GERALD THOMPSON BIO


GERALD THOMPSON, FOUNDER
Pathways To Your Future

A native of Los Angeles, California, Mr. Thompson attended Jefferson and Fremont High Schools. Gerald spent most of his teens in gangs and was arrested and sentenced to 15 years for bank robbery at the age of 21. While incarcerated, Gerald completed his GED and furthered his education by completing his Associate's degree in Sociology. In 1989 after 19 years of alcoholism, drug addiction and subsequent homelessness, Gerald got Clean and Sober and founded the agency called Building On Sobriety; Inc. referred to as "BOS." During the 12 years that BOS was in existence it served over 3,000 men, woman, and children with its Drug/Alcohol and Homeless Shelter Program. Many of the former clients are still sober and are productive members of society. In addition, he managed the HUD 203K Homeowner Program and assisted 15 low-income families in purchasing their first homes.

In 1995, the nationally acclaimed organization Men Against Destruction, Defending Against Drugs and Social Disorder (MAD DADS), elected Gerald director of the Inglewood, Lennox and South Bay Chapter. This program worked with residents to fight against violence in their neighborhoods through "street patrols," block clubs and prevention/ intervention programs. In 1996 he started the community event known as A Gathering of Men Breakfast and in 1999 his chapter of MAD DADS became "The Frontline Soldiers". In 1998 for his work with the LA Dads/Moms Program, Gerald was one of only seven mentors in the state of California to receive an accommodation from former Governor Pete Wilson for the first annual Mentor of Year at the annual California Mentor Initiative Conference.

Mr. Thompson along with his wife Linda Thompson founded Pathways To Your Future, Inc. (PTYF) in 2000. Currently he is the executive director of PTYF. Pathways To Your Future provides group mentoring and youth leadership development to youth between the ages of 14-21 in various schools in the Inglewood Unified School District, Los Angeles Unified School District, California Charter Schools, and the Los Angeles County Office of Education. He is Director of Pathways to Success Transitional Housing Program. The mission of Pathways to Success Transitional Housing Program is to provide transitional housing, mentoring and support services to young men and women, ages 18-25 years transitioning from the juvenile justice system, aging out of foster care and or who are homeless or in imminent, danger of being homeless. He is also founder and director of the "Frontline Soldiers". Frontline Soldiers is a cohesive group of community leaders, fathers, husbands, and concerned citizens who work to empower their community to curtail the effects of violence and drug abuse. Each year, the unsung heroes of our community are recognized at the Frontline Soldier Award's Breakfast. In addition, the Mentee of the Year Award is given to youth who successfully complete the PTYF Youth Leadership Development training program. Mr. Thompson is a former Inglewood Citizen Police Oversight Commissioner. Mr. Thompson held this position from 2005 until 2008.

Awards and Presentations
  • City of Inglewood CA Commendation Community Award for A Gathering Of Men Frontline Soldiers Breakfast, 1996 to date
  • California Youth Authority, LA DADS Program, Youth Mentoring Award, 1998
  • State of California Governor's Mentoring Partnership, Mentor of the Year Award, 1998
  • Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Community Award Commendation 1999
  • California Mentor Summit, Disneyland Hotel Presenter-"Strategies for Culturally Appropriate Mentoring", 1999
  • Eureka Fellowship Award, Recognition of Commitment to Community Service, 2000
  • California Mentor Summit, Disneyland Hotel, Facilitator- "Recruitment for Specific Populations", 2001
  • Presented the Key to the city of Hawthorne by the Mayor of the City of Hawthorne, CA, 2002
  • California State Assembly, Certificate of Appreciation, 2002
  • Spirit Of Peace Award, 2003
  • Certificate of Recognition "for over ten years of dedicated and tireless effort to intervene and prevent gang violence", former Speaker of the CA Assembly, Herb J. Wesson, Jr., 2003
  • Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace, Ambassador for Peace, 2004
Education

Lompoc High, Business Major graduated with honors

Associate of Arts Degree in Sociology, University of Santa Barbara, 1969

Special Completed Training and Workshops

Technical Assistance Training for non-profit organizations, Calif. Assoc. of Women Commission

Social Model Recovery Homes

Watts Health Foundation education and training classes on HIV/AIDS

CalPartners Coalition Mentor Training

ONTRACK At Work Drug/Alcohol Training

Professional Membership

Consolidated Reality Board

Eureka Fellows, a national organization of Executive Directors

South Central Alcohol and other Drug Coalition (AAAOD)

The California Governor's Mentoring Partnership

Member, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Multi-Faith Executive Council

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