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First, let me say how proud I am of the Elevate team in the spring to finish another school year with the celebration of our Annual Suits & Sneakers event this Thursday.
This Class of 2025, let me tell you, what a special class of students. One night of celebration won’t do them justice, but I'm excited to break out my new sneakers and celebrate our seniors this week, including Calvo, Julian, and so many more. This is our largest class of seniors yet, with thousands of mentoring hours invested in them over the last 4 years. In this year alone, we've participated in endless college vision, company vision trips, FAFSA sessions, 2-year plans completed, Life-Mapping discovery sessions, not to mention more than a few, “Oh my, I’m about to graduate!” moments. The years of support from our donors and volunteers have made it possible for us to have nearly 90 seniors this year in the Class of 2025.
This time of year always speaks to my personal "why" of helping students finish. One of our young men recently shared with me that he will be the first in his family to graduate from high school, and he is doing so, ready to thrive and contribute! I am overwhelmed with joy for his family and what that means to them, as well as his future.
As an organization, our team has some time to briefly catch our breath before turning our sights on our summer impact. This summer, Elevate will implement the Summer Bridge Career Camp for 150 high school students and 50 of our 2025 graduates.
Ultimately, Elevate's Summer Bridge Career Camp equips under-resourced students with employability skills and exposes them to employment and entrepreneurial opportunities and post-secondary education/training options with critical college and career goals, while helping them learn how to overcome fear, stress, and anxiety through sports and adventure mentoring activities.
This expanded impact is only possible as we strengthen our collaboration in youth development. DREAM Alive, our most significant partner, will provide a similar opportunity for 200 middle school students throughout the month of June.
Between DREAM Alive, Edna Martin Christian Center, Indianapolis Eastside Promise Neighborhood, John Boner Neighborhood Centers, Shepherd Community Center, and Elevate Indianapolis, we aim to impact over 400 7th-12th grade students this summer!
There will be more to come on that in the future, but if you didn’t see our blog earlier this year on our expanding collaborations, read it here.
Lastly, if you would like to visit the summer impact in person or engage with our students to see firsthand the impact you make by investing in Elevate, sign up to attend a summer site visit, volunteer for our Annual Fellowship on the Fairways, or reach out directly to learn more about how to partner over the coming months.
Serving with you,
Aaron Story
CEO & President, Elevate Indianapolis
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