Tony Caine: Summit 54 (VIDEO)

Tony Caine has created four successful start-ups in his life and wanted to create one more that had meaning. In an interview with genConnect.com at the Aspen Ideas Festival, Caine talks passionately about that venture: The LJM Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to helping youth causes around the globe. The foundation’s latest mission: Summit 54, which provides inner-city youth the tools needed to become well-rounded adults.

In some inner-city high schools, where the graduation rate is below 50 percent, Summit 54 provides eighth grade students a 54-step program to successfully graduate and go on to college.  Those who complete the program (which is no easy task, requiring over 1,600 hours of commitment for academic, emotional and social development) receive financial support through college.

Each student receives a personalized road map and works closely with trained mentors and educators  that guide them to achieve success in all areas of life — school, career, fitness, spirituality, the arts and more.

“A goal without a plan is simply a dream,” Caine said.

Summit 54 is currently available in the suburbs of Chicago and Denver, and will be available in New York come 2011. For more information on Summit 54, visit the LJM Summit 54 website.

Tags: Chicago, Denver, Education, featured, LJM Foundation, New York, Social Issues, Summit 54, Tony Caine

Category: 2010 Aspen Ideas Festival, Charities & Causes, Giving Back, Videos