Established in 2018 by Terrie Simmons, Lewis Simmons Foundation (LSF) is a 501c3 corporation that champions business growth, job readiness, and professional development.

When Terrie’s son was younger, he faced the possibility of jail time for a minor offense. She realized that there are so many young men and women who make mistakes but do not have the means or the access to help them resolve their legal troubles without having to serve time. As a mother and the mother of an African-American son, this reality is one that she thinks of daily. This is why she founded the Lewis Simmons Foundation.

LSF’s mission is to help close the health and wealth gap for those in underserved communities, particularly groups faced with labor market barriers such as incarceration and communities of color and women. Through this mission, we work to educate detainees who have non-violent felonies, and prepare them to gain employment once released.

Our vision is to “champion change for those whose voices are stifled and so often go unheard.” This vision is the vehicle that drives the foundation’s efforts to serve as an intermediary that organizes and works with employers, training participants, employees, government agencies, and other organizations to solve workforce development problems within Illinois and help grow Illinois by developing trust and a base of knowledge about its organizations and businesses, as well as available public and private resources.

LSF operates under the umbrella of its parent company, Strategic Exceptions Professional Consulting Inc. (SEPCI).