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IFLAAO Founder Stefan B. Davis Sits Down with 22 News to Address the Homelessness Crisis Among Young Women

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 01:07:32 GMT

On Air with WWLP-22News:

IFLAAO Founder Stefan B. Davis Sits Down with 22 News to Address the Homelessness Crisis Among Young Women

I Found Light Against All Odds (IFLAAO) Founder & CEO Stefan B. Davis was invited onto WWLP-22News for an impactful conversation focused on the homelessness crisis affecting young women throughout Western Massachusetts.

D uring his in-depth InFocus interview with host Patrick Berry , Stefan shared how IFLAAO supports young people "in darkness searching for light" by helping high-risk youth facing trauma, abuse, housing instability, and deep mistrust of traditional systems.

“I Found Light is an organization that wants to help young people that are in darkness searching for light…" -Stefan Davis

He spoke about his work with at-risk students in Springfield, the Fresh Start program , and the vision for The Lighthouse —a home designed to provide safety, stability, and opportunity for young women ages 18–20 experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.

In addition to the full In Focus interview, Stefan was featured in a separate WWLP-22News segment that further underscored the urgent need for The Lighthouse and the critical gaps facing young women in Hampden County.

In this segment, WWLP reporter Ciara Speller explored how Stefan’s work as an educator revealed a crisis happening in plain sight.

“There was a need that wasn’t being touched that I was hearing each and every day in my classroom, and it was from young women that were homeless and housing-insecure.” -Stefan Davis

He shared that many young women were coming to school each day without a safe place to sleep at night—some living in porta-potties, some sleeping outdoors, and others surviving through dangerous or exploitative situations simply to meet basic needs.

“These young women need to know that we care,” Stefan shared. “ Once they understand that someone truly sees them and believes in them, that is when real change can begin.”

I Found Light Against All Odds is grateful for the opportunity to share these critical stories and highlight the realities facing young women experiencing homelessness in Western Massachusetts. As this vision moves forward, IFLAAO dedicated to working alongside the community to create meaningful, lasting change.

IFLAAO'S 9th Annual Golf Tournament

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 00:32:27 GMT

Financial Literacy

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 01:02:22 GMT

Financial Literacy Program

To register for classes, click on, Financial Literacy Classes (ifoundlight.com)

CPR & FIRST AID Certification

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 00:56:26 GMT

CPR & FIRST AID Certification

To register for classes, click on, CPR & First Aid Certification (ifoundlight.com)

2024 Impactful Women Celebrity Bartender Event

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 22:01:39 GMT

IFLAAO's 2024 Impactful Women Celebrity Bartender Event

On February 21st, I Found Light Against All Odds will host their 2024 Impactful Women Celebrity Bartender Fundraising Event at Plan B Burger Bar located in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. The event will run from 5:30-9:00 and 100% of all bar tips that evening will go towards the I Found Light Against All Odds Lighthouse Home for homeless teen girls ages 18-20.

I Found Light Against All Odds Coach Claus Toy Giveaway

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 02:47:55 GMT

IFLAAO Coach Claus Sixth Annual Toy Giveaway

On December 16, 2023, IFLAAO and Coach Claus made a special appearance at Union Station in Springfield to give away toys to over 300 children. Coach Claus had a grand parade leading up to Union Station courtesy of Springfield's Fire and Police Departments, the Sheriff's Department, and a double decker bus from Peter Pan Bus Lines. A big thank you to the Springfield BID, Jackalope Restaurant and all the volunteers and supporters who made the event possible.

Full story on WWLP.com

Local non-profit spreads joy with sixth annual Coach Claus Toy Giveaway at Union Station | WWLP

CPR/First Aid Classes Offered to Young Women Ages 17-20

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 19:20:23 GMT

CPR/First Aid Classes

I Found Light Against All Odds & Lighthouse will be offering CPR/First Aid classes to young women ages 17-20. Course completion will take approximately 3 hours and the date and location is TBD. Participants will receive a certification from the Red Cross after completion of the course.

Interested participants should click on the Contact button on our website and fill out their information.

