About Lead4Life Inc.

Follow a manual added linkLink to: ReferralsLink to: Get InvolvedLink to: ProgramsLink to: Donate

Who We Are

Lead4Life, Inc. (L4L) was founded in 2008 in an effort to reduce the number of youth and young adults entering the juvenile justice system, as well as many out-of-home placements, and the youth recidivism rate in our surrounding communities. Our programs are developed utilizing restorative justice, strength-based models, trauma-informed approaches, client-centered practices, and community service initiatives. Together, we are the village making a difference.

OUR STORY

Our story began in 2008, after our founder, Jennifer Gauthier, known to our participants and their families as “Ms. Jen,” had dedicated countless hours working with multiple non-profits and decided that she wanted to start one of her own. As a child, Gauthier overcame the challenges of domestic violence and teen pregnancy, and as an adult she turned homelessness into financial independence—so she understood the fundamental need of empathy and compassion.

From her own life experiences and from serving the community, she recognized her calling to “serve the underserved”—by helping youth and adults in the criminal justice system—and set out to make her vision a reality. With hard work and determination, Lead4Life has evolved into a family of inspiring individuals—staff, mentors, volunteers, and participants—who come together to make a powerful, positive change.

OUR MISSION

Lead4Life’s mission is to empower individuals to overcome adversity by providing the tools to guide them through their journey with authenticity and transparency.

Lead4Life Logo
Top Rated BadgeCARF Gold Seal Award

CORE VALUES

Integrity: We demonstrate the qualities of honesty, equity, and moral principles. These unify us as a team while we uphold the highest level of ethical standards as we serve the community and our participants.

Balance: We acknowledge that achieving a good work-life balance is essential to high performance which translates directly into success and unparalleled results within a productive work environment and in the lives of each participant.

Accountability: We take the initiative to own our responsibilities and to exceed expectations. We are accountable to one another, our participants, our partners, and the organization.

Teamwork: We work collaboratively to be more effective, efficient, and enhance each individual’s leadership abilities and goals to ensure participants and team members reach their fullest potential while ensuring equality.

Commitment: We are devoted to having a growth mindset to do what it takes to support our participants, team members, and community members to contribute to our vision as an organization.

How We’ve Helped the Community

11,285

Total Served

2,107

Thanksgiving Baskets
Provided to Families

637

Winter Coats
Provided to Families

2,835

Food Boxes
Delivered to Families

LEADERSHIP

Jennifer Gauthier

Founder & Executive Director

As the Founder and Executive Director of Lead4Life, Inc., Jennifer Gauthier brings personal experience and professional training to her work of empowering adolescents and young adults in the criminal justice system.

Gauthier graduated from Springfield College with a Bachelor of Science and Master of Social Work. With her ample knowledge from working with high risk youth and their families, Ms. Gauthier utilizes her voice and natural passion to inspire and promote positive change in the daily lives of the young men and women she encounters. As a firm believer in restorative practices, strength-based programs, and accessible services, Gauthier hopes sharing her own challenges and victories will help at least one person on their journey to self-discovery and successful independence.

EXECUTIVE TEAM

Jennifer Gauthier – Founder & Executive Director
Email: gauthier@lead4lifeinc.org
Phone: 301-672-4319

Michael Shaw – Chair
Founder & Managing Partner, Shaw Law Group
Email: michael@theshawlawgroup.com
Phone: 202-664-0765

William Huber – Vice Chair
Huber Law
Email: billhuber@huberlaw.org
Phone: 410-961-6914

Steve Wolf – Treasurer
Partner, UHY-US LLP
Email: SWolf@uhy-us.com
Phone: 410-423-4859

BOARD MEMBERS

Lewis Burroughs III — Member
Vice President, PNC Bank
Email: lewis.burroughsiii@pnc.com
Phone: 443-694-0027

Eric Kratz — Member
CFO, N. H. Yates
Email: erkratz@nhyates.com

Marcella L. Mulhollem, Ph.D. — Member
Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Maryland at Eastern Shore
Email: mlmulhollem@umes.edu
Phone: 410-651-7336

Jason Phillips — Member
Email: jason.phillips@maryland.gov

Linda Currie — Advisor
DC Chamber of Commerce
Email: curriel190@gmail.com
Phone: 301-523-0046

Lead4Life Team Contact List

Jennifer Gauthier
Founder & Executive Director
gauthier@lead4lifeinc.org
Mobile: 301-672-4319

Image Placeholder WooCommerce – Lead4Life, Inc.

Maryanne Joynes
Chief Administrator
mjoynes@lead4lifeinc.org
Phone: 410-746-8673

Qur'an Gauthier, Human Resource Assistant – Lead4Life, Inc.

Qur’an Gauthier
Operations Manager
qgauthier@lead4lifeinc.org
Office: 301-279-8800
Mobile: 443-484-6179

Image Placeholder WooCommerce – Lead4Life, Inc.

Kaitlyn Smith
Program Director
ksmith@lead4lifeinc.org
Phone: 443-354-6131

Image Placeholder WooCommerce – Lead4Life, Inc.

Marcus Shoulders
Lead Care Coordinator
mshoulders@lead4lifeinc.org
Phone: 443-754-8742

Brandon White
Youth Gun Diversion Program Coordinator
white@lead4lifeinc.org
Phone: 410-713-8439

Image Placeholder WooCommerce – Lead4Life, Inc.

Darienne Dennis
Child Placement Worker
ddennis@lead4lifeinc.org
Phone: 443-589-4277

Image Placeholder WooCommerce – Lead4Life, Inc.

Keshauna Banks
Outreach Specialist
kbanks@lead4lifeinc.org
Phone: 443-741-5081

PROUD TO PARTNER WITH THESE BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS