Today we’d like to introduce you to Alonzo Truitt
Hi Alonzo, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Growing up, I was blessed with a loving household, but the world outside my door was a different story—unforgiving and relentless. the streets and the pull of corporatized culture had a grip on me, shaping my desires and influencing my choices. I was captivated by what I saw and what I thought I needed. I know the struggle because I lived it. I was once just like the kids I’m now trying to inspire, caught between where I was from and where I wanted to be.
Growing up, my mother used to volunteer to reach and teach all of the kids in our neighborhood during the “crack epidemic” and years later, after abruptly being diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer ( during the pandemic) and passing away from it in 2022, my mother ultimately became the reason and drive that fueled me bringing my dream to fruition.
Fast forwarding to 2020.
I first got the idea for I is We Incorporated during the pandemic.
Food scarcity was starting become a bigger issue than usual in our community because of shortages and school was obsolete.
There seemed to be a need for guidance and inspiration in our country more than ever!
It was clear to me that feeding, reaching and teaching those who need it most was a huge priority!
My first hand experience and relatability helped me realize I could actually make an impact.
One day at the library, I ran into a bunch of kids from the neighborhood, they were getting into an altercation with an adult so deescalated the situation and invited them all to Our Youth Empowerment Lunch-n-Learn Program that was to start soon.
A few weeks later, my wife saw those same kids running around in the same library, gave them a few stern but respectful words about their behaviors and manners in the library and then (unbeknownst to me) made them All V.I.P.s and told them to make sure to bring as many kinds DS from the neighborhood as they could!
That was a year ago in June and now we feed, teach, guide and inspire approx. 20-40 at- risk/high risk and underserved youth in our program every Saturday at Dixon Park!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been a surprisingly easy road!
We are blessed to have such a close relationship with the children in our program!
What started out as a free, Summer lunch program, quickly turned into a Summer and Fall one, which ultimately turned into a Spring, Summer and Fall Program!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am the Founder, President and Executive Director of I is We Incorporated and an author of The HeartHeads, an exciting New children’s book that’s fun and educational and is inspired by I is We Incorporated and our Lunch-n- Learn Program!
I specialize in feeding, reaching and teaching at-risk, high- risk and underprivileged youth, ages 6yo to 18 yo. through our comprehensive and innovative approach to traditional workshops such as Critical Thinking- Through Chess, Conflict Resolution, Credit and Budgeting, Etiquette and Decorum and reading and comprehension just to name a few!
I am honestly most proud of the impact that I is We Incorporated and Our Youth Empowerment Lunch-n-Learn Program that they have made on our children as well as in our community and being blessed to be able to run our program with my family.
Running a Youth Empowerment Lunch-n-Learn Program with family. We believe that seeing family involvement can have several positive impacts on the children participating like enhancing learning experiences, increasing confidence and self-esteem,stronger family bonds, development of life skills, community building, positive role models and academic and social support amongst our children.
Being in a unique position to have life experience and relatability with our youth sets us apart from other Lunch-n-Learn Programs!
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I would have to say that my favorite childhood memory is reading books with my late mother as a child.
Pricing:
- 12.99 on Amazon.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.iisweincorporated.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iisweincorporated/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091262814690
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/@iiswe726834
- Other: https://paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/4892564
