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LeMo: Creating a Dream-Come-True World (Continued from page 9) because he went through m<strong>an</strong>y of the same things they are going though when he was their age. He opens up <strong>an</strong>d shares his own story to the youth, who then in turn c<strong>an</strong> relate to him, <strong>an</strong>d they cry together. Using resources, connections to make dreams come true <strong>The</strong> youth tell Taufoou what their dreams are, <strong>an</strong>d Taufoou, who had a successful football career, uses his extensive resources <strong>an</strong>d connections to help make those dreams come true. “We help them be who they w<strong>an</strong>t to be <strong>an</strong>d always thought they could be,” Taufoou explained. “What we really do is build these kids from the inside out.” One large family For the Taufoous, who do not have biological children, the youth they work with every day are their kids. And m<strong>an</strong>y of the teens consider the Taufoous family as well. Some even call Ali Taufoou “Mama <strong>Be</strong>ar.” “That’s kind of my nickname now,” she said. “I love it.” A full-time job <strong>an</strong>d then some Running LeMo is a full-time job for David Taufoou, who has a variety of responsibilities, including working on emails <strong>an</strong>d putting the program together. “We’re literally seven days a week,” he said. “Our kids are calling us on Sunday. <strong>It</strong>’s intense.” Ali Taufoou works for LeMo in addition to holding <strong>an</strong>other job as office m<strong>an</strong>ager/marketing coordinator for the Riekes Center for Hum<strong>an</strong> Enh<strong>an</strong>cement in Menlo Park. “My husb<strong>an</strong>d <strong>an</strong>d I eat, breathe <strong>an</strong>d sleep this,” she said. “We just w<strong>an</strong>t to see them succeed.” <strong>The</strong> rock <strong>an</strong>d compass for youth Throughout the Pacific Isl<strong>an</strong>ds, the word “liahona” me<strong>an</strong>s rock <strong>an</strong>d the word “motu” me<strong>an</strong>s compass. Similarly, the goal of LeMo is to be a rock <strong>an</strong>d a compass for youth in need <strong>an</strong>d help guide them to success. <strong>The</strong> “l” in LeMo st<strong>an</strong>ds for leadership, the “e” for ecosystem, the “m” for motivation <strong>an</strong>d the “o” for ownership, all of which are import<strong>an</strong>t components of success. Twins turn their lives around Twin sisters Lupe <strong>an</strong>d Mele Kaususi, who live in East Palo Alto <strong>an</strong>d are being raised by their single mother, came to LeMo in 2009 with lessth<strong>an</strong>-2-point GPAs. But now, th<strong>an</strong>ks to LeMo, the 17-year-olds are excelling academically. In fact, during their time with the org<strong>an</strong>ization they have gotten their GPAs as high as 3.6 <strong>an</strong>d 3.8, according to David Taufoou. When Lupe Kaususi first came to LeMo, she wasn’t interested in school <strong>an</strong>d was skipping classes. But now she enjoys school <strong>an</strong>d is looking forward to going to college. “LeMo helped me with studying skills,” she said. “<strong>It</strong> has encouraged me to go to school, to have a goal, to have a picture in life after school, a place to go <strong>an</strong>d talk. LeMo has really turned my life around. I was thinking of going to Cal [the University of California at <strong>Be</strong>rkeley]. I like the <strong>Be</strong>ars. Or possibly out of state. I would recommend LeMo to everybody. LeMo is like a family.” Lupe Kaususi, who enjoys volleyball, also has been able to do that with LeMo. “He [David] never lets us stop [chasing] our dreams,” she said. “He always makes us go further. Ali, she’s really big in my life, too. She’s like <strong>an</strong> older sister to me. She’s always on my case. She always makes sure I do my homework. She always makes sure I go to my workouts. I love them to death. I don’t know what I’d do without them.” Mele Kaususi, who loves to d<strong>an</strong>ce, participated in her first professional competition this year, something she wouldn’t have done without encouragement from LeMo. “If it wasn’t for them to give that little push, I wouldn’t have done it,” she stressed. Her next competition is in February. “I c<strong>an</strong>’t wait for that one,” she said. Concluded Mele Kaususi: “I just love them so much. Without them, I wouldn’t have that drive to success. I wouldn’t have goals. I’d probably be so lazy that I’d w<strong>an</strong>t to live with my mom for the rest of my life. <strong>The</strong>y’re giving us a taste of life <strong>an</strong>d pushing us to do something. I think everybody should know about LeMo. <strong>It</strong>’s the best program I’ve ever been in. <strong>It</strong>’s like we’re a big old family.” Starting the school year off right When Leo Koloamat<strong>an</strong>gi, 17, who lives in East Palo Alto <strong>an</strong>d attends Sacred Heart Prep in Atherton, first came to LeMo this past June, he had a 2.9 GPA <strong>an</strong>d was fine with that. But now, after a summer with LeMo, he realizes how much he c<strong>an</strong> improve <strong>an</strong>d is ready to do a better job this school year. “I have never felt better starting off the semester,” he said. Koloamat<strong>an</strong>gi w<strong>an</strong>ts to play Division I football <strong>an</strong>d is confident that he c<strong>an</strong> do that th<strong>an</strong>ks to LeMo. Koloamat<strong>an</strong>gi, who was raised by his gr<strong>an</strong>dfather, said the Taufoous are like parents he’s never had. “We have a relationship that close,” he said. A lot of sacrifices <strong>The</strong> Taufoous made a lot of sacrifices to make LeMo happen. <strong>The</strong>y invested more th<strong>an</strong> $100,000 of their own money, according to David Taufoou. <strong>The</strong>y sold both of their cars <strong>an</strong>d also left their one-bedroom apartment <strong>an</strong>d moved in with David Taufoou’s best friend, Scott Probst, who is on LeMo’s board of directors. <strong>It</strong>’s all been worth it, though, the couple stressed, because they have been able to help teens in need succeed. First fundraiser a success In August, LeMo held its first fundraiser, a poker tournament at Paul’s Diner in S<strong>an</strong> Mateo. <strong>The</strong> event raised $4,000 for the org<strong>an</strong>ization. <strong>The</strong> Taufoous were able to do back-to-school shopping for the teens <strong>an</strong>d get them things they need to be successful this school year. <strong>The</strong> Taufoous also are trying to find private donors to contribute to LeMo. Additionally, they pl<strong>an</strong> to hold a golf tournament next summer that will generate more money for the nonprofit, David Taufoou said. A dream-come-true world for those who have never tasted it Th<strong>an</strong>ks to LeMo, economically <strong>an</strong>d socially challenged high school students in the Bay Area have positive role models who c<strong>an</strong> take a me<strong>an</strong>ingful role in their lives <strong>an</strong>d put them on the right path. LeMo provides youth in need with hope, stability, self-esteem <strong>an</strong>d inspiration. <strong>It</strong> also helps them realize their true potential, make positive ch<strong>an</strong>ges in their lives <strong>an</strong>d follow their dreams. LeMo teaches youth in need how to win in the classroom, how to win on the field <strong>an</strong>d, most import<strong>an</strong>tly, how to win in the game of life. “We try to create a dream-come-true world for the kids that have never gotten a ch<strong>an</strong>ce to taste it,” David Taufoou said. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 33
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