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.

Our organization provides

Mentoring

Wellness

Tutoring

Leadership

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.

2014

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Guiding Light Mentoring incorporated

Starts with 5 youth and mentors in the program

Started Partnership with Central Clinic’s HOPE for Children and Families Program

Received a $7,000 grant 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 $5,000 grant from Interact For Health

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 has been recognized as a member of the 2019 Forty Under 40 class

Purchased office space in the Northside Community

Started partnership with University of Cincinnati recruit interns for Guiding Light Mentoring

Received a grant in the amount of $3,000 from The Rotary Club of Cincinnati

Received a grant in the amount of $5,000 from the CareSource Foundation

Received two grants in the amount of $1,000 from the Summertime Kids of Greater Cincinnati Foundation Fund

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 grant in the amount of $500 from the Northside Community Fund

Guiding Light Mentoring received a grant in the amount of $2,000 from Interact For Health

Received a grant in the amount of $1,500 from the One Hundred Black Men of New York

Received a $9,000 grant from the Greater Cincinnati Foundation

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

Received a Magnified Giving Came Give grant

Received a $5,000 grant from the Elsa Sule Foundation

Whitewater Crossing Church donated a van to Guiding Light Mentoring

Our CEO, Latisha Owens, receives Deserving Neighbor Award

Launched a Remote Learning Program to assist students during the 2020-2021 school year

Provided youth and families with over $40,000 in assistance this year

Served over 130 youth this year

Guiding Light Mentoring started a partnership with Chase Elementary Chase

Our CEO, Latisha Owens was awarded a SEEDs Scholarship from AFP Cincinnati

Began a partnership with Project Connect

Partnership with the Cincinnati Public Library Northside Branch to provide youth with reading material and activities during the summer months

Received a grant from Magnified Giving to provide self-care packages to the mentee's guardian

Collaborated with other organizations to host an end of the school year celebration for Chase Elementary School that included breakfast, swag bags, and a keynote speaker

Participated in Cincinnati Public Schools Summer Scholars Enrichment

Program held at Chase Elementary School and Ethel M. Taylor Academy

Students of Chase were able to hear a powerful message from local actress Kiandra "Kiki" Layne about believing in oneself and their dreams

Partnership with Rhinegeist and Second Place to host a back-to-school supply donation

Received a grant from the City of Cincinnati to launch a Youth Violence Prevention Program

Held 1st Annual back-to-school event in partnership with Chase Elementary School that. We served over 275 youth and families from this event

Received a $1,000 grant from Interact for Health

Received a $10,000 grant from Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation

Received two mini grants from United Way

Held first mentee/mentor retreat at Camp Joy

Launched The Tasha Jones Porter Scholarship Fund and gave out first scholarship during our 4th Annual Gala in the amount of $2,500

Raised over $20,000 at our 4th Annual Igniting Future Leaders Gala

Received a $10,000 grant from the Andrew Jergens Foundation

Received a $5,000 grant from The Marge & Charles Schott Foundation

Received a $5,000 grant from Christ Church Cathedral

Received a $5,000 grant from The PNC Charitable Trust

Became Medicaid Certified

Terrence Porter made a generous donation of $50,000 toward the Tasha Jones Porter Scholarship Fund

2022

New Partnerships with Hamilton County Juvenile Court and Legacy Residential Homes

Implementation of our Project E.P.I.C program (Endless Possibilities Influencing Change) geared toward addressing gun violence amongst male youth in our community

Received a $30,000 grant from the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Black Giving Circle

Hosted our 4-week I AM ME Leadership Program virtually in partnership with Chase Elementary School

Received a $1,000 grant from the Northside Community Fund

Received a $2,500 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation

Now offering case management services to youth

$5,000 grant received from the Elsa Sule Foundation

Partnered with Cincinnati Public Schools of Chase Elementary, Ethel M. Taylor Academy, and Kilgore Elementary for their Summer Scholars Enrichment Program to educate students on STEM activities.

Hosted our 2nd annual Northside Back-to-School Community Event in which we distributed more than 570 backpacks in addition to PPE supplies, uniforms, and hair necessities.

Received a mini grant from United Way in the amount of $1,500

Received a $5,000 grant from The Marge & Charles J Schott Foundation

Received a $1,750 grant from Whole Foods

Raised more than $15,000 at our 5th Annual Igniting Future Leaders Gala

Hired a Program Coordinator to oversee our Youth Education Program

Hosted our 5th Annual I AM ME Youth Summit at Chase Elementary. This year's event focused on gun violence prevention among youth in the community.

GLM partnered with McKie Recreation Center, Black Women Cultivating Change to host Fifth Third Bank's EBus to provide free financial literacy information to the community.

Received a $25,000 grant from the Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile Foundation to launch our afterschool program to deliver social emotional learning and nutrition activities to elementary aged students.

Received a $10,000 grant from the Millstone Fund

Received a $10,000 grant from the CareSource Foundation

Received a $20,000 grant from the Vineyard Cincinnati Church