Elevate Indianapolis

🌟 Empowering Future Leaders: The Importance of Elevate Indianapolis in Schools 🌟 As we continue to navigate an ever-evolving world, the role of organizations like Elevate Indianapolis in our educational system cannot be overstated. Elevate's presence in schools is not just beneficial but essential for shaping the leaders of tomorrow. Elevate Indianapolis is dedicated to equipping students with crucial life skills, mentorship, and guidance—elements that extend beyond traditional academic learning. By integrating these life-changing programs into schools, Elevate provides students with: -Mentorship and Support: Students gain access to positive role models in Teacher-Mentors who offer guidance, encouragement, and practical life-advice. This support can be transformative, helping students navigate and overcome personal and academic challenges. -Skill Development: Through unique lessons and interactive activities, students develop essential life skills and character qualities such as communication, leadership, and problem-solving. These skills are invaluable as they prepare for future careers and life after high school. -Inspiration and Motivation: Elevate’s in-school program inspires students to set and achieve their goals, fostering a mindset of resilience and ambition. When students see what's possible, they are more motivated to strive for success. -Community Building: By working closely in schools, Elevate strengthens community ties and promotes a collaborative approach to student development. This community support is crucial for creating a nurturing learning environment. As we all know, "it takes a village." We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our partner schools for their dedication and collaboration. Your support in integrating Elevate Indianapolis' programs into your curriculum is making a significant impact on students' lives. By working together, we are not only fostering a brighter future but also investing in the personal and professional growth of our youth. Let’s continue to champion this vital work and support the continued success of these transformative programs.

This week, our Monthly Vision & Operations Staff Meeting at Elevate was made even more impactful thanks to the incredible support and encouragement from Dr. Austin Dodd, EdD, NCC of Indianapolis Public Schools who joined us. Dr. Dodd’s dedication to empowering our team is truly inspiring. His insights and support are pivotal as we gear up for the new school year, and his investment in our orgnization's and staff’s growth and development is helping us start the year on a strong note. A huge thank you to Dr. Dodd for his time and the entire IPS team for believing in our mission and working alongside us. Here’s to a successful year ahead! #NoOneGetsThereAlone #IPSstrong #BigFamilyWithBigGoals

Today, we bid farewell to Jackson Gutierrez, who has been a key member of the Elevate Indianapolis team for over 5 years. Jackson’s commitment, hard work, and passion for advancing our mission have profoundly impacted our organization and the next generation we serve. Jackson and his wife have recently moved to Seattle, WA, to be closer to family. Although we will miss him here in Indy, we’re glad to share that he will continue working with us in a contractor role, focusing on marketing efforts remotely. Let's all join in and wish him the best as he starts this new chapter! 👏👏👏 Jackson, you will always be a valued part of our family. #ElevateIndianapolis #Farewell #Gratitude #NewBeginnings #Community

School is officially back in session and we're excited for another fantastic year ahead at George Washington Community High School, Arsenal Tech High School, Shortridge High School, and Purdue Polytechnic High Schools-Englewood! 🎉✨ At Elevate, we believe that true learning happens not just in the classroom but through meaningful relationships. That’s why our unique approach focuses on building strong, supportive connections between students and their Teacher-Mentors. These bonds create a nurturing environment where students feel seen, known, heard, and loved. Our Teacher-Mentors are more than just guides in the classroom—they’re role models and allies, available to students 24/7, who make a lasting impact by fostering trust and encouragement. This year, we’re looking forward to seeing these relationships blossom, helping students not only reach their academic goals but also grow personally and socially. A huge thank you to all of our strong partners, volunteers, and donors who make this supportive atmosphere possible. Together, we’re setting the stage for a year filled with growth, achievement, and life-changing stories of hope! Would you like to partner with us this school year?! You can contact our Community Engagement Manager, Braylon Myers, at braylon@elevateindy.org to learn more about partnership opportunities.

Putting some final touches on our classrooms as we prepare for the 1st day back 🧡 #NoOneGetsThereAlone

This month we are cheering on some of our alumni who have become Thriving Contributors following high school. Juli was a part of the Arsenal Tech High School graduating Class of 2021. She is currently in the teacher education program at the University of Southern Indiana When asked to share a quote of her own, she shared, “Getting continual support and keeping those relationships from Elevate well after high school in my college years have helped me thrive. It has given me the push and the drive I need to experience and grow in ways I could never imagine! Something I’ve learned along the way is to never assume the answer is no! Because the majority of the time it is not!” Once in Elevate, Always in Elevate - we are excited to support Juli as she works to grow and thrive.

Elevate Indianapolis was founded with a mission of building long-term, life-changing relationships with Indianapolis urban youth, equipping them to thrive and contribute to their community. Through our in-school and out-of-school programming, our Teacher-Mentors build those relationships with students, giving them a positive adult role model who can support them through their high school experience and beyond. https://lnkd.in/g5KtwraH

At Elevate, we have big goals as an organization. We want our students to have big present and future goals, and we want our city to have big aspirational goals for the students we serve. Watch this video of President & CEO Aaron Story, Chairman of the Board Vincent Ash Jr, MUP, Teacher-Mentor Theophis Gilmore Jr., Teacher-Mentor Mandy Schumerth, Eastside Pipeline Manager Joshua Mendoza, SHRM-ATD, George Washington High School students Talia and Marward as they share more about Elevate.

This summer Elevate had the best experience with a University of Indianapolis design intern. I've had interns and residents for 20 years in some form or fashion and I couldn't recommend Reid Bannec enough as a class of 2025 college grad! You are going to be seeing his design work for Elevate Indianapolis the next year ahead. But, here are 3 attributes that stand out on his service the last 2 months on our team that I believe transfer immediately to a strong professional career, entirely separate from his design talent. - Very coachable: Shows teachability and ability to take critical feedback WAY beyond his years. Takes none of it personal, asks smart follow up questions and applies immediately to the project. -Values communication skills: Both in-person and via technology, he understands how critical it is to communicate consistently, professionally and timely. Never needing to be reminded to check Slack, email or follow up. -Very adaptable: As far as I'm concerned adaptability alone makes or breaks most careers, especially of this younger generation. And Reid clearly understands how important it is to communicate and complete projects when it's needed, which for a non-profit in busy season is often not-aligned with the assigned hours of an internship. Can't thank him enough AND encourage my network enough to consider interviewing him upon for a position post graduation!

As Summer begins to come to an end, it is important to begin thinking of the Summer ahead. I truly believe that a positive summer camp experience can be life-changing. Young Life and Camptown, Inc. are a couple organizations who do Summer Camp right. A common question is “How do we get more kids out of the city and to a positive Summer Camp?” These opportunities help our youth disconnect from technology and negative mindsets, have positive first time experiences, challenge their comfort zones, develop positive communities and support around them, refresh before a new school year, and overall, just grow. If you have a heart to help kids get to a Summer Camp, specifically a Young Life or Camp Town camping experience, I urge you to support an organization like Elevate Indianapolis that will get them there! To donate or learn more about Elevate Indianapolis you can visit our website at www.ElevateIndy.org #SummerCamp #Elevate #ElevateIndy #ElevateIndianapolis #FirstTimeExperience #PositiveExperience #DisconnectTechnology #ComfortZones #Growth #YoungLife #CampTown #Refresh