WE BUILD FUTURE LEADERS
We teach life skills to advance the personal development of the whole-child to thrive and belong in and outside of their local community.
Did You Know?
The city of Los Angeles, has over 46,000 homeless people, that’s not including the county. Support Higher Ground for Humanity and build a more equitable future for the next generation.
Our vision is a society educated in life skills that furthers inter-generational social, economic, and racial equity.
Higher Ground for Humanity values belonging, equity, and inclusion as an integral part of our mission. We focus our work not only on youth development but also on building up resources for underserved communities.
How We Serve
Workshops
Workshops designed to advance communication with self and others in a gamifiedexperiential enviorment.
Minimum Donation $250
Grades 3rd - 12th
60 - 90 minutes sessions
Community Outreach
Higher Ground offers a wide range of community support year round by hosting informational booths at local markets, community events, and mental health town halls for all ages
All Ages
Free
Los Angeles, California
Summer Programs
Summer programming is for students who wish to learn new skills to build confidence in communication, money management, and nutrition.
All Ages
No Program Fees May Apply When Grants Are Available
Program options to fit student schedules
Student Demographics
Over half of our students come from black and brown communities.
80% of our students come from no income households and 20% come from low income households.
All of our programming is 100% subsidized.
A WORD FROM OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Maya Emelle
Founder, Executive Director
Joy McElveen
Performance Director
Sponsor a Higher Ground Student
Building Together
February
Community Outreach at Prosperity Market at the California African American Museum
Location: Los Angeles, California
Impact: We sponsored over 50 families with free grocery card guides and vegetable seeds to the local community to support their nutritional journey.
April
Joy Is Everywhere Workshop Youth Mental Health Town Hall w/ National Alliance Mental Illness
Location: Culver City, California
Impact: We sponsored a life skills workshop to 3rd-5th graders in self-expression teaching teachniques to improve communication and fitness through yoga, mindfulness breathing, journaling, and positive affirmations facilitate by Children’s Play Specialist Joy McElveen and Mindfulness Coach Maya Emelle.
April
Community Outreach - We celebrated Easter Sunday in Austin at the Mueller Market,
Location: Austin, Texas
Impact: We sponsored over 100 families with grocery card guides and vegetable seeds to the local community to support their nutritional journey.
May
Self Care Together Workshop at Tutwiler Education Center
Location: Tutwiler, Mississippi
Impact: A workshop designed for women of all ages, where they learned ways to improve their self care practices, through self-reflection, social media coaching and time management exercises facilitated by Children & Family Life Coach Ashley Blanco and Mindfulness Coach Maya Emelle
June
Summer Program Rise Summer Improv
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Impact:Supported 50 elementary students in the Los Angeles area with an improv classes designed to develop life skills to boost self-esteem and grow confidence in self-advocay and public speaking.
July
Summer Program Flavors of Orign Nutritional Wellness Festival at Boys & Girls Club Mar Vista
Location: Culver City, California
Impact: Serviced over hundreds of families with free educational booths, community resources, and expert panel discussions to support sustainable nutritional behavorial habits.
August - September
Programming Rise Summer Program Baldwin Hills Recreation Center
Location: Los Angeles, California
Impact:Supported 25 students from Baldwin Hills Elementary School from 3rd – 5th grade in the Los Angeles area with an improv classes designed to develop life skills to boost self-esteem and grow confidence in self-advocay and public speaking.
Program Funding
- 97% of HGW's grant funds are used on programming to support underserved youth.
- From 2021 to 2023, HGW increased donor contributions by 475% in 2 years.
- In 2023, HGW generated a revenue of $877.71, which represents a 132% growth from 2021.
Grant Awards | Source | Year |
|---|---|---|
2023 Pubilc Space Activation Grant | Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department | 2023 |
2023 Social Program Grant | Office of Holly J. Mitchell | 2023 |
2023 Sony Social Justice Fund | Sony Music Entertainment | 2023 |
Benefactor Demographics
Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
African-American/Black/African Descent | 75% |
LatinX
| 13%
|
Native American | 8%
|
European Descent
| 4% |
Gender | |
Male | 48%
|
Female | 52% |
Ages | 6(+) |
Where We Served
Organization Name | Location |
|---|---|
Boys & Girls Club Mar Vista Gardens | Culver City, CA |
Baldwin Hills Recreation Center | Los Angeles, CA |
Boys & Girls Club Santa Monica | Santa Monica, CA
|
Tutwiler Education Center | Tutwiler, MP
|
Mueller Farmer’s Market | Austin, TX |