Tonia Faison, the Founder and Executive Director of Life Interventions, Incorporated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has identified a major problem in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. The problem pertains to the difficulties at-risk, under-served young adults (between the ages of 18 and 25 years old) face when they become of age and as adults enter a community that does not value their potential.  Most often these young men and women are so discouraged by the lack of opportunities afforded to them in the communities that they simply give up and resort to an undesirable and often illegal lifestyle to survive. As a result, they contribute to the high rate of crime within Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.

 

Tonia has been working with community youth and young adults for 15 years. While working as a member of other community nonprofit groups, she encountered young adults first hand who were struggling with integrating into communities as adults. She worked to reach them through mentorship, but realized that there was a great need for a more structured program that was primarily focused on coaching those individuals on how to function in society successfully and productively. This hands-on experience ignited her desire to start a program that provides solutions. Tonia has extensively researched the difficulties at-risk, underserved young adults face when they enter adulthood and are expected to be self-sufficient. She has also studied the root causes for recidivism among young adults.