OUR TEAM
Laighton Scott
Co-Lead Instructor / Mentor
Certified by the IL State Fire Marshall
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Co-Lead Instructor / Mentoring
Responsibilities:
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Conducting vocational training sessions and life skills workshops
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Mentoring youth in vocational skills and career paths
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Focusing on violence reduction in Cook County communities
Experience:
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33 years of experience in the Fire Service
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16 years as Fire Captain
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IL State Certified Firefighter
Demetrius Wade
First Responder Awareness Instructor / Youth Mentor
Responsibilities:
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Providing first responder training to youth
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Mentoring on emergency response skills
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Engaging with curious young teens
Experience:
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Nationally Registered EMTs (NREMT) Certified
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IL State Certified EMT
Denard Wade II
Financial Literacy Instructor/Mentor
Responsibilities:
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Teaching financial literacy to youth
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Managing financial education resources
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Ensuring the financial sustainability of the program
Experience:
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Bachelor's Degree in Finance
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Associate Degree in Business Administration
Lajuan Wade
Co-Founder / CFO / Human Resource Manager
Responsibilities:
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Managing finances and daily operations
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Supervising budget reviews and financial modeling
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Overseeing human resource tasks
Experience:
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26 years of experience in Human Resources
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31 years of experience in Accounting
Catrece Smith
Grant Manager
Responsibilities:
Grant Reporting:
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Compiling and submitting comprehensive reports on grant-funded activities, outcomes, and expenditures.
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Ensuring compliance with reporting requirements stipulated by grantors.
Managing Program Funding Requirements:
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Overseeing the allocation and utilization of grant funds in accordance with program objectives.
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Tracking expenses and ensuring that funds are utilized efficiently and effectively.
Researching Information Sources for Program Development:
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Conducting research to identify potential grant opportunities aligned with the program's mission and goals.
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Gathering relevant information and data to support grant applications and proposals
Experience:
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23 years of experience in grant writing
Darius Wade
Youth Mentor
Responsibilities:
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Anti-Bullying Initiatives
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Conducting Role-Playing Activities for Anti-Bullying Education
Experience:
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Youth Mentoring
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Expertise in Anti-Bullying Prevention Education
Admin Team:
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Logistical Coordinators: Kassandra Reyes, Ashley Wade, Lajuan Wade, Corin Wade
Support Team:
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Youth Trauma Based Coordinator: Natalie Pettigrew
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Youth Mentors: Monique Hudson, Stacy Couch
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Program Nutrition Coordinator: June Scott
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Youth Case Manager: Nova Mines
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Peer-Peer Mentor: Alan Eades
Our Staff and Partners Mission
DLD For Youth Staff and volunteers understand that we must be successful and cause success in others. In our pursuit of excellence, we shell sow seeds that produce the next generation of professional leaders. We are a 501c3 organization that is committed to providing a safe environment for young people to freely express themselves and encourage them to make healthy decisions.