🌻 Leatherwood MATTERS

Leatherwood MATTERS (Mediate and Train to Encourage Resolution Skills) is a 501(c)(3) organization promoting youth expression through education and art.

Founded in honor of Grandmother Mildred Louise Johnson Leatherwood Wolfe, Leatherwood MATTERS continues a deep tradition of nurturing young lives with care, creativity, and opportunity.

Our mission grew from Leatherwood’s Home for Children (LHC) — a refuge that addressed personal, educational, emotional, and sexual abuse and neglect for boys ages 6–17.

The Home itself was named after Mildred’s grandmother, Ms. Mattie Mae Leatherwood, who lovingly cared for children left behind during the Great Migration, when many parents traveled North seeking new opportunities.

At its heart, Leatherwood MATTERS is about legacy — uplifting young voices, building safe spaces for healing, and planting seeds of creativity that will grow for generations to come.

✨ Our Impact at Leatherwood’s Home for Children

At Leatherwood’s Home for Children, real solutions were built around real challenges facing vulnerable youth:

📚 Educational Neglect

Many students entered the program 2–3 grade levels behind.
Through partnerships with the Corporation for National Service and AmeriCorps VISTA, students received one-on-one tutoring and advocates.
➔ Students gained an average of two grade levels in four years.
➔ Truancy among at-risk students dropped dramatically.

🧳 Transition Support

Foster children often arrived carrying their belongings in trash bags.
Leatherwood’s Home, with help from the Federal Employees Executive Board (FEB) in Kansas City, launched a luggage donation drive.
➔ Over 300 pieces of luggage were donated each year.
➔ Children regained dignity and stability.

👵🏾 Respect for Authority and Elders

To nurture respect and connection between generations, Leatherwood’s Home partnered with the Foster Grandparent Program.
Ms. Mildred personally served as an academic tutor, art instructor, and financial coach.
➔ Two youths later became successful entrepreneurs under her tutelage.
➔ All students were introduced to the arts through mural volunteering.

💼 Workforce Skills and Financial Literacy

Many foster youth lacked work experience and savings.
By collaborating with the U.S. Department of Labor and the Full Employment Council, Leatherwood’s Home offered summer jobs and financial literacy training.
➔ Youth developed savings accounts averaging $400.
➔ Participants gained real-world, transferable work skills.

🎭 Cultural Enrichment and Social Development

Recognizing the need for socialization and inspiration, Leatherwood’s Home exposed youth to arts, sports, and entertainment.
Through trips to the KC Royals, KC T-Bones, KC Wizards, Nelson Art Gallery, and Starlight Theatre, children experienced culture, community, and the joy of belonging.

🌟 Why Leatherwood MATTERS

Leatherwood MATTERS because every child matters.
We honor the legacy of those who cared for children when no one else would —
by creating opportunities for growth, creativity, healing, and hope.