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Our Pillars
The Wallace Foundation’s work is rooted in four pillars that guide our programs, partnerships, and investment in young people and families. Through each pillar, we create opportunities that encourage individuals to lead, learn, live well, and positively impact their communities.
01
Civic Engagement
Building informed, engaged and responsible community leaders.
We provide young people with opportunities to understand the world around them, develop leadership skills, and recognize their ability to create meaningful change.
Our Focus for Civic Engagement
- Youth Leadership Development
- Cultivate leadership skills, confidence, civic responsibility, and community awareness.
- Community & Global Awareness
- Expose participants to social challenges affecting communities on the local, national, and global levels.
- Volunteerism & Service
- Create and collaborate on opportunities for young people to serve alongside community organizations and local leaders.
- Responsible Citizenship
- Encourage participants to understand the importance of service, advocacy, voting, and active participation in their communities.
Our Goal for Civic Engagement
Develop a generation of young people who understand that leadership includes responsibility to others and who are equipped to become active contributors to their communities.
02
Educational Advancement
Preparing young people for success beyond the classroom.
We believe educational achievement includes graduating prepared for the next step—whether that means college, vocational training, entrepreneurship, or entering the workforce.
Our Focus for Educational Advancement
- Academic Achievement
- Provide resources, mentorship, scholarships, and enrichment opportunities that support students on the path toward graduation.
- College & Vocational Readiness
- Expose students to colleges, universities, skilled trades, vocational programs, scholarships, and career pathways.
- Financial Literacy
- Build foundational knowledge around budgeting, saving, financial responsibility, and wealth building.
- Entrepreneurship
- Foster creativity, problem-solving, business development, and entrepreneurial thinking.
- Exposure & Opportunity
- Help students experience possibilities beyond their immediate environments through college tours, cultural experiences, and educational programming.
Our Goal for Educational Advancement
Work toward a 100% high school graduation rate among participating students while preparing them to confidently pursue college, vocational training, entrepreneurship, or career opportunities.
03
Healthy Living & Wellness
Helping individuals and families build healthier lives—physically, mentally and emotionally.
Wellness is at the heart of The Wallace Foundation's mission. We work to increase awareness, access, education, and support, so individuals can make informed decisions about their health.
Our Focus for Healthy Living & Wellness
- Nutrition Education & Access
- Promote healthy eating habits while connecting families with resources that support nutritious lifestyles.
- Health & Cancer Screenings
- Increase awareness and access to cancer screenings, early detection, and preventive health resources.
- Mental & Emotional Wellness
- Create spaces and resources that support emotional health, grief, healing, and resilience.
- Personal Wellness
- Encourage participants to establish individualized, realistic goals for their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
- Healthy Habits
- Introduce sustainable approaches to exercise, nutrition, self-care, and overall wellness.
Our Goal for Healthy Living & Wellness
Give individuals and families the knowledge, resources, and support necessary to take a proactive role in their overall health and wellness.
04
Mentorship & Personal Development
Helping young people recognize their potential and develop the confidence to pursue it.
Through consistent mentorship, positive relationships, exposure, and personal development, we help young people strengthen the skills they need to make healthy decisions and navigate life's challenges.
Our Focus for Mentorship & Personal Development
- Positive Mentorship
- Connect youth with caring adults and positive role models who provide guidance, encouragement, and accountability.
- Self-Esteem & Self-Awareness
- Help participants recognize their strengths, develop confidence, and better understand themselves.
- Character & Responsibility
- Reinforce accountability, integrity, respect, decision-making, and responsible citizenship.
- Life Skills
- Develop communication, goal-setting, conflict resolution, problem-solving, and other skills necessary for adulthood.
- Positive Pathways
- Increase exposure to educational, professional, cultural, and community opportunities that encourage positive life choices.
Our Goal for Mentorship & Personal Development
Help young people develop the confidence, relationships, decision-making skills, and sense of responsibility necessary to pursue positive pathways and avoid behaviors and circumstances that can negatively affect their futures.
Our Impact
Growing a Legacy of Service
Since 2021, The Wallace Foundation has worked to turn our four pillars into meaningful action throughout Louisiana.
- More than 5,000 students and families reached
- More than 200 youth mentored
- More than 20 health and wellness initiatives
- More than 20 civic engagement initiatives
- More than $10,000 in scholarships awarded
Behind every number is a person, a family, and a community. From scholarships and college tours to mentorship, health screenings, grief support, youth camps, financial literacy, and community service, our programs are designed to create opportunities that produce lasting impact.
See Our Full ImpactOur Work in Action
Mentor Mondays
Consistent mentorship and personal development for middle and high school students.
Sean Strong Scholarship
Investing in students as they pursue higher education and future opportunities.
Strong Summer Experience
Combining enrichment, mentorship, wellness, education, and cultural exposure.
Youth Football Camp
Using athletics to promote discipline, teamwork, wellness, and personal growth.
Healing Helps
Creating supportive spaces for individuals and families navigating grief and loss.
Health & Cancer Screenings
Increasing awareness and access to preventive health resources.
College & Cultural Exposure
Expanding students’ understanding of the educational, professional, and cultural opportunities available to them.
Community Service & Civic Engagement
Putting service into action through MLK initiatives, volunteerism, community projects, and civic participation.
Get Involved
The Foundation runs on people who show up. Whether you have an afternoon or a company behind you, there is a way in.