Encouraging youth to overcome challenging circumstances.

At the Lonnie Morris Foundation, we embrace and understand the true value of hands-on parents in their child’s education

This collaborative approach strengthens their strides together for success. Such a supportive environment heightens academic achievements.

Our program design is crafted so that all students have an opportunity to thrive, if they are willing to embrace challenges in pursuit of success.

Education shall always be the tool that develops and equip young minds, to achieve a brighter future.

So accompany us in our mission, to nurture and expand young minds, to become future leaders in their communities..

Our Mission

Our mission is to encourage, inspire, and nurture youth to overcome challenging circumstances, envision their futures, and become leaders in their communities.

Our Vision

Our work to strengthen youth through family support, community interaction, college exploration, mentorship, dynamic speakers, and field experiences will, in turn, strengthen communities.

LONNIE MORRIS FOUNDATION PROGRAMS

Lonnie Morris College Program (Est 2011)
  An enrichment program providing students with mentors to support their development of leadership skills.  A yearly tour of Historically Black Universities along with neighboring universities.

Good Citizen Program (Est 2015)
   Elementary school, Middle School, High School
  Each group to answer questions in writing and read aloud to group. 

Driver’s Training Fee Assistance (Est 2024)
   For 16-17 yr old students who passed DMV written test. Only 3 sessions will be covered.

Memorial Weekend Basketball Tournament ( Est 2024)
  Tryouts and practices for both boys and girls.
  AAU rules and parent to travel with students. 

Mix Tag Team Half Court Shot (Est 2024)
    One female and one male. Each get one shot at different baskets at the half time of the Boys Varsity game. If one person makes their shot they both win $50 cash each. (Home Games only)

Mix Tag Team 35 yard Field Goal Kick (Est 2024)
  One female and one male. Each get one kick at the same goal post. At the half time of Boys Varsity game. If one person’s kick is successful they each win $50 cash. 

Annual Christmas Gift Program (Est 2024)
   Must live in Chester, PA and household monthly income is $2,000 or less. Must have school age children living in the household.

  • This year in the Lonnie Morris College Program we traveled to the beautiful exotic tourist attraction of Orlando, Florida. To start, everyone knows Florida is known for its white sand, clear water beaches and of course Disney World. But it is also known for some of the best colleges in the country. I learned the University of Central Florida (UCF) is the second largest university in the nation. My favorite thing about UCF was their campus was very big. Our final tour was the University of Tampa, my favorite school. Their campus was gorgeous and you could tell that very sophisticated people went there, such as our tour guide. There is a lake by the school where you could see dolphins and manatees at any time of the day. The dorms were gorgeous as well and you could see the campus from any room. After leaving this amazing school, we celebrated at Disney World. I had never been to Disney World or Disneyland, so this was a very fun experience, no matter how hot and humid it was. This was by far the best tour I had been on.

    Mariah

  • My son, Isaiah, joined the Lonnie Morris Program in 2011. He went on a couple of college tours. After graduating high school, he attended UNLV to study computer science. He enjoyed all the guest speakers, but his favorite was the Tuskegee Airman.

    Patricia Demby (Mom)

    Isaiah (son)

  • My son, Kamren, enrolled in the Lonnie Morris Program in 2011. We went on several college tours, and enjoyed all of our guest speakers. My son loved meeting the Tuskegee Airman. The Lonnie Morris Program gave me the courage to enroll in college myself as a parent. I received my AA degree in Liberal Arts and my AS degree in Business Administration and Management. I’m currently pursuing my BA degree in Business Administration. I just took to the program’s slogan “Just Do The Darn Thing”.

    Larry Thompson (Dad)

    Kamren (son)

  • We went to 4 different colleges in Florida. Those colleges included Bethune Cookman, University of Central Florida, University of South Florida and the University of Tampa. My favorite schools were Bethune-Cookman and the University of Tampa. I enjoyed the college tours a lot and learned a lot of new things about colleges that I had not known before. One of those things were that you can choose your own schedule in college(usually), and that you can be undecided with your major as an incoming freshman. Personally, Bethune Cookman was my favorite school and it is an HBCU, which is a main goal of mine. The reason being is that it is a very small school with a pretty campus, and has a lot of history behind it. Plus, their students seemed very relaxed compared to the other schools.

    Shanyce

  • I was able to experience many different colleges and find what interests of mine they have. I’d have to say my favorite colleges were University of South Florida and the University of Tampa. I really enjoy participating in this program because it helps give me an idea of what I want to do in the future and what I should do. The Lonnie Morris College Program is very beneficial to every student that goes through and participates in the program. The actual touring of colleges gives participants an idea of what they want and expands their horizons.

    Vanessa

  • In my sophomore year of high school, we took a trip to Washington, D.C., and Maryland. We were able to see the White House, Martin Luther King Jr Memorial site, and visit the historical colleges that are so prestigious including, Howard University, Bowie State University and of course Morgan State University. In the sum of all the doctors, judges, scientists, accountants, district attorneys and more that came, we had two forensic psychologists Mac and Jeanne Nidorf. Mrs. Jeanne said, “you can make it regardless of where you come from and who tells you that you can’t. The only person stopping you, is you". College is all about experiences but it is also about what you want to gain out of it. Opportunities should be limitless and the only person that can hold you back, is you.

    Monique

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