the team
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
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.