MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A nationally recognized youth mentor and nonprofit leader is in Hutchinson this week, sharing his story of transformation and offering strategies to help communities break the cycle of generational poverty.
Charles Lee, founder and CEO of “That’s My Child,” will speak at 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in downtown Hutchinson. His visit comes as part of a broader effort to bring innovative, community-based solutions to families facing long-term economic and social challenges.
Lee’s journey is one marked by hardship and redemption. Born in Chicago to parents struggling with addiction, he faced significant adversity from a young age, including homelessness, violence, and early involvement in drug activity. By his early teens, Lee had been shot and witnessed the death of a close friend. Later, after moving to Florida, he was arrested on felony charges and served time in prison.
It was during that period, Lee said, that he began to reflect on his life and ultimately committed to changing direction.
“I had to figure out why my childhood was the way it was,” Lee said. “And I felt called to go back and help young people avoid the same decisions that led me there.”
That calling led to the creation of “That’s My Child,” a nonprofit organization based in Montgomery, Alabama. The program focuses on mentoring youth through arts education, entrepreneurship and workforce development, with the goal of ending generational poverty.
Lee said many of the young people his organization serves come from environments marked by instability, including high rates of single-parent households and limited economic opportunity. In some neighborhoods, he noted, as many as 82% of homes are fatherless, and the average household income remains well below sustainable levels.
To address those challenges, the organization provides hands-on opportunities designed to expose youth to new career paths and life skills. One of its signature initiatives is a restaurant operated entirely by teenagers, giving participants their first job experience, financial literacy and a sense of responsibility.
Since its founding, Lee said the organization has helped place more than 2,000 young people in jobs and supported hundreds in pursuing higher education.
“We’ve seen students go from gang involvement to becoming doctors or serving in the military,” Lee said. “But it all starts with exposure — showing them what’s possible.”
Lee emphasized that generational poverty extends beyond income alone, encompassing education, environment and family structure. Breaking that cycle, he said, requires a comprehensive approach that includes mentorship, skill-building and community support.
During his Hutchinson visit, Lee plans to discuss how communities can adopt similar strategies through collaboration and local engagement. His presentation will also introduce the concept of “Hope City,” a model that includes education programs, trade training, parental support and housing solutions aimed at stabilizing families and creating long-term opportunity.
“We want to help communities build a system where young people and families can succeed,” Lee said. “It’s about giving them the tools and support to move forward.”
The public is invited to attend tonight's event, which organizers say will provide both inspiration and practical insight into addressing poverty at the local level.