Mission, Vision, & History
We are committed to supporting young people and making an impact in their lives
Established in 2014, Guiding Light Mentoring is an organization dedicated to serving youth ages 8–18 in the Greater Cincinnati area by providing positive role models, teaching relationship skills, and helping develop moral character.
Our mission is empowering young people to become the next generation of leaders by equipping them with skills and resources to make a positive and lasting impact in their lives.
Our vision is a community where every young person embraces their potential, learns to overcome obstacles, and contributes to a meaningful impact in the Greater Cincinnati Area.
Guiding Light Mentoring takes a holistic approach by integrating community partners, parents, and youth through collaboration to help youth recognize and reach their highest potential while looking toward a brighter future.
Guiding Light Mentoring was founded in 2014 by CEO Latisha Owens. Ms. Owens felt a calling from God to provide youth with guidance, support, and encouragement in making positive decisions that would lead to a successful life. In her obedience to God, Ms. Owens started the business with just 5 mentors and 5 mentees and no budget. Ms. Owens believed so strongly in her calling, she used her own money to initially fund the organization. Relationships built through Guiding Light Mentoring have proven that mentoring is a key factor in the healthy development of youth.
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2014
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Guiding Light Mentoring incorporated.
Started with 5 youth and 5 mentors in the program.
Started Partnership with Central Clinic’s HOPE for Children and Families Program.
Received a $7,000 grant, our biggest grant to date, from Interact for Health.
Received a Proclamation from the City of Cincinnati declaring October 13, 2017, as “Guiding Light Mentoring Day” in Cincinnati.
CEO, Latisha Owens, received The Community Health Advocate Award from CCTST. This award recognizes an individual in the community working in service who has demonstrated leadership and a passion for improving health. The individual’s efforts have advanced health and wellness in children and/or adults in the community.
Launched I AM ME Youth Summit. I AM ME is a youth summit aimed at empowering youth in our communities through building their confidence and resilience to embrace who they are.
Received a Proclamation from the City of Cincinnati declaring February 9, 2019 as “I AM ME Day” in Cincinnati.
Launched the I AM ME Leadership Summer Program. This program is an extension of the I AM ME Youth Symposium.
Founder and CEO was selected as one of the 2020 National Mentoring Summit Fellows.
Our CEO, Latisha Owens was recognized as a member of the 2019 Forty Under 40 class.
Purchased office space in the Northside Community.
Started partnership with University of Cincinnati to recruit interns for Guiding Light Mentoring.
Received a grant in the amount of $3,704.00 from the Greater Cincinnati Foundation & United Way of Greater Cincinnati's COVID-19 Regional Response Fund to help five families meet those immediate needs affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Received a $25,000 grant from the Hamilton County Non-Profit Relief Fund to assist youth and families of the program during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Whitewater Crossing Church donated a van to Guiding Light Mentoring to assist with transporting youth participants to program outings.
Our CEO, Latisha Owens, received the Deserving Neighbor Award.
Launched a Remote Learning Program to assist students during the 2020-2021 school year.
Guiding Light Mentoring started a partnership with Chase Elementary School, Project Connect and Cincinnati Public Library.
Our CEO, Latisha Owens, was awarded a SEEDs Scholarship from AFP Cincinnati.
Partnership with Rhinegeist and Second Place to host a back-to-school supply drive.
Received a grant from the City of Cincinnati to launch Project E.P.I.C: Endless Possibility Influencing Change. This is an initiative to address gun violence among youth in the community.
Held 1st Annual back-to-school event in partnership with Chase Elementary School. Served over 275 youth and families during this event.
Held first mentee/mentor retreat at Camp Joy.
Launched The Tasha Jones Porter Scholarship Fund and gave out the first scholarship during our 4th Annual Gala in the amount of $2,500. The widow of Tasha Jones Porter, Terrence Porter, made a generous donation of $50,000 to support this initiative.
Became Medicaid Certified
2022
New Partnerships with Hamilton County Juvenile Court, Legacy Residential Homes, Cincinnati Public Schools of Chase Elementary, Ethel M. Taylor Academy, and Kilgore Elementary.
Received a $30,000 grant from the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Black Giving Circle.
Now offering case management services to youth to dive into the mental health field.
Raised more than $15,000 at our 5th Annual Igniting Future Leaders Gala.
Hired first new staff to oversee our Mentor Program.
GLM partnered with McKie Recreation Center, Black Women Cultivating Change, and Fifth Third Bank e-Bus to host a free community event on financial literacy.
New partnerships with Cincinnati Public Schools of Parker Woods Montessori and Gamble Montessori Elementary.
Received a $25,000 grant from the Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile Foundation to launch our after-school program to deliver social-emotional learning and nutrition activities to elementary-aged students.
Received a $20,000 grant from the Vineyard Cincinnati Church.
2023
2024
Guiding Light Mentoring celebrates 10th Anniversary!
New partnership with Woodward Career Technical High School. Also partnered with the University of Cincinnati's School of Education to provide tutoring for our afterschool program.
Partnered with the Youth Center division with Hamilton County Juvenile Court teaching key life skills to avoid gun violence and violent offenses.