New Haven Independent

Because she co-founded the LEAP program in Hartford, where she served from 1995 to 2000, Soto’s taking the reins of LEAP in New Haven has been as much homecoming as arrival. Amid a crowd of more than 200 guests, dozens of LEAP staffers, such as Marissa White, gave tours of the building. With commendable modesty Soto was eager to introduce a reporter to each and every one (including the 15-year-old, not pictured, she said was certain to become a future executive director of LEAP) — all so Soto did not have to talk about herself.

“We’re working more formally on career and professional development of our high school and college counselors like Marissa” (who’s pictured at top), Soto said. Behind them in the photo are “life maps,” which the young people use to chart their future, and work through obstacles and opportunities.

LEAP is nationally known for the innovative way it enlists city young adults to work with younger city kids in their neighborhoods.

Soto’s brief tenure thus far, she said, has been a wonder and a surprise. The organization, which at one time operated in Connecticut’s five largest cities, contracted in 2000 when state funding, on which LEAP was overly dependent, declined precipitously. LEAP, she said, is now focusing entirely on expanding its services and strengthening its presence in the Elm City.

“LEAP is known, supported, and loved here!” she said. “We’ve been operating for 15 years, and it’s time, for example, to set up an alumni network to track our success. I mean we have teachers, lawyers, principals, all kinds of people out there, and finding them will be one aspect of documenting achievements, and maybe, down the road, franchising our model, curriculum, and approach.”

With its mentorship and leadership training model, LEAP currently has 60 high school and college age counselors, who mentor some 20 younger leaders age 13 to 15. Together they serve about 250 little LEAPers, ages 7 to 12, in a variety of athletic and academic programs. LEAP stands for Leadership, Education, and Athletics in Partnership.

Soto said there is room for expansion at all of LEAP’s current five sites in the city, all in under-served areas. “We’ve begun preliminary talks with the housing authority to set up another site near West Rock in Westville Manor, but the resources need to be in place first.”

Ed Cleary, co-chair of LEAP’s board (flanked, as always at LEAP, by positive and talented kids, like counselors Anthony Spencer and Tempest Nesbitt), announced the organization’s first endowment drive. Called LEAP for the Future, it aims to raise $1.5 million to endow LEAP’s programs. “If state funding goes down again, we’re committed to being able to keep our promises to all these terrific kids.”

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