Our

Mission & Values

We economically mobilize our Deep East Texas community by improving financial stability, providing workforce development, and building generational wealth.

Our values are:

Stewardship:

We believe that we are caretakers of our community for the next generation to inherit
Equity:

 We work to create an even playing field for our community so everyone has the opportunity to thrive
Impact:

We create programs that change lives for generations

The Team

Joseph Ceasar

Joseph Ceasar

Executive Director

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Kevin Taylor

Lawrence Spikes

Program Director - LIFE Build

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Allanah Ceasar

Allanah Ceasar

Program Director - Lufkin Urban Garden & Market

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Allanah Ceasar

Tevia Moore

Program Director - Financial Opportunity Center

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Michael Martinez

Michael Martinez

Program Director -  LIFE Tech

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Claudia Flores Gomez

Employment Coach - Next Chapter

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About Us

Legacy Institute logo on paper

Legacy Institute for Financial Education (LIFE) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, community-based organization designed to economically mobilize low and moderate income households by teaching financial literacy, creating economic stability, and building generational wealth.

HISTORY

We pursue a more secure financial future for all of our neighbors


Founded in Houston for young adults

Legacy Institute for Financial Education was founded in 2014 by the Ceasars alongside their friends LeRonda and Kenton Lockhart in response to young adults' desire to understand more about the biblical principles of finance. 

Moved to Lufkin and included adults

Upon our arrival in Lufkin, we recognized the need for our services to be taillored to adults looking improve their financial situation through personal financial and investment coaching. 

SFA campus program launched

Driven to establish an avenue for profession seeking college students to learn key stewardship practices, we partnered with SFA student organizations to provide opportunities for internships, student body  workshops, and investment coaching.

Pilot class of Gen A enrolled

Fueled by feedback from our college and adult students, we launched our mentorship program to  address the need for youth to get engaged in their educational, financial, and professional circumstances. 



Expansion of youth department

Encouraged by the students in the program, we partnered with Lufkin ISD's Gear UP team to help increase access to academic and financial enrichment activities.

Launch Financial Opportunity Center

In order to better track the progress of our clients, LIFE transitioned into a one-on-one coaching model rather than the workshops. We joined the Local Initiatives Support Corporation's (LISC) network of Financial Opportunity Centers and adopted their bundled services model .



First plant in the community garden

The Lufkin Urban Garden & Market will address the needs of the current food desert in the North Lufkin community. The garden will provide the community with locally grown organic produce at little to no cost.

Rubinger Fellowship Recipient

Undistracted by the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, LIFE sets its eyes on empowering entrepreneurs and the community that supports them by designing a Financial Wellness Cooperative (FWC). The Rubinger's Fellowship was awarded to our CEO as he spearheads this effort.


Launch Next Chapter


Established Next Chapter to better employ the community through LISC’s network of Bridges to Career Opportunity Centers (BCO). Next Chapter is our career pathway program that connects to Angelina College, LIFE Tech, Lufkin Urban Garden and Market and employer trainers to upskill Deep East Texas’s labor market.


Our Board

The members of our board of directors are thought leaders who have made a significant contribution to our society. Each and every one of them brings a unique set of skills and expertise to our organization.
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