Greatness is lived in everyday moments.
We believe every young person is called to greatness. They live that call when they study with care, keep their word, help at home, and choose kindness when it is difficult. Through friendship and joyful example, mentors help young people recognize the purpose in ordinary life and respond with courage, love, and generosity.
Our mission guides this daily work. Our vision expresses what it can mean for our students, their families, and the communities they serve.
Mission
YLF builds character and a brighter future for youth in our Nation's Capital. We guide young people to embrace study, work well done, order, and cheerfulness.
Vision
We envision youth who pursue charity at home, honorable friendships, excellence in their endeavors, and service to their communities.
We envision alumni who steward loving families, work with skill, lead with integrity, and give generously according to their circumstances.
We envision mentors who guide with friendship and encourage by joyful example.
We envision parents fully committed to their role as first educators of their children. And we partner with parents and with community organizations that share in the vital work of student and family formation.
History
Professor Edward Smith speaks to a YLF group at Arlington National Cemetery.
In 1958, a blind mother with a vision for her child's future took him to Arlington National Cemetery.
President Dwight Eisenhower was presenting the Medal of Honor the internment of the Unknown Soldiers of WWII. What transpired was the birth of a sense of duty and sacrifice for country and appreciation for history in her son.
It was then that a young Ed Smith vowed to read a book a week for the rest of his life. The child fell in love with history and vowed to read a book a week for the rest of his life. In 1960, that child had kept his promise, graduating near the top of the first-ever desegregated class from Western High School. Lacking resources to attend college, a young Edward Smith began working in the mail room of the White House for President Johnson during the War on Poverty. His talent for writing became evident at this time and paved the way for his success as the first African-American tenured Professor of American University; the founder of that university’s Civil War Institute; a speech writer for President Carter; and one of the early founders of The Heights School in Potomac, MD.
In the 1970’s and 80’s, Professor Smith collaborated with Opus Dei, an institution of the Catholic Church to launch leadership development programs called the Program for Academic and Leadership Skills (PALS) and the Tenley Achievement Program (TAP). PALS and TAP gave promising youth in Washington an opportunity to have a relationship with positive adult role models. They provided tutoring and mentoring on Saturday mornings and summers throughout the city. After nearly three decades of success, so many inner-city families were entrusting their children to TAP and PALS that Professor Smith saw the need for an organization which could directly serve the these families and communities.
Professor Smith helped to found YLF in 1997 to be able to better serve the community. Over the next three decades, nearly 5,000 students attended YLF programs, and, more than 95% of their parents have a high satisfaction with their son or daughter’s involvement in PALS or TAP. Inspired by life of St. Josemaría Escrivá, we believe every young person is called to greatness, lived through daily work, family life, and joyful service to others. YLF has been repeated named one of D.C.’s Best Small Charities by Spark Local (formerly the Catalogue for Philanthropy). In 2027, YLF celebrates its 30th Anniversary.
Impact
YLF students outperform their District area peers in educational trajectory and across measures of future leadership. Of the 4,000 YLF alums, 97% have graduated high school (compared to 60% of area peers), and roughly 80% have continued their education beyond high school at university, community college or trade school (compared to 48%). In SY 2016-7, YLF conducted a study measuring the leadership development of our students compared to peers. YLF students outperform peers across 8 measures predictive of future leadership, including focus, effort, judgment and preparation.
Just in the past few years, YLF students that embody our core values of joy, excellence and a spirit of service have attended schools such as: Gonzaga, Banneker, St. John's College High School, Bullis, Landon, The Heights School, Sidwell Friends, St. Albans, School Without Walls, Archbishop Carroll, Dematha, Elizabeth Seton HS, and McKinley Tech.
These students have also attended colleges like: Howard University, Towson University, West Virginia University, Mount St. Mary's University, Hampton University, George Washington University, Virginia State University, North Carolina Central University, Thomas More College, Haverford College, University of Maryland and Spelman College.