Everyone has a story. Every story needs a hero. What are the qualities of a hero? Who is your hero? What would have to happen for you to become the hero of your story? Hasan Davis, Founder/CEO of Hasan Davis Solutions, used this series of questions to introduce his powerful story of transformation from juvenile delinquent to advocate, inspiring attendees of the 2025 Juvenile Justice Summit to become “hope dealers.”
Mr. Hasan was one of many inspirational speakers who stressed the importance of guiding young people who have been traumatized to recognize their own power and to inspire them to become the hero of their own life story. In Extended Family Leadership Academy (EFLA), we describe this process in our motto, “Lead Yourself.” This idea of “leading yourself” involves making good personal choices regardless of the choices being made by others around you, whether family, classmates, or friends.
Extended Family Leadership Academy lessons are centered around three main areas of focus: job readiness, including interview preparedness, health, including maintaining good physical and mental health and identifying healthy relationships, and communication, including the art of making friends, the power of a thank you note, and when and how to use phone/text/social media appropriately.
Additionally, students are introduced to community leaders who have the experience to help them successfully transition into adulthood, beginning with choosing the right career. These caring adults share their own stories of triumph over adversity and sometimes go on to mentor the students they meet through EFLA.
EFLA lessons work together to help students get from where they are now to where they want to go in the future, with the goal of fulfilling our mission, “To offer help and inspire hope,” with every young person we serve. We are dedicated “hope dealers,” providing children of all ages with the tools they need to succeed. Here we grow heroes.
For more information about Extended Family and our programs, please visit our website at www.extendedfamilyhelp.org.