GUARDIAN ANGEL COUNCIL STORY
As told by its Executive Director and Founder, Levi Leyba
Guardian Angel Council was founded on the belief that every person has the power to make a difference. Whether through time, resources, or compassion, each of us can help bridge gaps and improve the lives of those at a disadvantage.
The mission behind GAC began with an awareness of the inequalities that exist in education and healthcare. While earning my MBA, my final research paper explored The Impact of Early Childhood Literacy and Its Relationship to Educational and Economic Success. That research was eye-opening. I learned that children in low-income families often begin school at a disadvantage—not because their parents don’t care, but because they lack access to the same resources available to higher-income households.
Through our Book for Book® Program, every purchase made through our exclusive partnership with the Young Series™ publisher allows us to donate a new bilingual book to a child in need. This initiative not only promotes literacy but also encourages family engagement. The child who receives a purchased bilingual book may be inspired to learn a new language, while the child who receives a donated book can share the reading experience with their parents in their native language, strengthening bonds through literacy.
In 2012, my personal health journey led me to discover the National Marrow Donor Program and its Be The Match Registry®. Facing the possibility of needing a bone marrow donor myself, I learned that about 70% of patients do not have a compatible family donor and rely on the generosity of strangers. Even more alarming, minorities make up only about 30% of the registry. This realization inspired me to make diversity in the registry one of GAC’s core missions, helping ensure that all patients—regardless of race or ethnicity—have an equal chance at finding a lifesaving match.
Most recently, Guardian Angel Council expanded its impact through an exclusive licensing agreement with Autism Training Academy (ATA). This initiative provides professional certification for educators and support staff through the Certificate in Autism Support (CAS) program. Our goal is to raise awareness, promote inclusion, and make autism training accessible to schools nationwide by partnering with businesses, foundations, and community organizations.
Guardian Angel Council, Inc. received its 501(c)(3) designation in 2012 as a public charity. All contributions are tax-deductible under Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code and directly support our mission-driven programs in literacy, health, and inclusion.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about how Guardian Angel Council began and the ways we continue to serve our communities. Together, we can make lasting change—one book, one donor, and one classroom at a time.