I Found Light Against All Odds First Annual Celebrity Bartender Fundraiser Event

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 02:21:50 GMT

IFLAAO First Annual Celebrity Bartender Fundraiser Event

I Found Light Against All Odds held their First Annual Celebrity Bartender Fundraiser Event on March 8th at Plan b in Springfield. Local Community leaders participated as the celebrities behind the bar and the event also featured a special performance by Michelle Brooks-Thompson, NBC's The Voice, Season 3 Finalist.

Read the full story at WWLP.com

I Found the Light Against All Odds supports local at-risk youth with fundraising event in Springfield - YouTube

Coach Claus Makes Historic Entrance For 5th Annual Toy Giveaway

Fri, 30 Dec 2022 23:09:41 GMT

I Found Light Against All Odds 5th Annual Toy Giveaway was a memorable event for the youth and families in Springfield with the arrival of the organization's CEO/Founder, "Coach Claus", arriving in a helicopter.

Read the full story at WWLP.com

Fifth Annual Coach Claus Toy Giveaway in Springfield - YouTube

5th Annual Charity Fundraiser Golf Tournament

Sun, 19 Jun 2022 01:16:02 GMT

I Found Light Against All Odds held their 5th Annual Charity Fundraiser Golf Tournament on June 18th. Funds raised from this event will benefit a variety of programs including the I Found Light Against All Odds Lighthouse Project for homeless teen girls ages 17-19.

Read the full story at WWLP.com

Area students recognized during award and scholarship ceremony

Sun, 12 Jun 2022 12:08:39 GMT

I Found Light Against All Odds presented college scholarships and awards to local students during their annual award and scholarship ceremony. Scholarship recipients had to submit a 1,000 word essay based on how they were in darkness and found light in education.

Read the full story at WWLP.com

I Found Light Against All Odds teams up with Monson Savings Bank for Build-a-Bike Event

Tue, 17 May 2022 22:45:56 GMT

by: Brett Willand WWLP

I Found Light Against All Odds collaborated with Monson Savings Bank for a Build-a-Bike Event that donated bikes to 10 lucky chi l dren in the community.

BusinessWest Difference Makers Edition - I Found Light Against All Odds And Its Founder And CEO, Stefan Davis

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 17:45:13 GMT

Photo Credit: Leah Martin Photography

I Found Light Against All Odds Founder and CEO, Stefan Davis was recognized in the Class of 2022 Difference Makers, a program by BusinessWest that acknowledges individuals, groups, businesses, and institutions that make a difference within their local community.

Read the full story at BusinessWest

First Place In This Years 2022 Monson Savings Bank Community Giving Initiative

Fri, 14 Jan 2022 19:01:38 GMT

A Special Thanks Goes Out To You, The People From Surrounding Communities Near and Far. I Found Light Against All Odds Came In First Place In This Years 2022 Monson Savings Bank Initiative.

Your Votes Propelled IFLAAO'S From Fifth Place Last Year, to First Place This Year And Receive A $2,500.00 Donation From Monson Savings Bank To The I Found Light Against All Odds And Lighthouse Inc. Home For Homeless Teen Girls Project.

I Found Light Against All Odds and Lighthouse Inc. Would Like To Thank Monson Savings Bank For Their Continued Commitment To Shining Light In All Communities And Congratulations To The Other Recipients.

‘Coach Claus’ gifts Springfield family Christmas tree

Wed, 23 Dec 2020 18:40:35 GMT

One of Santa’s helpers was hard at work Wednesday night in Springfield, making the holidays special for a deserving family.

Stefan Davis, who goes by Coach Claus during the holidays, shed light on a local family in need of some holiday cheer. His organization, “I Found Light Against All Odds,” donated a Christmas tree to the family earlier this week.

Over the last few years, I Found Light Against All Odds has delivered gifts to many families in need during the holiday season. The organization also raises funds for at-risk youth in our area to provide them with resources like scholarships to further their education.

Read the full story at WWLP.com

Springfield teacher gifts students turkeys for Thanksgiving

Sun, 22 Nov 2020 18:33:43 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- Local Springfield students received a heartwarming gift from one of their teachers on Sunday.

Stefan Davis, a teacher at Springfield's High School of Science and Technology, handed out over two dozen turkeys to students in need. He told Western Mass News this gift makes sure all his students have a turkey on the table come Thanksgiving Day.

"A thank you to them, to their parents and to the kids I'm thanking them for what they've done to overcome the adversity in their lives," David said.

