After a successful career as a lawyer and real estate
developer, Peter Dwares wanted to give something back
to the community. Eight years ago, he founded Pathways
for Kids, a nonprofit organization that connects San
Francisco’s economically disadvantaged inner-city youth
with successful mentors, or “coaches.”
Through his company, the Dwares Group, he buys and
rebuilds older building and commercial buildings in
California, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas and the state of
Washington.
“As a great lawyer, Louis Kelso, once told me, in order to
do good, you must do well,” Dwares said. “You must make
some money before you can help others.”
Dwares’ goal is to help disadvantaged youth break the
cycle of poverty.
“I founded Pathways for Kids because there are so many
kids who don’t have fathers or business people around
the house to tell them how to make money or go on to get
a good career or to invest,’’ he said. “They remain poor
their whole lives. I know a lot of people who have done
very well in business. I thought I would bring them in and
let them help kids.”
“We are there to expose young people to different
professions and careers — white-collar and blue-collar
— lawyers, doctors, engineers, electricians, plumbers and
chefs. We let them see how the people who have
succeeded have done it. They then have a goal and decide
to stay in school.”
