How Long-Term Relationships Fuel Growth & Success

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Author
Elevate Host
Published on
October 15, 2026

In 10+ years of Elevate Indy, every moment of impact has stemmed from from one simple idea - that deep, long-term relationships with trusted adults reinforce a student's worth by making them feel seen, known, heard, and loved.

"Ms. Mandy has pushed me to be the best I can be, definitely with sports & work. This has impacted my high school experience by letting me know I actually have some type of support."- Elevate student

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Through our holistic mentorship model, we see the life-changing power of meaningful relationships in our students' lives.

Life-on-life mentorship is the key to Elevate's mission. Students begin forming strong bonds with their Teacher-Mentors from day one, receiving care and support from healthy adults in the safe environment of our Elevate classroom.

As students participate in programs such as Sports & Adventure, College & Career Prep, and Alumni Care, these relationships create a strong foundation that allows students to feel safe, supported, and loved by their Teacher-Mentors. By getting to truly know their students, Teacher-Mentors are able to meet students where they are, offering support and tools help them overcome the barriers standing between them and success.

This support continues through high school graduation and beyond. Whether students need help with an assignment, a coach to push them out of their comfort zone, or simply someone to talk to, our Teacher-Mentors show up for their students 24/7, reminding them that they don't have to face life's challenges alone.

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"[Mr. Woods] taught me that the dreams that I have, I could do better because I am better. He also said that he's going to connect with resources for scholarships."-Elevate student

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Holistic mentorship is more than a program. It is the anchor that grounds everything we do. Learn more about our holistic mentorship model here.

RSVP TO OUR 10TH ANNUAL VISION BREAKFAST

The 10th annual Vision Breakfast is just around the corner! We invite you to join us as we celebrate how far we've come & share our goals for the next decade of impact. Connect with current Elevate seniors as they share their unique Elevate experiences.

We are so proud of what we've accomplished in our 10 years of programming, and now, we're sharing our vision for what we hope to accomplish next.

Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are also available. Volunteers and sponsors help offset the cost of this event and allow us to create an experience of hope and excitement for our students, staff, and community.

We hope you'll be a part of this future vision with us. Tap below to RSVP to our Vision Breakfast today or contact Heather Encinia to learn more about becoming a sponsor or volunteer.

NEW PODCAST EPISODE LOADING...

He went from quiet and shy to bold and confident.

On this month's episode of The Elevate Indianapolis Long-term Life-changing Legacies Podcast, Elevate & ATHS alum Mikhail shares how Elevate has helped him grow both professionally and personally.

Today, Mikhail is thriving at his apprenticeship and showing his siblings that they can overcome their circumstances to achieve their goals.

Tap here to listen to our full conversation with Mikhail.

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STAFF SPOTLIGHT: HEATHER ENCINIA

What is your role at Elevate?

I’m the Development Manager at Elevate Indianapolis, but I really see my role as a connector. I get to connect people who want to make a difference with a mission that is truly changing lives.

Which pillar of Elevate's mission (mentorship, accredited classes, S&A, College & Career, Alumni & Family Support) speaks to you the most?

Mentorship, without question. I believe relationships have the power to change the trajectory of a life.

There is incredible power in having an adult who keeps showing up—not because they have to, but because they genuinely care about who you are and who you are becoming. Someone who sees beyond your circumstances, reminds you of your worth, challenges you, celebrates you, and doesn’t disappear when life gets difficult.

That’s what I love about Elevate. We don’t just step into a young person’s life for a moment. We stay. And I think there is something profoundly powerful about that.

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What part of your role resonates with you the most? In other words, what is your "why?"

For me, development is so much bigger than fundraising. It’s about creating a community that wraps its arms around young people and says, “Your future matters to us, and you don’t have to get there alone.” That’s what makes this work personal for me.

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