Our History
Our History: A Legacy of Student-Led Impact
In 1987, Teen Advisors was founded in Columbus, Georgia, through the vision and heart of DeeDee Stephens. Moved by the pressures facing high school students, she recognized the harm caused when teens gave in to negative peer pressure. She believed students could choose a different path.
Her idea was simple and bold. She gathered a group of teenagers who were willing to serve as positive role models—students who would support each other, stand for what mattered, and influence their peers toward something greater. The first four Teen Advisors made a powerful commitment: to live with integrity and to encourage others to do the same.
That commitment created momentum.
From four students, the movement gained traction. It grew to 12, then to 42, and then beyond. The message spread across schools: students who wanted to live with purpose were not alone. They could find strength in each other.
A Growing Movement
After its first year, Teen Advisors expanded into more high schools. In 1992, the movement gained national attention. Focus on the Family Magazine published an article about the program, sparking over 2,500 requests from groups across the country that wanted to bring Teen Advisors to their schools. That same year, President George H. W. Bush honored Teen Advisors with a “Thousand Points of Light” award.
Recognizing the need to reach students at an earlier stage, Teen Advisors launched Velocity in 2002. This program focused on equipping 7th and 8th graders to lead with character and serve as role models among their peers, laying a strong foundation for future leadership.
In 2015, the organization introduced Elevate to support 9th graders during the transition between middle and high school. Elevate also included programming for 5th graders, offering guidance as they prepared for the years ahead. Though the program was later folded into the high school model, it reinforced a lasting truth: students at every age benefit from encouragement, support, and leadership development.
Innovating to Meet New Needs
When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted in-person gatherings in 2020, Teen Advisors responded with flexibility and creativity. New student-led teams such as SERVE, Podcast, and Virtual CRS kept teens connected and allowed their influence to continue growing in fresh and meaningful ways. Even during seasons of isolation, peer leadership remained strong.
In 2021, Teen Advisors launched Ignite, a program designed to reach elementary students during their earliest years of development. Beginning at Georgetown Elementary and later expanding to Downtown and JD Davis Elementary, Ignite helped children start school with encouragement, support, and strong role models. Although Ignite was discontinued in December 2024 due to funding limitations and a renewed focus on teens, its impact remains a valuable part of our story.
Refining Our Mission for Greater Impact
For 40 years, Teen Advisors has empowered students to grow in faith, character, and leadership. As the needs of students evolve, so does our response. In 2025, we refined our mission statement to provide greater clarity and focus on what drives our work:
Mobilizing teens to influence their peers through Christ-centered love.
This renewed mission strengthens our identity and affirms our commitment to developing young leaders who serve with purpose and compassion. Every event, every small group, and every relationship we foster is rooted in this truth: when students lead with love, they shape the world around them.
A Legacy That Continues
What began as the vision of one faithful mother has now reached thousands of students across multiple age groups. The seeds planted by Richard and DeeDee Stephens continue to grow through the lives of students who choose integrity, leadership, and love.
Teen Advisors stands today because of their dedication to God, their willingness to act, and their passion for investing in the next generation. Their legacy lives on in every student who chooses courage, speaks life, and brings hope to their school community.
And this mission continues. The next chapter is already unfolding.