Today we’d like to introduce you to Lontage Woods, Ed. S, CFLE.
Hi Lontage, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
As a educator of nearly thirty years as well as a youth advocate serving children and familes from various backgrounds for twenty one years in my home state of Louisiana in youth ministry and community organization, I relocated to Texas in the summer of 2021 and started, New Focus Family and Youth Consultant. This for profit started out as a consulting buisness provding resources for various areas of family dynamics. The main focus became teen speaking engagements when I secured a contract with the City of Forth Worth Rising Stars Leadership Academy in August of 2022.
This opened up a lot of doors and I was also a part of The Women With Purpose Tour, speaking across the DFW encouraging women to start businessess from their purpose and passion. I also began networking with several local Chamber of Commerce and college athletic departments and from there the T.O.R.C.H. ( Tackling Oppostion with Resilience Character and Heart ) Brand was created as a speaking engagement topic for a women’s basketball team proposal.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It most certainly hasn’t been a smooth road but the journey is teaching me to live out the T.O.R.C.H. brand becuase oppostion is inevitable when you are working toward any goal. One of the main strruggles stemed from me branching out and making the teen component of the brand into a non-profit.
Operating both entities has proved challenging but the upside has been sponsorship as well as funding for the non-profit but it also pulled me away from my for-profit as far as speaking engagements and networking as an entrupreneur. I do have a college and a sports program that is a part of New Focus Family and Youth Consultant and in 2026, I plan to get back to focusing more on those entities. The non-profit , The T.O.R.C.H. Teens Program will make three years in April and I have a well-structered board and group of consultants supporting me now so hopefully this alleviate some of the previous struggles.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about New Focus Family & Youth Consultant?
New Focus Family and Youth Consultant has allowed me to branch out into a critical need area currently facing society. Mental health, namely youth mental health is the platform initiave for my T.O.R.C.H. Teen Program. This program provides free speaking engagements and other resources for middle and high school teens.
We have a new initiave, The Every Mind is Valuable Youth Mental Health Conference, which aims to empower and support teens to a place of sustainable mental wellness. This conference initiative looks to have a national impact by partnering with organizations to host this impactful event. The City of Fort Worth is sponsoring our first one on February 21st at the Como Recreational Center and we’re excited about the impact it will surely bring.
Middle and High School teens, Parent/ Guardians, Youth Organizational Leaders, Educators as well as Community Leaders and Members will benefit from this conference, as each are vital stakeholders to support youth mental health. In addition, it will bring awareness about the importance of supporting teens with mental health as well as strategies to make a lasting impact on their lives.
I am also looking to promote the T.O.R.C.H. Sports Champion Mindset Program going into 2026 and secure speaking engagements to empower student- athletes on both then secondary level as well as college students to overcome diffculties, maintain good mental health as well as with organizatinal and time-management skills.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
The best part of Dallas is the diversity and events that cater to whatever you you may feel like doing on any given day. Networking is also a benefit as opportunities to meet individuals from different areas of business and skillsets are plentiful. I’m a proud Lousiana native and other than New Orleans, there was never an issue with going to a city or town and find adequate parking. Parking at some venues can be hectic and that is something I am not fond of or used to yet.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.torchteensprogram.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/torchtp24/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562374966297
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lontage-d-woods-ed-s-cfle-1bb88699/
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/newfocusfyc22/
