SESSION 1: HISTORY | MISSION | VISION
QUIZ
HISTORY
Dr. Lori Salierno, Founder and CEO of CLI, Inc. dba Teach One to Lead One ® (T1L1), spent several years working as a staff member at different churches throughout the U.S. At the same time, she spoke to audiences in different parts of the country as a public speaker. She spoke to colleges & universities, conventions, music festivals, women’s conferences, and large church staff. As she met people in different areas of the country and talked about challenges that kids were facing in each of those areas, she realized that her speaking platform was a means to an end. She decided to take the opportunity that different stages gave to her and use it to make a difference in the lives of kids. She distinctly felt that her calling was to put in motion a momentum that would impact young lives beyond her speaking audiences. She decided to start her work by establishing CLI, Inc.
Several of the people influenced by Dr. Salierno’s work began to encourage the creation of a nonprofit entity for the purpose of spreading her positive messages throughout the world.
In 1996, this body of individuals came together as an initial board of directors and applied for and received nonprofit corporate status under the Georgia Nonprofit Corporation Code. The U.S. Internal Revenue Service granted the newly formed corporation 501(c)(3) status on October 30, 1996. Thus, CLI, Inc. was born.
CLI, Inc. was established with the goal to positively impact young people by bringing them to an understanding of absolute truth through healthy mentoring relationships. The organization’s name was specifically selected to describe the approach that Dr. Salierno wanted to use as they helped young people find their unique purpose in life. The organization was designed to lift up tomorrow’s leaders for restoring the family, reviving the churches, and transforming society — Developing Leaders of Integrity.
In its first year, the organization reached over 150,000 students, women, and leaders through conferences challenging them to live above the level of mediocrity and make a positive contribution to those around them. CLI, Inc. first office was Dr. Salierno’s spare bedroom at her home. However, it was not long before the organization rented space at a local church in order to house its first two employees. By 1999, the organization had outgrown the space provided at the church and it relocated to larger facilities at 6060 Lake Acworth Drive in Acworth, Georgia. During the same year, the CLI staff completed the development of a youth development curriculum and piloted its first program under the name of Teach One to Lead One® (T1L1). This program was the birth of a philosophy that the organization has expanded into multiple areas of character and leadership development.
MISSION
Teach One to Lead One® is a community mentoring program that teaches universal principles to lead at-risk kids into a life of purpose and potential.
VISION
To transform at-risk kids into responsible citizens in every county in the United States of America and every nation and territory around the world.
PHILOSOPHY
TEACHING ABSOLUTE TRUTH IN THE CONTEXT OF A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP WITH A SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE AND CELEBRATION
3 Components of the Philosophy:
- Absolute Truth
- Healthy Relationships
- Adventures and Celebration