No one gets there alone

That’s why Elevate shows up

Our Mission

Building long-term, life-changing relationships with urban youth, equipping them to thrive and contribute to their community.

our vision:
generations of thriving leaders

The Need

transformational relationships

If you consider yourself successful, chances are, somewhere along your journey there were people who encouraged or pushed you towards your potential. It may have been a parent, a teacher, a relative, or a mentor.

Unfortunately, many of today’s urban youth lack this positive guidance, resulting in alarming dropout, teen pregnancy, and incarceration rates. That’s where Elevate comes in; with meaningful relationships, opportunities, and experiences that shape students into the young adults we know they can become.

Our Programs

meeting kids where they need us most

Elevate employs a holistic approach to meet each child’s needs. This means full-time salaried teacher-mentors, year-round programming, cross-age mentoring, and a long-term relational approach in four areas: accredited classes, mentoring, adventure, and college & career.

IMAGINE IF NO ONE
taught you what it meant to have integrity.

IMAGINE IF NO ONE
had your back when you needed it most.

IMAGINE IF NO ONE
helped you make a plan for your future.

IMAGINE IF NO ONE
helped you grow through challenge.

The Impact

real lives changed

High school graduation is an important predictor for a student’s overall health and long-term success. Yet, research shows that students of color, students from low-income families, and other historically underserved populations graduate at rates substantially lower than the national average.

91%

91% of Elevate students nationwide are on-track to graduate.

Students who complete three or more semesters of the Elevate program are on-track to graduate. Students who progress through each year of high school are better prepared for their future and plan to attend college, the military, or a trade school.
 

Success Stories

reason to believe it works

Statistics may help us prove Elevate’s efficacy, but our students’ stories speak for themselves.

Lorena
Denver, CO
Read More

Erik
New York, NY
Read More

Rhonda
Denver, CO
Read More

Toby
Denver, CO
Read More

20_cities

0 Cities

10k_students

0k Students

86_schools

0 Schools

Our Affiliates

The Cities we serve

Colorado UpLift began in Denver in 1982. Now Elevate has expanded the program model to cities across America. Click on each of our cities to learn more.

Invest

putting money where it matters

How has the Elevate model proven successful for over 30 years? We create developmental assets, build strong character, inspire school success, and encourage community engagement.

recognition and Badges

no one gets there alone