Lexington Leadership Foundation Inc

Amachi Kentucky - Since 2004, the Amachi program has been providing one-to-one mentoring for children aged 6-16 affected by incarceration, poverty, and opioids. Children are matched with caring adult volunteers (mentors) who have committed to spend at least one hour per week with them. Mentors and mentees participate in a variety of positive, goal driven activities. Mentors are recruited from a broad spectrum across the community including faith groups, businesses, and the public at large. Volunteers undergo a thorough background check, including in-home visits and reference checks, and receive specialized training using Positive Youth Development methodology. Students are referred from local schools and social service agencies. During 2024, 161 matches were served and over 9,000 hours of mentoring was provided by 161 volunteers. Funding for Amachi comes from a variety of sources, including sub-awarded federal funds, private foundations, corporate and individual support. Included in 2024 revenue are three sub-awards to the Amachi program, each being projects of the Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Those awards included Knoxville Leadership Foundation's Appalachian Opioid Affected Youth Initiative ($72,165), Leadership Foundation's Mentoring Youth for Leadership ($13,410), and Youth Collaboratory's Mentoring Plus project ($72,508).

Fatherhood Initiative (FI) - This initiative began in October, 2011 following award of a grant from the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. Following conclusion of that grant in 2015, staff and board decided to continue the work, seeking funding from other sources. The goal of FI remains: to provide fathers with the tools they need to be restored and equipped to become an engaged, responsible dad. Small group curricula centered around these components is offered, as well as individual tracks for progress in recognition of each individual's circumstances. FI partners with over 50 community and faith-based organizations to execute its partnership-driven model. During 2024, 701 fathers were served, (representing over 1,751 children). Fathers are referred from local judicial and social service agencies, grass roots service providers including addiction recovery centers, and the community-at-large. Funding comes from corporate and individual sources, foundations, and local government. The annual Father's Day community celebration was held, once again gathering hundreds to celebrate fathers and families, and present educational resources to the community.

Prayer Initiative - Includes operation of the Prayer Room, designed to foster intimacy with Jesus and mobilize intercessory worship throughout the Body of Christ in Lexington. Over 500 individuals from congregations and prayer ministries across the city engaged in worship and prayer, supported by 40 volunteers, 20 partner organizations, and held 148 intentional prayer gatherings and events. Staff also extended pastoral care through mentoring, life coaching, and prayer counseling.

Mission Increase Lexington launched in 2024 in partnership with Mission Increase, an organization founded in 1999 in Portland, Oregon, to help nonprofits, churches, and donors fulfill their God-given mission and expand Kingdom impact through biblically-based training, coaching, and fundraising consulting. After launching in May, 2024, Mission Increase has served 195 leaders from 118 local nonprofits through workshops and individual coaching.