We recently connected with Terry Corwin and have shared our conversation below.

Terry, appreciate you joining us today. Do you have a hero? What have you learned from them?

My hero is my father-in-law, Ken Corwin. He passed away from a brain tumor the same year I started Lion’s Heart, but his example continues to inspire me, even decades later. Ken was a quiet, humble leader who gave generously to his community without seeking recognition. He dedicated his professional life to education, serving as a teacher, coach, and later as an administrator at the University of Redlands for 35 years.

Ken was deeply involved in community service, volunteering with organizations such as the Red Cross, Rotary Club, YMCA, Chamber of Commerce, Redlands Education Partnership Foundation, and Redlands Community Scholarship Foundation. He also contributed to the Boy Scouts Council Distinguished Service Committee, Baseball for Boys, American Baptist Housing of the West, United Way Board of Directors, and the Redlands Community Hospital Charitable Foundation.

His outstanding service was recognized with numerous honors, including Volunteer of the Year for United Way, the Outstanding Alumni Award from the University of Redlands, and Redlands Man of the Year for Outstanding Community Service. The annual golf tournament trophy at Redlands Community Hospital bears his name, and in 1996, he was selected to run with the Olympic Torch for the Atlanta Summer Olympic Games—a testament to his lifelong dedication to helping others.

To honor his legacy and inspire Lion’s Heart members, I established the Lion’s Heart Torchbearer’s Award® in his memory. Ken’s life of service is a constant reminder of the impact one person can have on their community, and I hope his story motivates others to give back as he did.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Planting the Seeds of Empathy: The Birth of Lion’s Heart

In the sun-drenched neighborhoods of 2004, my sons enjoyed a childhood many dream of—surrounded by love, encouragement, and every opportunity to thrive. Yet, as I watched them grow amid this abundance, I felt a pressing need to nurture something deeper: empathy. I wanted them to understand the world beyond their comfortable bubble, to recognize the importance of giving back.

My own journey in community service began early, shaped by years of PTA leadership and my role as executive director of a public school foundation. As a teenager, I cherished the time spent volunteering alongside my mother in the National Charity League, but that organization was, and still is, exclusively for girls. At the time, options for boys were limited. Boy Scouts offered camaraderie and adventure, but its structure didn’t quite align with my sons’ busy schedules and my vision for a service-focused group.

One day, during a long car ride, inspiration struck. I floated the idea of creating a boys-only volunteer organization—one where they could serve together, learn leadership, and build empathy. Their eyes lit up at the prospect of volunteering with friends. By September 2004, Lion’s Heart was born.

How Lion’s Heart Took Root

– Small, Empowered Groups:** Each chapter consisted of 4–20 boys in the same grade, fostering close-knit bonds.
– Youth Leadership:** Members elected their own officers and ran meetings, following Robert’s Rules of Order.
– Regular Engagement:** Groups met eight times a year, planning service projects and sharing personal acts of kindness.
– Inclusive Growth:** It wasn’t long before girls wanted in—Lion’s Heart expanded to welcome them, too.

As families relocated, the movement spread organically. New chapters blossomed in towns across the country, each one rooted in the same mission: empowering teens to serve their communities.

A Legacy of Service

What began as a simple idea in the family car has grown into a nationwide force for good. Since 2004, more than 20,000 teens have dedicated over 2.2 million hours of service through 196 chapters in 30 states. Lion’s Heart stands as a testament to what’s possible when young people are given the tools—and the inspiration—to make a difference.

Empathy, after all, is best learned by doing. And sometimes, all it takes is a single spark to ignite a movement.

Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?

One of the most challenging periods for Lion’s Heart came during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Up until that point, since our founding in 2004, we had experienced steady growth—expanding organically into new chapters across different states each year.

When the pandemic hit, everything changed overnight. Schools closed, teens stayed home, and volunteer opportunities vanished. Our new member enrollment came to a complete standstill. While we were grateful for the members who stayed with us, we faced a constant loss each June as graduating high school seniors “retired” from Lion’s Heart, further shrinking our base.

Financially, the situation became dire:

– We secured a line of credit from our bank to help with cash flow.
– We had to vacate our small office—not just because employees couldn’t come in, but because we simply couldn’t afford the rent.
– Several rounds of furloughs were necessary, and ultimately, we had to let two valued team members go.
– The Board of Directors met frequently, and our remaining staff worked hard to keep morale up and the organization afloat.

That year, we came dangerously close to going out of business. It was a devastating and uncertain time, and it took nearly four years for us to recover financially to our pre-pandemic level in 2019. Looking back, we’re all deeply grateful that we persevered and made it through such a critical period.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Most Effective Strategy for Growing Our Business

The most effective strategy for growing Lion’s Heart has been a steadfast reliance on **organic, word-of-mouth growth**. Our expansion is rooted in the authentic enthusiasm of our members and their families, which has naturally fueled our reach and impact. Here’s how this strategy has unfolded:

Community-Driven Growth

– **Parent-to-Parent Advocacy:** Our journey began with moms sharing their positive experiences with other moms in their communities. This personal endorsement carries immense credibility, inspiring others to get involved.
– **Grassroots Leadership:** Typically, a parent who is passionate about the program will take the initiative to form a new group, often inviting their child’s friends and their families to participate. This approach ensures each group is built on existing trust and relationships, making it easier to foster engagement and commitment.

Expansion Beyond Local Communities

– **Chapters Across States:** Our growth into new states has often been sparked by families relocating. When a family moves, they frequently wish to recreate the Lion’s Heart experience in their new community, leading to the establishment of new chapters. This organic expansion model allows us to maintain our core values and culture as we grow.
– **Mission-Driven Motivation:** Parents are drawn to Lion’s Heart because they want to instill empathy and a sense of service in their children. Our program’s simplicity and effectiveness in providing meaningful volunteer opportunities make it an attractive option for families seeking to make a difference.

Sustained Momentum

– **Ease of Participation:** Lion’s Heart is designed to be accessible and straightforward, lowering barriers for families to get involved. This ease of entry encourages more parents to start groups and spread the word.
– **Reputation for Impact:** As more families experience the benefits of the program, our reputation grows, further fueling word-of-mouth referrals and organic membership increases.

In summary, our most effective growth strategy has been to empower families to share their experiences and take ownership of expanding Lion’s Heart within their own networks. This has created a self-sustaining cycle of growth, built on trust, shared values, and a genuine desire to foster empathy and community service in the next generation.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lionsheartservice.org
• Instagram: @lionsheartservice
• Facebook: Lion’s Heart-Teen Volunteers and Leaders
• Youtube: @lionsheartserviceorg