Dr. Linda E. Young
The Village Foundation, LJP is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization that supports the development of positive relationships, academic rigor, educational relevancy, personal responsibility, and mutual respect evidenced by scholarly success for students, their families, and communities. The Village Foundation is committed to high academic achievement for all students at all levels—pre-kindergarten through college. Our goal is to close the gaps in opportunity and achievement that relegate far too many young people—especially those from low-income families or who are from minority ethnic groups, and other students with poor and harsh family and home environments—to live on the margins of the American mainstream. The Village Foundation also holds high expectations for students, teachers, administrators, and parents in their efforts to become more proficient in their daily lives and in all academic settings.
It is the Village Foundation’s belief in the power of education to close the gaps that separate low-income students and students of color from other young Americans. We believe that schools and colleges, appropriately organized, can help virtually all students master the knowledge they need to succeed. We believe that long-standing gaps in opportunity, achievement, and attainment have roots inside and outside of schools. We are aware that these gaps may be engrained, but we also know that they can be overcome. The Village realizes that a strong and relevant education improves the lives of young people, their families, and community, and is vital to sustaining financial conditions for students, families, and communities.
The Village Foundation will encourage, support, and prepare students to navigate the college planning process by fully explaining the four components of a successful college-bound plan: K-12 academic achievement, extracurricular activity involvement, the development of personal qualities, and how to overcome the negative stereotypes such as race, gender, socioeconomic background, and secondary school attended. We will assist parents in maximizing the full range of opportunities available within the Clark County School District and other private and charter school programs. We will prepare a Village Implementation Plan (VIP) that will assist in preparing young people for higher education that reflects the uniqueness of their background and relates to their special gifts and talents. We will support teachers, counselors, and mentors through the Village Training Programs that expand their college knowledge and culturally-responsive strategies that meet the needs of students and families within the communities. We will partner with faith-based institutions, businesses, higher education and other nonprofit organizations to meet the unique needs of students, families, and schools within our communities. The Village Foundation will maintain a website that serves as a guide to assist students in planning for post-secondary educational opportunities including financial aid and scholarships. We will utilize an educational travel program that will incorporate learning tools to share with local and international Villages around the world.
Although many organizations speak up for the adults employed by schools and colleges, we speak up for students, especially those whose needs, potential, and promises are often overlooked. The Village Foundation will carry out our mission in the spirit of Galatians 5:22-23: “The Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Thank you for your dedicated support!
Love, Joy, and Peace,
Linda E. Young, President
The Village Foundation, LJP