History
Serving youth has been a longstanding mission of Lions Clubs International- supporting Lions Quest since 1984. Lions Quest is based on the philosophy of actively involving the family, school and the local community. To date, Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) has awarded more than 50 grants for a cumulative total of more than $8 million to expand or establish Lions Quest programs across the United States and around the world. In June 2002, the Lions Quest program began a new era as LCIF purchased the program from its former owner, the International Youth Foundation.
Quest International dates from 1975 when Rick Little, as a 19-year old college student facing a personal crisis, set out on a “quest” to help other young people develop the skills and strength of character they would need to cope with life’s problems. Little eventually founded and served as chief executive officer of the International Youth Foundation.
Quest received an initial grant in 1977 from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, with the George Gund Foundation and the Reader’s Digest Association contributing additional start-up funds. In cooperation with youth development experts, Quest created and launched its first program, Skills for Living. This program for high school age youth was based on the philosophy of actively involving the family, school, and the local community.
Key to the growth of Quest was the support and involvement of Lions. Lions have supported the program since 1984 through funding local programs, coordinating training of teachers, co-hosting meetings for parents, speaking in classrooms and undertaking joint service projects with students.