About Life that Counts
Life that Counts helps young people make intentional, informed decisions that strengthen their futures, their relationships, their families, and the communities they will one day lead.
Who we are
Life that Counts works with schools, families, funders, community institutions, and other partners to put practical support around the decisions young people make. Its work includes curricula, mentoring consultation, training, assemblies, professional development, family programs, and ongoing coaching and mentoring.
What guides the work
Human dignity. Intentional decision-making. Hope and healthy futures. Personal responsibility. Trusted relationships. Service. Accountability. Learning and transparent evidence.
Our history
1999
The work begins
Organizational milestone
Our founder began working with young people in 1999, building the experience and relationships that would eventually shape Life that Counts.
2012
Life that Counts is founded
Organizational milestone
Life that Counts was founded to help young people make thoughtful decisions and pursue healthier futures.
April 2016
Nonprofit incorporation
Organizational milestone
Life that Counts, Inc. was formally incorporated in April 2016.
July 2016
Full-time operations begin
Organizational milestone
Life that Counts began full-time nonprofit operations in July 2016.
2016
First federal funding opportunity
Federal subaward
Life that Counts began federally supported peer-mentoring work as an Alabama partner and subgrantee of Friends First through a multi-year Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention project.
2017
Walmart Community Giving grant
Corporate community grant
Life that Counts was awarded a Walmart Community Giving grant in 2017.
2018
CCCDC grant
Community grant
Life that Counts was awarded a CCCDC grant in 2018.
2018–2021
Three-year federal SRAE award
Federal award
Life that Counts received a three-year General Departmental Sexual Risk Avoidance Education award through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families and Family and Youth Services Bureau. The project supported peer-mentoring programming in Alabama and Indiana.
2019
Walmart Community Giving grant
Corporate community grant
Life that Counts was awarded a Walmart Community Giving grant in 2019.
2019–2022
Federal award
Life that Counts received federal support through HHS, ACF, and FYSB for the three-year Rural Alabama and Montana Project, known as RAMP. The historical project included middle-school programming, implementation coordination, evaluation, and federal reporting in Alabama and Montana.
2020
Walmart Community Giving grant
Corporate community grant
Life that Counts was awarded a Walmart Community Giving grant in 2020.
September 2020
TEDxWilsonPark
Organizational milestone
Our founder delivered the TEDxWilsonPark talk, exploring how cross-age peer mentoring might strengthen connection, belonging, positive peer culture, and help-seeking.
2021–2023
National research implementation
Research milestone
Life that Counts participated as an implementation provider and subcontractor in Mathematica’s REAL Essentials Components Study, delivering programming during a national research effort.
2025
The Caring Foundation support
Foundation support
Life that Counts received grant support from The Caring Foundation, the charitable foundation of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, supporting work with young people and families.