The daughter of former President George W. Bush, Jenna Bush Hager, gave the keynote speech at an annual banquet and fundraiser for On Point on Thursday night, sharing her own stories about educational work at home and abroad.
Hager congratulated On Point on the progress the nonprofit organization has made through a variety of initiatives, saying the investments its volunteers have made in the region’s youth are invaluable.
“I want to thank you so much for everything you do through On Point for your community. Through your work and the support for this organization, you have the chance to change lives,” she said.
Founded as a youth development organization in 1991, On Point has grown to impact the lives of 13,000 adolescents in Chattanooga, North Georgia and Cleveland. Their program curriculum is now used in schools in 40 states.
Hager said she developed a better appreciation for the role of teachers in youth empowerment by working as an elementary teacher in the inner city of Washington, D.C.