Our guiding stars: Meet the Guiding Light of Hope Inc. Board

Discover the dedicated individuals leading Guiding Light of Hope Inc. Our board members bring a profound personal connection and shared passion to our mission, ensuring every young man we serve in Gary, Indiana, finds a path to success and stability. Their collective experience illuminates the way forward.

 

Tommie D. Dillard
Founder & CEO, Guiding Light of Hope Inc.
 
A Lifetime of Advocacy: From the Southside to the Frontlines
Born on the Southside of Chicago and a proud product of the Chicago Public Schools system, Tommie D. Dillard’s journey is one rooted in community, resilience, and a profound understanding of the challenges youth face in urban environments. His life’s work is a testament to the belief that every child deserves to be seen, heard, and guided toward a brighter future.
 
Professional Journey & Roots
Tommie’s professional commitment to the next generation began on January 21, 2007. He launched his career at John T. McCutcheon Elementary on the Northside of Chicago, where his impact was quickly recognized by the Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL). He was recruited to join the Bradwell School of Excellence on Chicago’s Eastside—a pivotal chapter of his career where he dedicated 10 years to shaping the lives of students and families within the community.
 
Diverse Expertise in Youth Development
With a career spanning nearly two decades, Tommie has built an extensive and diverse portfolio of experience across multiple states and specialized sectors, including:
  • Workforce Development: Dayton and Pinellas Job Corps.
  • Residential & Foster Care: White’s Residential and Integrity Care.
  • Specialized Youth Communities: Mooseheart Child City and School.
  • Juvenile Justice & Reform: Kissimmee Youth Academy, Orlando Youth Academy, and the Juvenile Assessment Center.
This wide-ranging background has provided him with a master-level understanding of child development, behavioral health, and the systemic needs of at-risk youth.
 
The Birth of Guiding Light of Hope Inc.
In 2023, Tommie turned his lifelong passion into a formal mission, founding Guiding Light of Hope Inc. in Kissimmee, Florida. The organization was born from a simple but powerful realization: many young people feel invisible to the world around them.
 
"Guiding Light of Hope Inc. is not just a name; it’s a reflection of how I see the youth. It’s about letting them know that we see them, we acknowledge their potential, and we are here to help them navigate their path."
 
Leadership and Vision
Tommie leads with a philosophy centered on authenticity and shared passion. He has meticulously curated a Board of Directors comprised of individuals who mirror his own drive and deep-seated knowledge of child development. Under his leadership, the organization is expanding its footprint to Gary, Indiana, and beyond, focusing on providing family shelter, mental health support, and essential community resources.
Through Guiding Light of Hope Inc., Tommie D. Dillard continues to serve as a beacon of stability and a tireless advocate for those who need it most.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 

 

"Our leadership team's extensive background and unwavering commitment ensure that every young man receives the dedicated advocacy and support needed to build a life of purpose and opportunity."

The Guiding Light of Hope Inc. Board of Directors