Teens In Public Service was co-founded in 1997 by Maureen Pleas Brotherton and her daughter Tia Heim. At the age of 16, Tia volunteered tutoring homeless children. She also held summer jobs typical for her age group. Tia found that full-time summer employment kept her from doing the volunteer work she wanted to do.

TIPS is the outcome of a daughter's desire to serve others and a mother 's wish for more rewarding job opportunities for teens.