About ELAD: Rooted in Community, Driven by Purpose.

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.