Lions & Lions Quest
Since 1917, Lions Clubs International has embraced the dream of its founder, Melvin Jones, and worked for the betterment of local communities and the world at large.
Who Are Lions
Since 1917, Lions Clubs International has embraced the dream of its founder, Melvin Jones, and worked for the betterment of local communities and the world at large. Whether responding when disaster strikes, helping the disabled face obstacles and challenges, or providing children with a safe and healthy learning environment, Lions Clubs International members are there to serve.
It is this dedication and commitment to service that has made Lions Clubs International the world’s largest service organization, with over 1.4 million members in over 200 countries and geographic areas.
More than 30 years ago, Lions embraced the idea of comprehensive youth development to help children grow in a positive direction, free from the dangers of drugs and violence and able to make positive decisions. Lions made a commitment to further the development of the Lions Quest program, and continue to support the program financially and with volunteer labor throughout the world.
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Funding Support
Lions may be able to help underwrite the costs associated with training new facilitators and support staff, as well as the cost of curriculum and student materials. In addition to being experienced fundraisers, Lions are also eligible for special grants through Lions Clubs International Foundation to fund Lions Quest programming.
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Service-Learning Partners
The Lions motto is “We Serve.” Lions are excellent service partners who can bring funding, community connections, and professional experience to a service project.
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Program Awareness
Lions can help increase the visibility of your program by promoting it through Lion newsletters, meetings, and other social and professional networks.
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Presentation Support
Lions are community leaders who can add credibility and support to presentations to school boards, parents, and other key stakeholders. This show of community support is an asset when schools or districts consider adopting or expanding programs.
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Lions Quest Family Meetings
Lions Quest curricula contain guides for involving families and caregivers through family meetings. Lions can help inform family members about the mission of Lions, their commitment to positive youth development, and their local service projects. Qualified Lions may be able to help organize or facilitate the meetings.
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Lions Quest Advisory Team
Consider adding a Lion to your program Advisory Team. Lions can help organize service projects, facilitate school-community collaboration, seek external funding from Lions and the local business community, and link the program with agencies and resources.
What Is Lions Quest?
The ideas behind Lions Quest date back to 1975, when a teenager named Rick Little set out on a “quest” to help other young people develop the skills and strength of character needed to succeed as adults. Rick conducted a survey of over 2,000 high school students to determine the issues that concerned them most and consulted experienced teachers who suggested including a teacher workshop which would serve as a classroom model. The program was so successful at the high school level that middle and elementary schools soon asked for age-appropriate positive youth development programs. Rick Little eventually founded and served as chief executive officer of the International Youth Foundation.
In 1984, Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) gave its first grant to Quest International to help further expand the program. From that point, the support of Quest became a key tenet of LCIF’s service to youth. For the next eighteen years, LCIF supported Quest at the organizational level through grants and technical collaboration and at the local level through club involvement in community implementation of the program in schools.
LCIF took formal ownership of Lions Quest on September 30, 2002. To date, LCIF has awarded more than 360 grants for a cumulative total of more than $20 million to expand or establish Lions Quest programs across the United States and worldwide. Since then, the program has grown to include 40 languages in over 105 countries.
Lions have been critical to the success and expansion of Lions Quest, supporting the program through local funding, coordinating teacher training, co-hosting parent meetings, speaking to youth, and undertaking joint service projects with students.
Lions Quest Around the World
Leading experts and organizations worldwide have recognized Lions Quest programs for their effectiveness in the areas of social and emotional learning, drug and alcohol prevention, and service learning. Few organizations can match Lions Quest’s breadth of recognition in so many areas.