Today we’d like to introduce you to Lasheena Williams.
Hi Lasheena, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I never set out thinking I would one day run a nonprofit. What I did know was that I had a heart for young people and a desire to serve my community in a deeper way. Back in 2012, I felt a pull — a nudge that said, “Start now. Start with what you have.” So I stepped out on faith, made a simple flier, and held the very first meeting for what would become L.O.V.E. Our Youth. Only one mentee showed up that day. And honestly, that one young person changed everything for me. That meeting reminded me that impact doesn’t start with crowds — it starts with connection. From there, mentors began to join in, offering their time, their gifts, and their hearts. Every meeting grew a little bigger. Every event revealed a new need. And slowly, what started as a small act of service turned into a movement. As we grew, I realized something important: our community didn’t need another organization trying to compete for attention. We needed collaboration. We needed people and partners who believed in lifting youth up together. That belief became our mantra and the foundation for our three channels of impact: L.O.V.E. Our Youth, L.O.V.E. Our Community, and L.O.V.E. Others. Today, we serve youth and families across Central Florida through mentorship, workshops, and special events — all designed to help young people embrace their self-worth, learn from life’s lessons, and step into their potential. And we don’t do it alone. Volunteers, organizations, and community partners walk alongside us, helping us create spaces where young people feel supported, valued, and seen. When I look back, I’m grateful I listened to that small nudge in 2012. What started with one flier and one mentee has grown into a community of hope, resilience, and opportunity. And we’re still growing. My vision — our vision — is that every young person, no matter their circumstances, has the chance to flourish. Together, we’re building something that will outlast all of us: a legacy of love.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The short answer is no, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. But every challenge has shaped who I am and what L.O.V.E. Our Youth has become. When I first started, I had the passion but not the roadmap. I was figuring things out as I went, learning how to run a nonprofit, how to build programs, how to find resources, and how to keep going even when things felt overwhelming. There were moments when I questioned whether I was doing enough or whether the vision was too big for the resources we had. One of the biggest struggles was simply being a new organization trying to gain trust and support. When you’re starting from scratch, you’re wearing every hat — planning events, recruiting mentors, fundraising, managing logistics, and still trying to show up fully for the youth. There were times when turnout was low, funding was tight, or I felt like I was pouring from an empty cup. But even in those hard seasons, something always reminded me of why I started. A mentee would share a win. A volunteer would step in at the perfect moment. A partner would open a door we didn’t expect. Those small signs kept me going. Another challenge was learning to embrace collaboration over competition. It’s easy to feel like you have to do everything alone, but I realized early on that our impact grows when we work together. That mindset shift took time, but it’s now the heart of who we are. Looking back, the road hasn’t been smooth, but it’s been meaningful. And next year we’ll be 15! Every struggle taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of community. And honestly, I wouldn’t trade the journey, because it’s made L.O.V.E. Our Youth stronger, more grounded, and more committed to serving youth and families with love and purpose.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
L.O.V.E. Our Youth is truly an extension of my heart for young people and the community. Our name, L.O.V.E., stands for Love Out Reach to Value and Empower Our Youth, and that meaning guides everything we do. I’ve always believed that love is something you put into action. It reaches out, it lifts up, and it creates opportunities for young people to thrive. Over time, our work naturally grew into three pillars. Each one serves a different purpose, but together they allow us to support youth, families, and the broader community in a meaningful and collaborative way.
L.O.V.E. Our Youth: This is the foundation of our organization, our 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm. Through this pillar, we provide programs and services that enrich the lives of children and adolescents across Central Florida. Our work is built on collaboration, guided by the Collective Impact Model and the 12 Sectors of Community. Whether we’re offering mentorship, workshops, or youth‑centered initiatives, our goal is always to help young people feel valued, supported, and empowered.
L.O.V.E. Our Community: As we grew, I realized that so many people wanted to serve but didn’t know where to start. L.O.V.E. Our Community was created to remove those barriers. We connect professionals, families, and individuals with volunteer opportunities that align with their passions and schedules. Some join us as event volunteers, while others support us behind the scenes as capacity‑building volunteers. This pillar is all about making service accessible and helping people plug into meaningful work that strengthens our community.
L.O.V.E. Others: This pillar is where collaboration truly comes to life. L.O.V.E. Others is our fee‑for‑service program, designed for organizations that believe in supporting youth and want help bringing their ideas to life. We offer project management expertise in event and program management, from planning to execution, to create positive, unforgettable experiences for the Orlando community. Through our four modes of service, we help partners make a bigger impact with clarity, structure, and heart.
What sets us apart is our commitment to collaboration over competition. We don’t believe in trying to do everything alone. Instead, we focus on building partnerships, strengthening existing efforts, and creating opportunities for others to get involved. I’m incredibly proud of the way our pillars work together, each one expanding our reach and deepening our impact.
What I want readers to know is this: L.O.V.E. Our Youth is built on service, community, and genuine care. We’re here to uplift young people, support families, and bring people together to create lasting change. Every program, every volunteer opportunity, every partnership is rooted in the belief that when we value and empower our youth, we strengthen our entire community.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I love books that challenge me to level up how I operate. I’m especially drawn to practical reads that help me strengthen processes, refine systems, and steward my time with greater intention. The most impactful books for me are the ones I can immediately apply to my leadership and daily execution.
A few favorites include:
– Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell
– First Things First by Stephen R. Covey
– Redeeming Your Time by Jordan Raynor
Each of these offers actionable frameworks for prioritization and designing systems that support sustainable growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://loveouryouth.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loveouryouthinc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loveouryouth/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/l-o-v-e-our-youth-inc/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsEjnFOgbWtSjQPVbZLuqFQ
Image Credits
Kossina Creative Photography
