When I was hired at TGR Foundation as a program manager in 2006, I was doe-eyed and a little rough around the edges. During my interviews, I met Dr. Kathy Bihr, who must have spotted a diamond in the rough. Â
Coming from a creative arts and nonprofit background, I understood intrinsically what young people needed to feel seen and heard. The polish, however, came over the nearly seven years I spent at the Foundation.Â
Under Kathy’s leadership and alongside other Foundation leaders, I learned a clearer framework for what young people need to thrive while discovering a deeper sense of my own mission in education. Kathy also mentored me through my graduate studies, supporting my thesis and action research project at Anaheim Union High School District. That research explored eight strategies to help teachers and students build stronger relationships, making teaching more effective and learning more accessible. I had no idea at the time that this work would eventually lay the foundation for my own company, kid-grit. Â
Start Something: More Than Character Education Â
Start Something is a character education curriculum developed through a partnership between TGR Foundation and Target Corporation for K–12 and afterschool educators. Â
Inspired by Start Something, a book written by Earl Woods, the program was built from lessons he passed down to Tiger throughout his childhood. Across more than 80 short reflections, Earl shared personal stories about volunteerism, giving back, respecting elders, kindness and personal character. Between 2006 and 2009, Start Something reached more than 10,000 educators and served almost two million students. Â
Most character education programs at the time focused strictly on concepts like self-awareness, discipline and empathy. Start Something was different because it expected students to take action. The program units explored teamwork, heroes, role models and mentors, self-discovery and connecting personal passions to future careers. Students were encouraged to reflect on who they were, who they wanted to become and how they could make a difference. Students also received a personal letter from Tiger Woods himself, an exciting touch that immediately hooked students on the idea of starting something meaningful. The real differentiator was a culminating action project. Students planned and executed service-learning projects in their local communities, practicing teamwork, leadership and service in real-world settings. On top of that, students who completed the program could apply for competitive summer scholarships to pursue their individual passions.
One seventh-grade student I taught from South Los Angeles received a three-week scholarship to attend an arts and music camp in England. When I picked him up at the airport after his trip, I asked him what his biggest takeaway was, he looked out the window, thought for a second, and said: “I realized how big the world is, and that I can be a part of it.” I was over the moon. That single moment captured everything Start Something was designed to do: open doors, expand perspectives and show young people that their circumstances don’t have to limit their potential.
From Start Something to the Earl Woods Scholar ProgramÂ
After working on the Start Something program, I stepped into another dimension of youth development through the Earl Woods Scholar Program. Under the leadership of Cristina Fernandez, the mentorship component of the program was updated to center long-term, intentional relationships as the key to student success. I reimagined a formal mentor training program and handbook outlining clear expectations, procedures and responsibilities, establishing a foundational requirement for mentors and scholars to connect monthly. We understood that mentorship isn’t just matching a student with a caring adult; it requires structure, trust and a genuine commitment to showing up.Â
During my time with program, it expanded from five scholars in Orange County to Washington, D.C., and eventually Boston through a partnership with the Boston Red Sox Foundation, growing to serve over 25 new scholars annually. Through it all, the promising practices we observed were that young people need both meaningful opportunities and strong relationships to help them capitalize on those opportunities.Â
Twenty Years Later: The Legacy ContinuesÂ
Today, I lead an educational intervention company focused on strengthening relationships between educators and students, building life skills and equipping young people with the human skills they need to thrive. Our work centers on educator wellness, classroom connection and student resilience, because students thrive when educators thrive.Â
The lessons I learned through Start Something, the scholar program, my graduate research and the leadership at TGR Foundation directly shaped the educator and entrepreneur I am today. Â
What makes TGR Foundation special is the investment in human potential extended to the staff. The organizational culture was built around raising people up and helping them realize their full capabilities. The same values we taught young people character, confidence, leadership and personal growth were practiced internally every day.Â
Kathy, Cristina and my other colleagues didn’t just help me grow as an educator; they helped me see what I was capable of building. Working for an organization where the internal culture matches the external mission leaves a lasting impact.Â
While the educational landscape continues to evolve, the fundamental needs of young people haven’t changed: they need to feel seen and heard, they need caring adults who believe in them and they need opportunities to explore their potential.Â
Start Something didn’t just ask students to imagine who they wanted to become, it gave them direct experiences to start becoming that person. The relationships I built at TGR Foundation remain deeply meaningful to me, and the leadership of Earl and Tiger Woods, Kathy Bihr, Cristina Fernández, and many others continues to influence my work across the country.Â
I arrived at TGR Foundation a little rough around the edges with a passion for supporting youth, and I left with confidence, knowledge and purpose to start and build something of my own. Twenty years later, we are still seeing the ripple effects of what happens when someone is inspired to start something.Â
TGR Foundation has been driving dreams together in under-resourced communities since 1996. As we celebrate our 30-year anniversary, presented by EY, this reflection highlights the impact of our programs from organizational leaders throughout our history.Â
Learn more at TGRFoundation.org.
