“You must take care of your community, because it should be inconceivable to turn a blind eye to anyone in need of help, if you have help to give."
— James Willard Anthony
Our mission is to identify, capture, and nurture the potential of youth as they are the next generation to “lift as they rise.” This mission is anchored to the message in the African proverb “It takes a village…” which extends our outreach to address other issues in their communities that impact them. This includes food, shelter, physical and mental health, and social justice issues. While we are a small non-profit, each youth we impact is potentially rescued and available for future community uplift.
Dr. Barbara Rhodes
Founder & Director Emeritus
- Professor Emeritus
- California State University, Northridge
- BA, University of California at Los Angeles
- MA, University of Southern California
- PhD University of Southern California
- Postdoctoral work: UCLA, University of California, Irvine
- Teen Mentor Program (multiple funders)
- Partner: DuBois-Hamer Institute at California State University, Northridge to outreach and mentor first-generation college students of color
- Partner: Empowering Youth to Serve (3 years) (funded by The California Endowment)
- Partner: Village Foundation/Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), Las Vegas, NV
- Partner: Empowering Youth to Succeed (5 years) (funded by federal government)
- Partner: African American Manhood Organization
- Adolescent Based Abstinence (5 years) (funded by the federal government)
- Cesar Chavez Program (funded by the State of California)
- HIV/AIDS Education for Youth (5 years) (multiple funders)
- DuBois-Hamer Saturday School (6 years) (funded by the State of California)
- Cable television show (15 shows) – “Youth Taking Charge: Paths to Empowerment
- Summer Leadership Institute (3 years-residential program on CSUN campus)
- Homeless Advocacy
- Healthy Foods/Healthy Communities (funded by Centers for Disease Control)
- Tobacco Cessation Program (funded by State of California)
- Scholarships and Emergency Tuition Assistance
- Northridge Chamber of Commerce Lifesavers Award
- Mayor’s Certificate for Community Service
- Los Angeles Unified District Seven Star Awardee-2003
- NAACP Community Service Award
- City of Inglewood Commendation for Community Service
- BSU Award for Community Service
- Women’s Commission on Alcohol and Addiction Certificate of Appreciation
- Northridge Chamber of Commerce Lifesaver Award
- Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition (3)
- Certificate of Recognition-California State Assembly
- Certificate of Recognition-California Senate
- Certificate of Recognition-California Legislature
- County of Los Angeles Commendation