Read the full story at WWLP.com

Sci-Tech graduates celebrate thanks to Fresh Start Program supporting at risk-youth

Sat, 13 Jun 2020 17:47:26 GMT

A program at the Springfield High School of Science and Technology gave a group of first-generation high school students a fresh start.

Sixteen students celebrated their high school graduation Saturday as part of the Fresh Start Program, which supports at-risk youth and their families.

The I Found Light Against All Odds Award Ceremony played out at the Basketball Hall of Fame. It gave these seniors a chance to reflect on their journey through high school.

Read the full story at WWLP.com

Local organization surprises Springfield family that lost everything in fire

Tue, 24 Dec 2019 19:06:26 GMT

A family from Springfield lost everything in a house fire just days before Christmas. The community stepped up to help on Christmas Eve.

The organization, “I Found Light Against all Odds” surprised a mother and son on Tuesday who lost everything in a house fire less than a week before Christmas.

The holiday season recently took a turn for the worst for Jasmine and Jah’sir Click after they lost their Springfield home to a fire last Thursday.

Christmas Eve, they received a Christmas miracle…the young boy who lives with autism and his mother were treated to lunch at Nadim’s in downtown Springfield.

Read the full story at WWLP.com

I Found Light Against All Odds hosts annual fundraising gala

Sat, 23 Nov 2019 18:27:45 GMT

AGAWAM, Mass. (WWLP) – When Springfield area young people need to turn their lives around, they turn to an organization called “I Found Light Against All Odds.”

As the name suggests, the non-profit helps young people break the bonds of social, economic, and emotional barriers to make a success of themselves.

“They can’t change what happened yesterday,” said Stefan Davis, President and CEO of I Found Light Against All Odds. “If they work hard and do what they need to do to become successful, it will come true.”

The non-profit held its 3rd annual scholarship and awards fundraising gala at Chez Josef in Agawam Saturday night.

Read the full story at WWLP.com

Stefan Davis presented Mayor Domenic Sarno with a plaque in recognition for his support

Mon, 04 Jun 2018 18:23:58 GMT

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno has been supporting a new program. One that helps troubled teens turn their lives around.

Stefan Davis, founder of the program called I Found a Light Against all Odds, presented the mayor with a plaque Monday afternoon in recognition for his support. The project helps teenagers faced with poverty, abuse and a lack of self-esteem.

Several high school graduates receive scholarship at “I Found Light Against All Odds” ceremony

Sun, 20 May 2018 19:07:34 GMT

Several students graduated this evening from the Springfield High School of Science and Technology Fresh Start program.

To be considered for the scholarship, applicants wrote a 1,000-word essay that showed how they found light after darkness through their journey in high school.

Their essays were chosen based on the journey that each student encountered — while finding hope and light through education.

Read the full story at WWLP

Sip to Scholarship raises funds for program helping at-risk youth

Mon, 19 Feb 2018 00:56:24 GMT

A unique scholarship event for at risk youth was held in Wilbraham Wednesday night. Dana’s Grillroom partnered with White Lion Brewing for a Sip to Scholarship evening. Ten percent of the restaurant’s proceeds from Wednesday night’s event will go towards the scholarship efforts of the I Found Light Against All Odds non-profit organization.

Read the full story at WWLP.com

Community makes Christmas bright for one Springfield family

Mon, 18 Dec 2017 01:01:27 GMT

The holiday spirit was on full display in Springfield’s East Forest Park neighborhood.

Around this time last year, Shawn Kornegay lost the mother of his children, and Kornegay told 22News he wasn’t sure how he would give his family a special Christmas to remember this year.

With help from his daughter’s teacher, and many other community members, his family got just that.

Coach Stefan Davis, an educator at Springfield High School of Science and Technology, got to be Santa for this family. His reindeer were played by these endangered shires from Blue Star Equiculture.

Davis’ nonprofit “I Found Light Against All Odds” and community members worked through the morning Sunday to make this Christmas surprise a reality. When everything was finally in order, the team set out through Springfield to deliver gifts to this deserving family.

Davis said it was just the right thing to do during the holiday season. “It’s about giving back, and that’s all were about, is giving back. It’s not about Coach Davis it’s not about I Found Light Against All Odds, it’s about our youth and families.”

Read the full story at WWLP.com