After eight years of research, including the evaluation and funding of many children’s programs by the Holthouse Foundation for Kids, community leader, philanthropist and entrepreneur Michael Holthouse and his wife, Lisa, have founded Prepared 4 Life (P4L), a not-for-profit organization that is developing innovative after-school programs for middle-school youth in Houston.  In conjunction with the successful “After School All-Stars” initiative and other community partners, Prepared 4 Life focuses on building assets in middle-school-aged kids by integrating life skills, character education and entrepreneurship with engaging, experiential, fun after-school activities.

Prepared 4 Life has partnered with pioneers in the field of social-emotional and academic development to create a solid team of agencies and institutions with proven abilities to transform the youth of Houston’s community into future contributing members of society.  Some of these organizations and initiatives include Search Institute (40 Developmental Assets), Baylor College of Medicine, Arise Life Skills, Houston Independent School District, Harris County Department of Education (CASE), Junior Achievement and After-School All-Stars.  Together they are committed to creating and sustaining an after-school movement capable of transforming the lives of middle-schoolers in Houston and across Harris and surrounding counties.

Next: Why Middle School?