REFLECTING ON A YEAR OF IMPACT - president, Lyle Thompson

Friends and Supporters of 4 The Future Foundation,

As we approach the end of another remarkable year, I am honored to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who has been a part of our journey at 4 The Future Foundation. Your support has been instrumental in driving positive change and creating a lasting impact. I invite you to explore our Annual Report and reflect on our collective achievements.

Our commitment to empowerment has fueled initiatives that uplift communities. Through your generosity, we have been able to positively impact 5 communities in 2023, making a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve.

Innovation is crucial to our mission, and we illustrate how we've leveraged it to tackle critical challenges, including the revitalization of our culture. Through your support, we introduced cultural workshops that unite various elements of our heritage by involving community members. This initiative aims to share and honor our traditions, fostering a deeper connection within our community.

None of our accomplishments would be possible without the invaluable partnerships we've forged. Your support has strengthened our collaborations, allowing us to extend our influence to more communities and broaden our reach in effecting positive change.

Education is a cornerstone of our efforts, and the Annual Report sheds light on the transformative impact we've had on sharing the history of the game we love through educational workshops.

As we celebrate these achievements, it is important to recognize that our work is ongoing. Challenges persist, and there is much more to be done. With your continued support, we can amplify our impact and make an even greater difference in the coming year.

Whether you have been a long-standing supporter or are considering joining our cause, your contribution matters. Together, we can shape a brighter future for all.

Thank you for being an integral part of 4 The Future Foundation's success.

Nya:weh,

Lyle Thompson

President, 4 The Future Foundation

See our work in action

2023 Events in Review

3 Clinics

We partnered with City Lax to provide a free clinic to their registered participants! With money fundraised from the event, we donated NOCSAE-compliant shoulder pads and goalie gear for their upcoming season.
View the full gallery here.
In partnership with the Georgia Swarm, who have fostered a relationship with this community for three years, we provided a free after-school clinic to the Cherokee community.
View the full gallery here.
We visited Akwesasne for a whole day of activities! The focus was on mindfulness, culture, and lacrosse with stations such as;
Yoga & meditation: Lyle and Jeremy Thompson
Wooden stick demonstration: Jack Johnson
Stick stringing: Miles and Hiana Thompson
Corn washing and braiding: Brooke Rice
Cornbread: Dee Thompson
Traditional foods: Turk Jock and Azure Brown
Seeds: Tina Square
This day was made possible by the sponsorship of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe.
View the full gallery here.

2 Speaking engagements

Lyle and Jeremy were guest speakers at the Lax and Lead camp during this summer. Lax and Lead is a lacrosse camp that focuses on developing leadership skills and emphasizes the significance of being part of something bigger than yourself. It was a great experience working with this group, and we are excited to connect with more campers during the upcoming summer season!
Lyle spoke to Durham Academy this fall on the game's roots, the importance of culture in today’s game, and his journey. The students were engaged through the talk and showed further support by starting a GoFundMe to donate to the foundation.
Nya:Weh to the Bell family for coordinating this event!
View the talk here!

1 Workshop

We rolled out our new workshop model with Cherokee Middle & High School. We are implementing this whole-child approach to speak on subjects such as mental health, substance abuse, the importance of education, and valuing the medicine in lacrosse.
Workshops are tailored to the audience; Cherokee’s presentation included the following speakers:
Two representatives from Cherokee presented the history and cultural significance of of stickball to students.
Lyle, Hiana, and Jeremy followed up by speaking on the Creators Game, relating similar aspects between lacrosse and stickball and the impact of the medicine game on their individual journeys.
Dr. Natalie Welch presented on opportunities to be involved in sports beyond playing.
Following the speaking series, the Thompsons spent two days in the PE classes, teaching the game of lacrosse to over 150 students.

1 new team

Our partnership with USA Lacrosse has allowed Cherokee High School to start a Flex Sticks program, supplying them with equipment to start, coaches training, and the ability for the Thompsons to visit the team monthly.

“Along with the cultural connections that we obviously have to the game of lacrosse, we’re also hitting a demographic of student athletes who may not typically play football, baseball, things of that nature. We’re able to get more kids involved in something they can look forward to; it’s a new activity to keep them busy and productive.” - Jae Winchester, director of the Joyce Dugan Cultural Arts Center. Read the full article here.

Pictured above: Lyle Thompson speaking to the Cherokee High School team during an after-school practice.

Pictured above: The first practice ball of Cherokee High School's club, signed by its founding players.

Video above: Miles Thompson working with a Cherokee High School player. The team traveled to watch the Georgia Swarm in action on Native Heritage Night. This was their first live lacrosse game for more than half the players.