the
most well respected and admired youth programs in the city of Pontiac. From
June – July, the SAP provided 15 collegiate student-athletes with an opportunity
to compete in the Great Lakes Summer Pro-Am Basketball League, a well respected,
NCAA certified Summer Pro-Am Basketball League in the state of Michigan, hosted
by the Sports Development Group and Great Lakes Athletic Club. From July –
August, the SAP provided an opportunity for 200 high school and middle school
student-athletes in the Oakland County area to compete in the Summer Youth
Basketball League at Beaudette Park in Pontiac, hosted by the SAP and the
Pontiac Basketball Association.
During the fall of 2008, STLCF continued to serve the youth and young adults in
the Pontiac area despite having minimal resources. In October, the SAP operated
for 13 days out of a facility at the Living Hope Community Church in Pontiac.
The SAP provided an opportunity for 148 youth and young adults to participate in
Bible Discussions, Academic Tutorials and Athletic Training.
During the winter of 2008-09, STLCF continued to network with concerned citizens
and other youth programs in the state of Michigan. In January, STLCF partnered
with Youth of Tomorrow and formed the Year of the Youth Collaborations. In
February, STLCF partnered with St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church and
implemented Academic Tutorials and Bible Discussion Programs for youth and young
adults in the Pontiac and surrounding areas. STLCF also partnered with the
Pontiac School District’s High School Redesign Transition Team and hosted a High
School Redesign Panel including 130 8th – 11th grade
students in the PSD, working together and finding ways to help make the
transition from 2 high schools to 1 high school a smooth one.
EXECUTIVE STAFF
Christopher Riley –
Chief Director of All Operations
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Angelo Taylor –
President
Shannon Shaw –
Secretary
Ahmad Taylor –
Treasurer
PROGRAMS
IN-SCHOOL
INTERVENTION PROGRAM (ISIP)
The ISIP is established to provide a safe and comfortable positive productive
teaching and learning environment for instructors and students in the Pontiac
School District. The ISIP will enhance or instill career-focused ambition and
motivation in Middle School Student within the New Middle School in the City of
Pontiac. Our goal is to help students before and after they get themselves in a
negative situation during school hours. The ISIP will effectively collaborate
with the School Board Administration, the New Middle School Administration and
Staff, and Parents and Students in this fight to eradicate juvenile delinquency
and community deterioration.
STUDENT-ATHLETE
PROGRAM (SAP)
The SAP is established to provide opportunities to underprivileged goal-oriented
student-athletes between the ages of 12-30 with ambitions of graduating from a
university and pursuing a dream of becoming entrepreneurs. The SAP consists of
three groups, Middle School, High School and Collegiate, and each group consists
of 2 divisions, Platinum and Gold. The SAP consists of Life Discussions,
Academic Tutorials, Athletic Training, and Collegiate, High School and Middle
School Athletic Teams. The SAP will effectively collaborate with Federal, State
and County Officials, City Officials, Collegiate, High School and Middle School
Officials, Community Officials, and Parents and Student-Athletes in this fight
to eradicate juvenile delinquency and community deterioration.
COMMUNITY BUILDING EVENTS
FUTURE ALL-STARS
The Future All-Stars is a five-month basketball league that consists of the
following elements: training camps, a Future All-Star draft, season games,
playoffs, a championship game and an awards banquet. Future All-Stars emphasizes
the need for education and therefore requires a mandatory study session for all
players and students participating in the Future All-Stars. Team participants
will be required to participate in community service events within the
community. Future All-Stars will positively develop our youth and our
community.
YOUTH WINTER
BASKETBALL LEAGUE
The
Youth Winter Basketball League is created to provide Middle School and High
School student-athletes that did not make their school team an opportunity to
learn and play the game of basketball as well as exposure by video recording and
keeping stats on games played and forwarding the information to middle school,
high school, collegiate and professional athletic programs and media sources.
Student-athletes participating in the league must attend Academic Tutorials
provided by STLCF and/or Affiliates.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Sky’s The Limit Community Foundation
110 Oneida, Pontiac MI 48341
248.605.5577
www.skysthelimitcf@hotmail.com
OVERVIEW
Founder/
President of Obedient2Christ Ministries, Minister Christophere LaMar Thompson
serves on the ministerial staff at St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church of
Pontiac, Michigan. His zeal, energy, commitment and passion to reach the
un-churched and untouched youths of today, closely parallels that of his senior
pastor, Rev. Al James Terrell.
A passionate, fearless, committed student of the Bible, Chris has dedicated his
life to serving God both in the pulpit and in his every-day life.
Minister Thompson is passionate about sharing Gods word with energy and
understanding. Chris is very compassionate, empowering, and enjoys encouraging
others. Minister Thompson is also a visionary, and he's not intimidated by the
unknown, instead, he steps out in full faith, challenging others to trust in God
with their minds, bodies, and souls.
Minister
Thompson was born in Pontiac, Michigan and was raised in a single parent home.
He is a three time City Wide Choir Union scholarship recipient that holds a
certified business certificate in business management from Oakland Technical
Center. Minister Thompson currently attends Destiny School of Ministry where he
plans to obtain his doctrine degree in theological studies. He is actively
involved in local community programs, lectures, and he preaches and teaches at
retreats, conferences, juvenile detention facilities, and worship services
throughout the country. His ministry is multi-faced, and provides hands-on,
life-changing service, coupled with uncompromising, anointed teaching and
preaching. Being a troubled youth himself Minister Thompson truly has a heart
for teens and also young adults. He desires to show them that no matter what
obstacles you face, you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.
