So in 2017, after building a (mildly) successful career in Tech, Andrew decided to get involved as a Mentor with Year Up, and help others work to start their career in Tech. Year Up is a national nonprofit whose mission is to close the Opportunity Divide by providing urban young adults ages 18-29 with the professional skills, experience, and support that will empower them to reach their potential through professional careers and higher education.

Knowing is not the same as doing! It took another year before Andrew began to seriously consider the parts necessary to make TalentDreams a reality. But gradually, it came together. As he started sharing the concept with friends, family, and peers, people began getting excited. They identified with the vision, and wanted to get involved. Eventually, a board of directors started to take shape, the 501(c)(3) status was approved by the IRS, and suddenly, it was very real!

Lili grew up in the turbulent, exciting times of the 1960s and 70s. Before entering kindergarten, Lili was outgoing and loved to sing and do cartwheels with no hands in front of family and friends. Once she entered school things changed. Learning to read was a trial, as was spelling, and math. 

Besides the challenges Lili faced in school, her home life was often chaotic due to her father being an alcoholic with a gambling problem. As she entered her teenage years the family drama continued. Her father lost his job, her parents split up, and at times, there was not enough food to eat. The family didn’t go hungry because people from church would leave food on their front porch. Lili’s dad got sober and she and her mom moved to live with him 3,000 miles away from the rest of her family and her friends. When her dad started drinking again, she and her mom moved back to California to start a new life.

In 1979 Lili’s life changed when she gave birth to Andrew Elliott. Andrew was a fussy baby until he could crawl and get to all the things he wanted to touch and get into! He was an active youngster who walked at nine months, rode a bike at three years, and scored soccer goals at age five.

Six years later, Lili had a second son, Kolton. Like Andrew, Kolton was an active youngster following after his big brother skateboarding and climbing trees. These two energetic guys gave Lili a purpose in life which was being a mom with all the joys and struggles that parenting brings.

While raising Andrew and Kolton, Lili went back to school numerous times with an interest in a degree in teaching, psychology or sociology. She had a desire to work with others and contribute in some way. While in school Lili was tested for learning disabilities. She discovered she had a number of issues that were the cause of her earlier education difficulties.  

Lili’s discovery about how her brain worked and her difficult childhood caused her to delve into a myriad of topics from depression, anxiety, eating disorders, addictions, education, relationships, and communication. 

Lili’s desire to help other students that struggled led her to become a tutor for Americorp fulfilling a lifelong dream to teach. 

Continuing her education, Lili was trained in conflict resolution with a number of local organizations and the international organization Non Violent Communication.

Lili worked for numerous nonprofits in the field of communication. She was a parent coach, a parent supervisor (for court-appointed supervision), and a parent support group facilitator. She also worked for a safe house as a phone crisis counselor for people in abusive relationships.

In 2018, after going to school on and off for nearly 4 decades, Lili graduated with a 4.0 at the top of her class with a degree in sociology.

Having spent years writing, in 2019, Lili had three books published. Her books on well-being are called The Fork in the Path, and The Fork Trail Guide. She also has a novel called The Bridge. Numerous times, Lili was a guest speaker at Cuesta College, and in the following years, she began teaching classes at Transitions Mental Health Association.

In 2021, Andrew approached Lili with the idea of a mentoring program for young people. Lili thought it was a great idea because of the struggles she went through when she was young. She also knew first hand of Andrew’s difficult time in his teen years and early 20s. 

Through the difficult younger years Andrew experienced, Lili wanted to be supportive, but she wasn’t sure how to be. She realized the powerful impact a mentor would have had on her own youth and Andrew’s, as well. 

The desire to help young people is the driving force behind Lili’s interest in TalentDreams. Starting this nonprofit has been an amazing, difficult journey filled with a tremendous amount of work – the learning curve continues. 

We all want to connect and contribute. For this mother and son who both struggled when they were young, TalentDreams has been a great way to connect and contribute. It’s extremely fulfilling to run an organization where you know that a single conversation can change a life!

Fast forward and things are in gear and the concept is proving valuable with phenomenal feedback from those involved, Dreamers, Champions, parents, and educators. Advisors with phenomenal experience and expertise are getting involved, and the momentum is palpable.  We have secured several grants and are working to get the financial resources necessary to deliver on our mission: To inspire, enrich, and mentor young people so they can discover, embrace, and express their talent and pursue their dreams.

We can’t do it without you! Learn more about our Supporter program and consider applying to be a Champion!!