Effort Love Action and Determination
Empowering at-risk youth through education, athletics, entertainment, and the arts to build confident, intelligent leaders.
Through the Lens of Giving: ELAD in Pictures
About E.L.A.D and it’s founder
ELAD, which stands for Effort, Love, Action, and Determination, is more than just a name; it is the living philosophy of our founder and Executive Director, Stephen Tillett.
Born and raised in the vibrant community of Morristown, New Jersey, Stephen's life journey led him to California over 35 years ago, where he built a successful career in the music industry. Today, Stephen brings that same energy into his classroom as a teacher in Long Beach, CA, where he lives ELAD’s mission daily — turning effort into opportunity, love into mentorship, action into lesson plans, and determination into futures for his students.
It was during a visit home in 2013 that Stephen witnessed a moment that would forever shape his purpose. He observed a dedicated young person from the neighborhood tirelessly mentoring local children in basketball, instilling not only fundamental skills but also the vital principles of respect and community engagement. That young person’s passion was boundless, but financial resources were not. Seeing this unwavering commitment in the face of profound need resonated deeply with Stephen.
Inspired by that young person’s dedication, Stephen reached out, eager to support these grassroots efforts to empower Morristown’s youth. This collaboration, infused with Stephen’s vision and supported by childhood friends and fellow Morristown High School alumni who now form part of ELAD's dedicated team, led to the creation of the annual Morristown "Labor Day Jam." More than just an event, it became a powerful reunion and a beacon of hope, designed to uplift the community and remind its children that dreams, regardless of background, can indeed become a reality. Stephen's core mission was to rekindle the profound sense of community — that "village" ethos — that had once nurtured his own aspirations. He envisioned a future where every young person, especially those from challenging backgrounds mirroring his own, dared to dream big and reach for the moon. This powerful drive was, in part, a tribute to figures like Edward "Abdul" Hackett, whose encouragement had profoundly shaped Stephen's own journey and inspired the Edward "Abdul" Hackett Memorial Scholarship.
Having established a strong foundation and continued active engagement in New Jersey, Stephen and ELAD are now expanding their mission to Stephen’s second home: California. For over three and a half decades, the Golden State, from the Bay to Los Angeles, has embraced Stephen, raising him as a man and allowing him to plant deep roots, acquire a true family, and shape young minds in his Long Beach classroom. That classroom is now a living extension of ELAD — a place where the same values that built the Labor Day Jam are passed on bell by bell, student by student. It is with this profound connection and a deep understanding of the diverse communities across California that ELAD is now bringing its transformative programs here, continuing to bridge gaps and build futures.
At ELAD, we believe that Effort, Love, Action, and Determination are the cornerstones of lasting change. Our story is one of giving back, igniting potential, and ensuring that every young individual has the opportunity to thrive and succeed, empowered by the very communities that believe in them.
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Contact Us
Executive Director: Stephen Tillett,
Mailining address: 2211 E Orangewood ave Ste. 572 Anaheim Ca 92806
Email Us: Elad4kids@gmail.com
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