In the bustling city of Atlanta, Future Foundation is dedicated to empowering young people to thrive academically, socially, and personally. Future Foundation’s success is measured not merely by statistics but by the core values guiding its mission – stewardship, love, and kindness. Through these principles, we can create an environment where students not only graduate high school but flourish in every aspect of their lives. With a 100% high school graduation rate among its participants, it is evident that Future Foundation’s approach is making a meaningful difference in its community.
We recently experienced an incredible example of these virtues when a thirteen-year-old’s wallet was found and returned a whole four decades later. It was our very own, Ronnette Smith whose wallet was found. Ronnette is the CEO of Future Foundation, and when a stranger reached out to her from Omaha, Nebraska, to return a wallet she found, she was in complete shock. The wallet was filled with decades-old photos bearing Smith’s name during a routine office repair in Omaha. Determined to reunite the precious memories with their rightful owner, this hero, whom we now know as Jennifer Becher Eno, set out on a mission that would ultimately connect two women with a shared history.

The reunion of Smith with her long-lost wallet became more than just a personal discovery… It became a testament to the power of kindness and connection. Ronnette Smith says she is still learning about the inner workings of leading an inner city non-profit that focuses on disrupting intergenerational poverty. Still, the kindness of a stranger from Nebraska reinforces her belief that kindness and love still exist in an often angry world.

This parallel between the generosity of a stranger and what we aim to achieve at Future Foundation is profoundly similar. We want our students to cultivate these impactful qualities because we want them to be a positive force in a world filled with negativity.
Fostering Virtuous Future Leaders
We all play a pivotal role in shaping the character and values of students. Whether you’re a parent, a teacher, or a volunteer, we can all play a part. Find out how you can help cultivate your children and students into becoming the leaders of tomorrow.
Stewardship – Nurturing our planet and communities
Stewardship, at its core, is the responsible management and care of resources entrusted to us. Whether it is the planet we inhabit, the schools we learn in, or the homes we rest our heads, we can all make conscious choices that contribute positively to the greater good.
Take it a step further:
- Model sustainable practices – We can demonstrate responsible environmental habits at home, such as recycling, conserving energy, and reducing waste.
- Get involved in community service – We can engage our families in community service projects that focus on environmental initiatives or even school clean-ups that help keep our places of learning clean.
Kindness – The effect of compassion
Kindness is a language that transcends language barriers and connects each of us. Acts of kindness, no matter how small, profoundly impact the lives of both the giver and the receiver… Similar to the experience of our CEO and her lost wallet.
Take it a step further:
- Teach the power of words – Emphasize the impact of words on others. Encourage positive communication. Remind your children and students that their words have the power to uplift or hurt and that kindness is a priority.
- Practice gratitude – Help your students cultivate gratitude by regularly expressing thanks for the people and experiences in their lives. Gratitude is essential to promote a positive outlook on life and an appreciation for what they have.
Love – Transformative power
- Create a supportive environment – Foster an emotionally supportive environment where students and children can feel accepted, heard, and loved. Open communication and active listening create the foundation for strong emotional well-being.
- Encourage self-love and positive self-talk – Help children and students recognize their strengths, embrace their uniqueness, and encourage them to do the same for their friends and peers.
By actively incorporating these practices, we can all contribute to the development of thriving, confident, and empowered leaders who will lead with compassion and mindfulness.
The ripple effect
While we may not be able to control the actions of others, we can control our own, and we never know what kind of impact our actions will have on others. Our CEO, Ronnette Smith, made a new friend in Jennifer Becher Eno, transcending miles between Atlanta and Omaha. As Ronnette said, “This whole experience serves as an incredible reminder that life can sometimes bring together people who are just meant to be friends.” Now that is impact.