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Community is Key!

Connection.  It’s what young people desperately need in the age of COVID, digital disconnection, increased anxiety and suicide rates.  “Despite being a hyper-connected and globally minded generation, many young adults [18-35] say they feel lonely—and just one in three (33%) says they feel deeply cared for by those around them.”  Key Findings – The Connected Generation

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The job of parents, particularly single parents, is not easy today.  To connect with my kids, not only must I carve space from my busy schedule, but I’m competing with highly interactive gaming systems, a constant stream of entertaining videos and memes, and their friends’ social media posts and texts. 

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Ryan White-Stevens

Founder, Coach & Mentor

Though they live in such a virtual world, our teens hunger for what’s real, honest, vulnerable, raw, and life impacting.  This generation longs to make an impact in this world.  And I believe with the support of a community we can awaken and inspire our teen and young adult children to take hold of their identities, pursue their dreams, and live into their purpose and destiny. 

 

This is why I started Trektoo.  We need community and family.  The adage “it takes a village to raise a child” couldn’t be truer today.

 

As a former youth pastor, tutor and mentor for boys in the juvenile justice system, and college professor for the past 18 years, I am equipped to pour into teens and young adults and help them navigate life and the discovery of gifts and callings.  As a divorced dad of a recent high school graduate and stepdad to three kids (all teen or preteen) I have trekked the parenting journey.  (Perhaps “roller coaster ride” is a better analogy!)  With 13 years of post-secondary education (a bachelor’s degree and three master’s degrees) and multiple years of teaching Student Success to college freshmen I know what it takes to succeed in college. 


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I believe that community is the key to not just surviving as a parent, but thriving!  And the life-giving encouragement and mentoring of community is the answer to every teen’s growth.  I can honestly say that EVERY major discovery of my gifts was uncovered because of connections to community.  EVERY time I got clarity about a new chapter or a change in direction in my path it was initiated by people in my community.  EVERY time I fell and experienced personal or professional failures I was picked up, put back on my feet and given hope and strength for the future by community.

 

So, I am inviting you into the Trektoo community.  Don’t go it alone!  30-year veteran Parent Coach Barb Harvey says, “Your best resource as a parent is always another parent.”   With Trektoo you can get personal coaching from an experienced parent and join a supportive online community of other parents.  Through Trektoo teens and young adults can be mentored, coached, and trained in solid success principles as they navigate life’s big transitions and make important decisions, while making friends in an online community of others on a similar journey. 

 

Come trek with us at Trektoo!

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Ryan with his son Isaiah

at high school graduation

Education

  • Master of Divinity, Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY, 2006.

  • Master of Ministry, Bethel College (now Bethel University), Mishawaka, IN, 2003.

  • Master of Science (Physics), University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, 2000.

  • Bachelor of Arts (Physics), Taylor University, Upland, IN, 1997.

Experience

  • Assistant/Adjunct Professor  October 2008 – present:

       Ivy Tech Community College, South Bend, IN.

       January 2025 - present: Southern Crescent Technical                     College, Griffin, GA.

  • Substitute Teacher  Nov 2023 - present: Fayette County Schools, Georgia.  December 2008 – December 2012: South Bend Community School Corp., Penn Harris Madison School Corp., Elkhart Christian Academy. 

  • Math and Physics Tutor  October 2020 – May 2022:  Capstone Educational Consultants, Peachtree City, GA.  April 2010 – Dec 2012:  Ivy Tech Community College.

  • Director of Spiritual Development  May 2006 - October 2008:  Hope Ministries, South Bend, IN.

  • Associate/Youth Pastor  January 1999 - August 2004:  North Liberty United Methodist Church, North Liberty, IN.

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