Vision
To inspire, educate, and prepare every child in underserved communities to realize their full potential.
Mission
We deliver STEAM-focused afterschool and summer programs to elementary-aged children from underserved communities. By integrating the power of STEM and the arts and fostering a nurturing environment, we strive to help every child develop the skills and knowledge to succeed in the future of work.
Our Founding
Tom Lewis, Founder
For 35 years, The Fishing School (TFS) has been a beacon of opportunity, empowering over 8,000 children and families to build brighter futures. Our story began with Tom Lewis, a retired D.C. police officer who saw firsthand the challenges facing children in under-resourced communities. Inspired by the proverb, “Give a man a fish, and he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he’ll eat for a lifetime,” Tom and his wife launched TFS from their own home—not just as a place of care, but as a place of transformation. His vision was clear: equip children with the skills and support they need to change the trajectory of their lives.
Tom Lewis founded The Fishing School to create real change for youth in Washington, DC.
1939
Tom Lewis was born in Chadbourn, North Carolina as one of 15 children. His family faced extreme poverty, and Mr. Lewis dropped out of school. He earned money as a migrant farmhand as he worked his way north, eventually landing in New York. In New York, he was drafted into the Army.
1965
After being discharged from the Army, Mr. Lewis became a Washington, DC police officer. He was one of the very few African-American officers sent to quell the rioting in DC following the death of Dr. Martin Luther King.
1965 cont.
During his time with the Metropolitan Police Department, Mr. Lewis joined the Officer Friendly program. The goal of the program was to restore trust between the police force and the community by sending officers to DC schools to build relationships with students. Mr. Lewis’ work put him in daily contact with students experiencing troubling challenges in society. He was touched by these children and promised that, once he retired, he would focus his life’s work on helping DC’s youth. He would provide them with the role models, skills, and mentorship needed for lifelong success.
1975
While still on the force and raising three small children, Mr. Lewis earned an undergraduate degree from American University, with the help and support of his wife, Lucille. Nine years later, Mr. Lewis also became a licensed social worker and an ordained Baptist minister. His experience and education brought unique perspectives to his work at MPD.
1986
Mr. Lewis retired from the police department in 1986. Keeping his promise from years before, Mr. Lewis began working toward fulfilling his new mission to serve DC’s youth. Mrs. Lewis donated $1,000 she had saved from her seamstress business and Mr. Lewis raised an additional $1,100 to fulfill his vision. The Lewises bought a former crack house on Wylie Street in Northeast DC, one of the District’s most crime-ridden neighborhoods. Mr. Lewis renovated the building to serve as the eventual headquarters for his work.
1990
Tom Lewis founded The Fishing School with the goal of bringing positive change to the youth of Washington, DC. He started by serving five young children. He believed then, as we do today, that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty.
Mrs. Lewis was by her husband’s side throughout his journey and The Fishing School would not have been possible without her love, care, and contribution. She often volunteered during the program, teaching students sewing during the Do-It-Yourself Club.
2009
Thanks to the support of the community and our constituents, we were chosen to appear on ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Local officials, builders, corporate supporters, and scores of volunteers built our new headquarters in just seven days. Special guest Tyler Perry opened our new 6,700-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility in August 2009.
2020
We celebrated our 30th anniversary in 2020. The Fishing School has served over 7,600 children and their families since our founding.
Watch the Award-Winning Documentary:
HGTV’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition
Just 15 years ago, we were blessed to be accepted as part of HGTV’s Extreme Home Makeover Show. What was once a crumbling building for our afterschool and summer programs in Deanwood, DC, has become a magnificiant place to serve and to work.
Remembering Leo Givs
For over 17 years, Leo Givs led the Fishing School to the highest level of growth and stability. His stalwart leadership enabled us to grow from $1M to over $1.5M, serving almost 400 students daily. We now embed his legacy in our programming through an annual “Remembrance Day, “ where all students play his beloved game of football and listen to his and Tom’s wise words.
What we have been able to do for our community over the last 20 years has been hard work, but it has also been heart work. This new building is truly a blessing and we will use it to continue to be of service to this city’s youth and their parents. —Tom Lewis, founder of The Fishing School, in 2010.