Teen Profiles

Teens of Tomorrow has always been a mom and pop program that has been fully operated by a husband and wife team right here in the Omaha metro. These two people have dedicated their adult lives to this program and the teens in it.  Pop was introduced to this program at just 20 years old and fell in love with it. And brought the idea to Omaha/Lincoln, where his mom grew up, with a dream to make a difference in the community.  Mom was only 19 when she was introduced.

Pop started here in Omaha/Lincoln in 1998 when he moved her to take care of his grandma, who he use to visit in the summer.  Mom grew up in north Omaha off 16th and Binney and met pop when she was 19y/o.  They have raised 6 kids of their own and had 2 surrogate babies to help other families achieve their dreams.  Mom went through nursing school when she was a new mom and continued to work full time while helping to push the program forward.  Pop spends 40-60 hours a week with the teens in the program.

Through the 30 years of this program, pop spends every single day striving to make it better.  When he is not out with the kids, he is home working on speeches, cards, and coming up with ideas to make this program fun, educational, and even being the mechanic to the many vans over the years.  Mom is a registered nurse and keeps the house financially stable so the program can continue.  When she is not at her nursing job, she is doing everything she can to make this program run like calling kids/parents, obtaining permits, maintaining the website, etc.

Both of them do fun activities with the teens.  Even their own children join in the fun sometimes and have all participated in the program.   Mom and Pop have been running this program in the Omaha/Lincoln Metro for over 25 years.  They have helped over 5000 teens in this area.  Sometimes, when pop goes to pick up a new kid, their dad will come to the door to say hi because he was part of our program as a teen.  Pop does make a wage but it is equal to or less than the monies received by the teen at your door.  Also equally, if its hot outside, he does not run the air in the van for himself.  If its colder outside, he does not run the heat in the van for himself as he drives around checking on and mentoring the teens.  He is also handing out heated vests, gloves, and water bottles at the teens request.  Pop is more than just a boss to these teens.

He is a father figure, sometimes an uncle, sometimes a brother, friend, and voice of life advice to many of them.  The teens that stay with the program for a while become part of their family.  Mom and pop get invited to graduations, weddings, the birth of a child, even getting haircuts by their graduated barber.  A lot of the graduated teens from the program even showed up to pops surprise birthday party.  The teens in this program have come to other family birthday parties, their family farm, and watched their own kids grow up.  Hundreds of teens have stayed in touch over the years.  They have lived in the same 1,000sqft house and raised their 6 kids in, ran the program from, and they still live in to this day.  Over the years, many things have been sacrificed by mom and pop to keep the program going.  Their wish, is to one day, have the program fully supported by the community so they will no longer have to worry about the finances and the future of the program.  The program has only been funded by the generosity of the people at the door and one donation from veridian bank because they voted us the best non-profit in the area.  BUT they are not the only ones to help raise these teens.  Each one of you in the community that has ever given advice, a kind word, or encouragement has help to mold these teens into bright young adults.

This program isn’t just about the teens in it, it’s about the community as well.  Each person that has opened their door has helped to mold these teens into bright young men and women.  Without the support from the Omaha and Lincoln community, Teens of Tomorrow would not have lasted this long.

Hi, my name is Eli and I have been with teens of tomorrow for almost a year now, and I really appreciate what this job has done for me and my family.  I always hated the stereotypes about black people and how they will just stay in drugs, gangs, and violence but now I have learned that I can make it out of the hood and be successful!  When I go out to these big houses, I know that these people were determined to work and strive.  That is something I have always admired.  Every once in a while, I see some black people in these nice neighborhoods and that motivates me knowing its possible to achieve.  Reaching the heights they have reached inspires me.  I have always loved houses and it is an addiction! Which is why my career choice is real estate.  This job helps with that because it has something to do with sales and salesmanship.  I am turning into a good salesman and because real estate is all about connection, this job is really good because I get to meet people.  I have met 3 realtors so far, all black and living in luxurious homes. I want to be like them one day.  That is my life goal, to be a successful realtor and have a family that is financially free.

Well, I’m Eli and thank you for listening to me.

Have a good day!

Hello, my name is Jayvion.  Working with TOT has helped me with job skills such as public speaking, communication, patience, and work ethic. I’ve been working at Teens of Tomorrow since mid-October in 2022. TOT has helped me a lot, whether that be skills, money, activities, and more.  I’ve made money, and I’ve enjoyed myself, not to mention the people I’ve met on routes.  One important thing I have learned working here is never give up. My goals here at Teens of Tomorrow are to learn things like money management, business skills, salesman skills, and marketing strategies.

Thank you

My name is Johnny and I have been with Teens of Tomorrow for 6 years.  My goal is to become a real estate agent and Teens of Tomorrow has offered to pay for my schooling through the donations I raise.  I am asking for your support in my cause in raising enough donations to pay my tuition.  Teens of Tomorrow will be posting updates about my education on Facebook if you would like to follow my journey.

Hello my name is kentrell i have been with teens of tomorrow since April 2025 working with teens of tomorrow taught me Consistency, money management, and anger management, and Communication skills when i started i was nervous to even look at the people when saying my speech but as time went by i got comfortable. And i also enjoy the fun activities and the people that i met at teens of tomorrow.