"Power of choices changes your direction in life."
Giving back through life-changing experiences.
#PurposeDriven
About Path2Redemption
About Lester Young, Jr
About Lester Young, Jr
Path2Redemption is a 501c (3) non-profit organization that hosts workshops for anyone in need of assistance with transitioning back into society. Its mission is to provide formerly incarcerated individuals with the essential life skills needed for success. The organization also provides mentoring services for at-risk youth, in hopes of preventing them from entering through the pipeline to prison.
About Lester Young, Jr
About Lester Young, Jr
About Lester Young, Jr
At the age of 19, Lester was sentenced to serve life in prison for murder. During his time in prison, Lester began to create outlines, programs, and classes to instruct and mentor fellow inmates. He served a total of 22 years and 5 months before being paroled in 2015 at the age of 41. Today, Lester is a Transformational Speaker, Certified
At the age of 19, Lester was sentenced to serve life in prison for murder. During his time in prison, Lester began to create outlines, programs, and classes to instruct and mentor fellow inmates. He served a total of 22 years and 5 months before being paroled in 2015 at the age of 41. Today, Lester is a Transformational Speaker, Certified Life Coach, Facilitator for Boys Circle, as well as the author of "The 5 Stages of Incarceration". He is setting a new standard for “living a life of redemption”.
How you can help us
About Lester Young, Jr
How you can help us
Path2Redemption is always looking for volunteers and donors to assist in our mission of making a difference in our community, by providing assistance to those transitioning back into society after incarceration or simply aiding our youth through mentoring programs. Our Outreach Program also aids with the homeless population. Depending on
Path2Redemption is always looking for volunteers and donors to assist in our mission of making a difference in our community, by providing assistance to those transitioning back into society after incarceration or simply aiding our youth through mentoring programs. Our Outreach Program also aids with the homeless population. Depending on the time of year, Path2Redemption provides the necessities needed for survival for those less fortunate.
Lester Young Jr.
Executive Director
Mr. Young is setting a new standard for "living a life of redemption". His job focuses on training and educating formerly incarcerated individuals around advocacy and organizing. Lester is widely known for his work with the Mayor of Columbia, SC; in having the first statewide ordinance passed for "#Banthebox". This campaign gives incarcerated individuals the chance to complete applications without being discriminated against for past convictions.
Lester is always doing more to better himself. One year after his release, he founded the nonprofit organization “Path2Redemption” after his programs he taught in prison. He is the owner of “Young’s Integrity Pressure Washing”, a Certified Transformational Life Coach, Certified Disk Assessment Trainer, and he is a Certified Member of The Leadership Challenge
Felicia Young
MARKETING & DIGITAL DIRECTOR
Felicia Young, CEO of Youngs Solutions LLC., married her husband, Coach Lester Young, while he was still incarcerated. She spent 7 years fighting to erase the harsh reality and bitter stigmatism that society places upon women involved in relationships with men in prison. When Lester was released in May of 2015, the two strengthen their bond to prove that their marriage would not be another statistic of the odds not being in there favor.
In 2019, Felicia was introduced to another prison wife by the name of Jenice Green. Mrs. Green, the founder of "Women Outside of the Walls", was impressed with Felicia and Lester's story and after months of conversing, Jenice decided that Felicia would be a perfect fit for her organization and offered her a position in Marketing to take over and build the groups website.
In addition to her marketing duties, Felicia participated in monthly group chats for observation and training. She began talking and sharing information about her own personal experiences in hopes of providing emotional support that was needed to encourage and keep them focused on their journey.
In July 2020, Felicia enrolled into a Coaching Program offered by Champion Influence, and is now a Certified Life Coach. Coach Young
assists women in relationships with incarcerated men by helping them to overcome barriers and common misconceptions that are placed upon them. With her experience of once being a "prison wife", she's able to transform their feelings of insecurities by empowering them to:
- Develop an awareness of their past
- Identify what they want to achieve
- Acknowledge their insecurities
- Implement their plan of action
Once these steps are set in motion then they can become proud wives that publicly acknowledge their marriage despite the stigmatisms and odds against them.
Teshia McSwain
Director of Community Outreach
Teshia McSwain serves as The Community Outreach Director for Path2Redemption. It has always been her heart’s joy and desire to physically and emotionally engage with the community to empower, educate, and encourage. At an event for those formerly incarcerated, Teshia heard Mr. Lester Young speak. From that moment she knew his message is what people needed to hear.
Born and raised in Columbia S.C. Teshia, like her father, has always been socially and politically involved within the community . Her efforts to help more were intensified when she realized the needs of those in underserved communities were not being met. She made fliers that provided voter education and then distributed to various locations such as in high schools, local HBCU’s, barbershops, salons, laundromats, various community events, and in prisons.
Teshia strongly believes that you have to go where the people are, and in order for conditions to change, the elected officials that represent these communities must devote the time to hear the cries of their constituents. In addition, the officials need to address the issues of proper rehabilitation programs for those returning from prison, food shortages, lack of a good education, training resources, mental and emotional assistance, healthcare, housing, and those in need of transportation that many "Black and Brown" communities face.
Path2Redemption
Path2Redemption hosts and sponsors many outreach activities. From hosting pardon workshops, providing resources to the homeless, visiting youth detention centers, visiting prisons, and so much more!
Path2Redemption's Annual Conference provides those who have been formerly incarcerated the physical, mental, and emotional resources to get back on their feet. Each participant addresses the issues and barriers that people who have been formerly incarcerated, wayward youth, and those in underserved communities face, but don’t know how to overcome. The conference is held every November.
For more information on Path2Redemption, or if you're interested in becoming a sponsor for the upcoming conference, please click the link below and submit your request for details.
Path2Redemption Podcast
#Podcast
Join Lester on Monday mornings @9 am for your live daily dose of inspiration...
certifications
- Champion-Influenced Certified Life Coach
- Certified for Alternative to Violent/Non-Violent Conflict Resolution
- Certified Facilitator for "The Council for Boys and Young Men"
- Public Speaking
- Leadership Practices Inventory Coach
- Re-Entry Expert
- Certified Disc Assessment Facilitator
- Game Changers Elite Pro Speaker
Memberships
- The Talented Tenth
- 20/20 Bipartisan
- Affordable Housing Task Force Committee
- The Commission of Minority Affairs
- American Institute of Research
Pay it forward
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions for those currently incarcerated, as well as continue to provide youth mentoring for those that are at risk. We also use donations to send copies of "The Five Stages of Incarceration" into prisons, detention centers, and transitional homes in hopes of helping those incarcerated discover their own on personal journey of redemption.