As God
continues to expand his borders, Minister Thompson plans to stay humble, work
hard, and continue to learn from others.
Chris is happily married to Kristen Thompson, his first true love. They gave
birth to their first born child Adrian Naomi Thompson on August 12th 2008.
Hallelujah! God has truly been good to them over the years and has taken high
school sweethearts and brought them together as one, for kingdom building. God
we shall praise you all the days of our lives!
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MISSION
Youth of Tomorrow was
established to increase the awareness of career opportunities for youth, to
provide assistance with leadership and communication development, to partner
with other organizations who share our vision, and to educate others of the
importance of preparing youth for future career opportunities.
VISION
“Giving ten opportunities to those who only see one”
OVERVIEW
Youth of Tomorrow provides youth
with career related programs. Our programs will prepare them for career
opportunities: area specialization, personal development, and enhanced
communication skills.
We are aware that some students
pursue higher education to achieve career goals while others choose to achieve
career objectives through vocational programs. Whichever path they choose, Youth
of Tomorrow seeks fun ways to educate them. We diversify our company with
programs suitable for various styles of learning and teaching.
We make sure that youth are
getting what they need as it relates to preparing them for future career
opportunities. We obtain insight from the people who know the most about youth
and they are “Youth.”
Youth of Tomorrow interacts with
youth in various communities to discover their educational and career
aspirations. We will then work with the youth to get them involved in existing
programs or develop programs based upon their desired objectives. In corporate
America we are now seeing leaders working closely with individuals whom they
seek to help in order to develop solutions to existing or potential challenges.
Youth of Tomorrow realizes that
youth possess some of the most remarkable skills and talents. With the proper
assistance, they can begin to harness their abilities, which will allow them to
excel to higher altitudes.
Many youth are surprised to learn
that skills, talents, interests and passions can be linked to some type of
career. We expose the students to numerous occupations and the vast
opportunities they offer.
HISTORY
The Engineers of
Tomorrow began opened the doors to 22 students October 5, 2005. The program was
a 30 week program that focused on the various fields of engineering. The success
of the program led to the idea of establishing an educational base company. This
company would fuel the minds of youth who had interest in being successful.
June 28, 2006 marked the day that this company became reality.
Youth of Tomorrow
serves as a corporate partner of the university I attend. We have been able to
build strong relationships with other organizations who share the same vision of
investing in the future of youth. We have completed three successful years of
engineering programs and are now aggressively working toward a fourth productive
year.
We are preparing to
launch additional programs to assist with the career objectives of various
youth. We have in place brochures, flyers, and a website (www. Yoft.org) to help
market the programs offered. We have influenced more than 100 students in a few
years, and we continue to seek ways to advance our programs. Our goal is to
reach more and more youth with each passing year.
OFFICERS
Marc D. Alexander – President
La’Keisha M. Watson – Vice President
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Lenny Compton – President
Patrick McNeal – Vice President
Lynn O’Connor – Secretary
Jerome Gibson – Treasurer
Burnie Nelson – Member
PROGRAMS
Our programs
incorporate the Self-Perception Theory which states, "If you want someone to
believe or feel something about themselves, first get them to do it."
Bem (1972),
Festinger and Carlsmith (1959),
Zanna and Cooper (1974)
http://changingminds.org/explanations/theories/self-perception.htm.
Youth of Tomorrow will put participants in the shoes of an engineer; and send
them on a Secret Agent’s mission. We can show them the endless opportunities
available in the world.
We are sometimes
limited by our resources (or the lack of). We provide vital resources that
enable students to embrace opportunities within their scope and beyond.
ENGINEERS OF TOMORROW
Engineers of Tomorrow
is a engineering Program geared towards stimulating and enlightening the minds
of the youth. Participants will receive hands on experience with in the various
fields of engineering such as electrical, industrial, and manufacturing
engineering. Participants will also take part in managerial projects to enhance
their communication skills necessary to complete various projects for a manager
in the field of engineering. Upon completion, participants will have a better
understanding, working knowledge of engineering concepts and exposure to career
opportunities in the field of engineering.
FUTURE ALL-STAR
Future All-Star is a
six-month basketball league that consists of the following elements: training
camps, a Future All-Star draft, season games, playoffs, a championship game and
an awards banquet. The basketball league emphasizes the need for education and
therefore requires a mandatory study session for all players participating in
the Future All-Stars basketball league. Team participants will be required to
participate in community service events within the community. We want to develop
our youth and our community.
ATTORNEYS OF TOMORROW
The Attorneys of
Tomorrow program provides the participants with a better understanding of the
practice of law. The program is a eight-week course held Monday through Saturday
from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. Participants will get the opportunity to see a real
court room, real court cases and the opportunity to participate in their very
own court case. Upon completion, participants will have a better understanding
of the practice of law and the law itself. The youth must first know the law
before they can obey it.
OUTCOME
The optimal outcome
would be an innovative group of young, strong trailblazers effecting positive
change in corporate America, society and the world. Our plan, implemented
effectively, will place well-educated professionals in occupations throughout
America, prepared to produce change for the greater good of all. We will measure
the overall rate of students who come through the program and who advance toward
their career objectives. We will assess how many alumni sow back into Youth of
Tomorrow, allowing others the opportunity to achieve career goals. We will also
seek feedback from various companies, across the states, that work closely with
Youth of Tomorrow.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Physical Address:
3701 N. Averill Ave.
Flint, MI 48506
1(888) 799-2819
www.yoft.org
Mailing Address:
P.O. BOX 431065
PONTIAC, MI 48343
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