TORRINGTON – Ten years ago, Susan Thomas created a foundation to provide at-risk youth with inspiration, leadership and opportunity. Built on the principles of her husband, Craig, a U.S. senator who championed young people until his death in 2007, the Craig and Susan Thomas Foundation soon became one of the state’s most successful charitable organizations.
Friday, Thomas visited the Telegram office to provide an update on the foundation.
“When we began this foundation, we set a date of 10 years,” Thomas said. “We are now in our 10th year.”
From the beginning, the foundation provided scholarships and one-on-one mentoring – with Thomas herself – to at-risk youth. The organization also offers grants to those who help at-risk groups, including the homeless, and leadership awards for individuals who assist young people who may be struggling. Torrington’s own Rick Cotant was a recipient of this $2,500 award for his work with the Goshen County Backpack Program.
The newest program offers scholarships to former energy workers who desire to finish their education or learn a new skill.
“Two years ago, I was driving through Gillette, and the news came on and said one of the mines had just laid off 400 people,” Thomas said. “I was horrified. That was my country – I’m from Johnson County (adjacent to Sublette County, where Gillette is located) – and so we set up the Retrain to Gain program. It’s been very successful.
 “We’ve been very successful in all of these areas,” she said. “I’m so grateful for the generosity of people in this country. When we started, we thought we’d have enough scholarship money for two students; now we have 30. And it’s really important for all 30 of them to know someone is there to have their back.”

Thomas added plenty of nervous excitement surrounds the opportunities provided by her organization.
“The Retrain to Gain people are excited to go to school, but nervous,” she said. “The at-risk youth are excited, but nervous. Everybody’s so excited to get a second chance.”
After a decade of helping countless young people and struggling individuals succeed, the foundation will officially complete its mission in
June 2018.
“From here, we are not adding any new scholarships,” Thomas said. “This year, we are giving our best effort to all of our students we have now – same as we have the last nine years … the grants we have been providing, we’re still going to do that through this year. June 30 is the due date for all grants.”
As the foundation winds down, Thomas said the goal is to help as many people as possible, right up to the end.
“We are working very hard – our mission was to help young people around the state for 10 years and provide for them scholarships and mentoring, and grants to groups who think like we do and the leadership award – we are fulfilling our mission,” she said. “We’ve helped many, many, many students graduate from college and vocational schools, and we are offering our services through to the very last drop.”
Thomas, who worked as a schoolteacher for 36 years – many of which were devoted specifically to at-risk youth – said she will miss mentoring the students.
“This (foundation) has been, for me, an act of love,” she said. “I’m going to miss these students. I will miss them dearly. I believe strongly everyone has a gift, it needs to grow and they need to be supported to grow.”
The woman who dedicated nearly five decades to helping young people in Wyoming and across America did not elaborate when asked about her plans for the future, but simply offered a smile.
“Stay tuned …” Thomas said.
For more information about the Craig and Susan Thomas Foundation, visit www.Thomas-Foundation.com.