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 communities in 2024, 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

2024 Events in Review

5 Clinics

In partnership with the Georgia Swarm, who have fostered a relationship with this community for three years, we provided free clinics to the Cherokee community and had over 100 participants.
We partnered with Massachusetts Youth Lacrosse (MYL) to provide a clinic to registered participants during the MYL Jamboree!
We visited Allegheny, NY for a clinic which was a ton of fun! We had 50 clinic participants and enjoyed partnering with Wolfpack Lacrosse to help teach the basics of box lacrosse.
Thanks to help from our board members Corey Hinton and Hiana Thompson, we were able to put on two clinics in Maine serving over 60 kids.

1 Speaking engagement

Jeremy and Hiana attended and spoke at the 2024 New England Youth Lacrosse Convention!

4 Stick Drops

We supported Saginaw Chippewa Elementary School by donating 25 sticks and a bucket of balls.
We donated 30 sticks to the Maliseet community in Maine
We supported Ganienkeh Gunnars Lacrosse by donating 20 sticks to help support their program and lower the barrier to entry.
We donated equipment and swag to PNW Lacrosse for their playday in Washington

2 Workshops

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.
Hiana ran a station at the Family Field Day hosted by the Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake and spoke with community members throughout the day. It was a great experience working with this group, and we are excited for more opportunities like this one in the future!