ABOUT
VISION
Building a community where students discover and achieve a healthy, successful future.
LIFT's MISSION
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR Students TO BE Loved as they are, Inspired to be more, Found in community and Trusted to make a difference.
"The day I was out with LIFT was one of the first times I truly felt as if I wasn't alone in this world."
L oved as they are
- by seeing and accepting students without judgement or criticism
- by walking alongside them as they become their best, most-healthy selves
"Everyone should be able to have the openness to find themselves, love themselves, [and] accept themselves."
I nspired to be more
- by helping students recognize and embrace their gifts and talents
- by allowing them an environment to explore, discover and develop
"At school a lot of people are really judging… We need a place to go, where we can be accepted."
F ound in community
- by inviting them into an established, safe space for being known and knowing others
- by developing layers of support and encouragement across generations
"I never get picked for things, but I could be a really great leader."
T RUSTED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
- by empowering students in leadership positions and service opportunities
- by expecting their success and positive impact to ripple through families, schools and neighborhoods
LIFT's Three Year Strategic plan
the window
Suicide, depression, anxiety, isolation and self-destructive behavior are all on the rise. Without support, students can move down a negative spiral as biological changes, negative social interactions, erratic sleep and technology overloads lead to problematic behavior and emotional patterns. This keeps the spiral going in a negative direction. LIFT Youth Center will be a positive anchor in a sea of negatives, an option where they can learn, grow and explore — even fail — all while being supported and encouraged. In this positive spiral, biological changes increase their tendencies to explore healthy versions of risk-taking which leads to taking on responsibility and improving self-confidence as their risk is rewarded. Students have so much potential to go positive OR negative, especially if…
- They are isolated or ostracized because they are unique in some way.
- They are raised by relatives, in foster care or have experienced some trauma.
- They are exposed to poverty, addiction, insecurity and unhealthy choices. BUT they are still GREAT kids! They just need more!
