Lives Impacted
444
Helping Young People Grow, Lead, and Believe in Themselves
We help young thinkers gain confidence, emotional awareness, and the leadership skills they need to succeed.
What we do
Mentorship
tutoring
Workshops & Group Sessions
youth
empowerment
empowerment
community
Outreach
Outreach
Life Skills
education
education
Where your donations go
ABU Fashion Extravaganza
Over 30 local businesses and corporations support us with in-kind donations, merchandise, time, and monetary donations.
Every year, our fashion extravaganza is an opportunity to highlight 20-25 local fashion creators and their brands, and to collectively raise over $3,000 to support these young entrepreneurs in accomplishing their dreams.
ABU End of School Bash and Backpack Drive
Every year, we host over 400 community members and provide the youth with 200-225 backpacks filled with school supplies and merchandise. This prepares them for summer school and gives them a head start for the upcoming school year.
Every year, 25-30 local businesses support this event with their time, merchandise, and monetary donations.
ABU Slip n Slide Kickball
Every year, we host over 200 youth and provide them with food and summertime fun.
ABU Life Skills Workshops
Every week, we host 20-25 youth and young adults, providing meals, teaching social and emotional life skills, and conducting healthy discussions to help them overcome their challenges and accomplish their goals.
About ABU
Mission statement
All About Understanding mentors the youth of Lawton–Ft. Sill through programs that build self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and essential life skills. We encourage young people to understand and express who they are, mentor them to develop the tools for lifelong success, and motivate them to become the best version of themselves.
Our story
Glen Gatling and AB Thomas III have encouraged, mentored, and motivated the youth for over ten years. With a vision to increase mental health awareness, they pursued and successfully received degrees in Sociology and Psychology. In 2021, Glen and AB sought a greater impact throughout the community. Their increased passion led them to establish All About Understanding Inc. (ABU), a non-profit organization whose mission is to bridge the gap between traditional classroom settings and real-life situations by teaching youth and young adults life skills, with a focus on social and emotional learning.
Support Provided
$7,777
Meet the Team
Glen Gatling
Glen Gatling, MSW, LMSW, is a son, husband, father, mentor, life coach, clinician, and educator. Throughout his life, he has had numerous life-changing experiences that have altered how he perceives it. Through adversity, he realized the importance of social, emotional, and mental health, igniting his passion to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a Master’s degree in social work, and licensure as a licensed professional. He now uses several platforms to mentor, motivate, and educate people to become the best versions of themselves and to equip them with the tools to accomplish their personal and professional goals.
Arthur Thomas
Arthur Thomas is the co-director of All About Understanding and an established case manager. His work in the school system and throughout the community reflects his strong desire to steer our youth in the right direction.
Arlie Hampton
Arlie Hampton is a retired nurse and long-time teacher in the community. Her career choices demonstrate her compassion for placing the interests of others before her own.
Tonya Ellis
Tonya Ellis is a mentor, wellness advocate, and community educator with All About Understanding. With a background as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, Tonya spent years supporting patients in the hospital setting. Tonya felt called to share what she was learning — not through lectures, but through presence, creativity, and compassionate guidance. Through All About Understanding, Tonya helps youth and families build emotional awareness, connection, and self-regulation skills while fostering personal empowerment and whole-person wellness. Her approach is heartfelt, culturally aware, and rooted in the belief that healing is possible when we are truly seen, supported, and understood.
Trey Ellis
Trey Ellis is a United States Navy Veteran, photographer, and dedicated mentor with the All About Understanding nonprofit organization. With more than 15 years of experience as an Engineer Technician, he brings strong problem-solving skills, leadership, and technical expertise to every environment he serves in. Trey’s work in mentorship is grounded in compassion, service, and the belief that every young person deserves to be seen, supported, and valued. He uses his background in the military and engineering to guide youth in developing confidence, discipline, and life skills that open doors to new opportunities. In addition to his community work, Trey is a skilled photographer known for capturing authentic stories and meaningful moments. Whether behind the camera or working alongside youth, his mission remains the same — to uplift, empower, and help others grow.
Tiera Acree
Tiera is 29 years old. She was born in a small town called Hartford, Alabama, but has been in Lawton, Ok, since 6th grade. In high school, Tiera attended Great Plains Technology Center, where she earned a certificate in multimedia and worked in filming and web design. She is a Cameron University graduate, where she received her bachelor’s in graphic design. She currently works through Cameron University with a grant-funded Trio program called Open Doors (also called Educational Talent Search). In Open Doors, she works with Lawton Public School students from 6th grade to high school seniors to help them stay on track to graduate as well as pursue post-secondary education. She loves what she does and is a creative person who loves bringing ideas to life through design, community projects, and youth programs. Whether she’s leading Girl Scouts, inspiring students with Open Doors, or helping ABU build meaningful connections, Tiera’s goal is always the same—to empower, uplift, and make a positive impact with a smile.
Jacobi ryan
Jacobi Ryan is an independent hip-hop artist, songwriter, and creative strategist from Lawton, Oklahoma. Known for his consistency and self-directed approach, Ryan built his reputation through years of independent releases, live performances, and ambitious projects—including releasing a new song every week for an entire year.
His work earned him a place as a contributor to Fire in Little Africa, the acclaimed collaborative project commemorating the centennial of the Tulsa Race Massacre that was released on the historic American music label, Motown Records. Beyond music, Ryan has built a career in design, digital strategy, and user experience, bringing an entrepreneurial mindset to everything he creates.
volunteer with ABU
Benefits of Volunteering
Join ABU and discover how your time, skills, and heart can help support local youth—while gaining experience, connections, and a sense of purpose.
- Build meaningful relationships
- Strengthen your leadership skills
- Support youth in your community
- Boost your resume with real experience
- Flexible opportunities for any schedule
- Join a purpose-driven team
Join Our Team
We’d love to have you on the team. Submit your volunteer form, and we’ll reach out with everything you need to begin making a positive impact through ABU.
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