Our Impact: Investing in Youth & Communities

Our Impact Timeline

Since our founding in 2021, we have worked to create meaningful opportunities for young people, families, educators, and communities. Our approach has grown from direct mentorship and support into programs focused on youth development, education, wellness, civic engagement, career preparation, and community empowerment.

2021 — Building the Foundation

  • March: Established the organization and began building our foundation for youth and community support.

  • November: Received official 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, allowing us to expand our programs and partnerships.

Impact: Established the organizational foundation needed to serve youth, families, and communities across Mississippi.

2022 — Investing in Youth Leadership & Wellness

  • Board members and Youth Ambassadors became Certified Mental Health First Aid providers.

  • Expanded our capacity to recognize and respond to mental health needs among young people and within the communities we serve.

Impact: Strengthened our organization’s ability to support the mental, emotional, and social well-being of youth and families.

2023 — Supporting Students & Educators

August — Back-to-School Uplift Bag Giveaway

We launched a 3-week open nomination campaign supporting students and educators in Marion County and Hinds County.

The initiative provided Uplift Bags to:

Educators

  • Sherecka Barnes — Pre-K, My Luv, Marion County

  • Editha Maxwell — 5th Grade ELA, East Marion

  • Ebony Rice — Kindergarten, Ambition Prep Charter School

  • Michelle Atkinson — Kindergarten, Ambition Prep Charter School

Students

  • Tamara Barnes — 11th Grade, Columbia High School

  • Tamyra Barnes — 11th Grade, Columbia High School

  • Kyson Bailey — 5th Grade, Ambition Prep Charter School

  • King Bailey — 3rd Grade, Ambition Prep Charter School

The purpose of the Uplift Bag initiative was simple: to remind students and educators that they have support, even when things become difficult.

December — Community Care

Partnered with NFusion Metro to distribute:

  • Socks

  • Hygiene products

  • Toothbrushes and toothpaste

  • Soap and deodorant

  • Bags for carrying essential items

Impact: Provided direct resources and encouragement to students, educators, and community members while strengthening partnerships focused on youth and family well-being.

2024 — Launching the YESS Project

In 2024, we implemented the Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Success (YESS) Project, expanding our work beyond immediate assistance into long-term youth development.

YESS focuses on five interconnected areas:

  1. Food Access & Sustainability — Community gardens, sustainable agriculture, and nutrition education.

  2. Entrepreneurship — Training young people with the skills to start and manage businesses.

  3. Civic Engagement — Leadership development, advocacy, community service, and participation in local decision-making.

  4. Cultural Awareness — Programs and events that celebrate diversity, culture, and community.

  5. Total Well-Being — Physical activity, mental health support, career preparation, and entrepreneurship readiness.

January- Organization invited to be a part of the Advisory Council for Rankin County Learning Center & College

  • Mentoring, Career Readiness, and resume building

June — Swim Safety & Wellness

  • Sponsored 5 children to receive swim lessons through Total Body Submersion Swim School.

July — Let's Talk & Make Change

  • Launched our first "Let's Talk and Make Change" series in partnership with NFusion Metro.

  • Provided students with food, snacks, bags, notepads, and gift cards for participating.

August — Supporting Educators

  • Collaborated with Sting Like a Bee Photography to support a local teacher with classroom supplies, snacks, and other resources needed to support students.

October — Anti-Bullying & Youth Support

  • Participated in Stomp Out the Bullying, hosted by NFusion Metro.

  • Provided donations to support the organization's Halloween activities.

November — Community Service

  • Conducted our first highway cleanup.

  • Youth and community members participated in hands-on community service and received certificates of completion.

December — Investing in Students

  • Adopted 10 students in partnership with Joe Joe Joy.

  • Four students received full support for their sports-related needs.

  • Students also received individualized investments toward academic and career goals, including supplies and mentorship opportunities.

  • Sponsored North Jackson Elementary.

  • Sponsored the Tougaloo Athletics Team with a meal while traveling for an away game.

  • Donated 2 Data Analytics, Simplified course packages to help students build career-ready technical skills.

The course packages included:

  • 4 weekly technical training sessions

  • 4 weekly career coaching sessions

  • Resume and LinkedIn development

  • Interview preparation

  • 8 weeks of coding challenges

  • Portfolio development resources

Impact: YESS expanded our impact from individual acts of support to a more comprehensive model focused on education, wellness, leadership, career readiness, entrepreneurship, and community engagement.

2025 — Expanding Direct Support & Educational Opportunities

January–May — Supporting Students & Families

  • Sponsored children's booster clubs.

  • Provided school supplies to students.

  • Distributed 100 feminine care packages to support students' health, dignity, and educational participation.

June — LIT Kids Summer Reading Program

Launched our first LIT Kids: Turning Readers Into Leaders summer reading program for children ages 6–12.

  • 10 children participated.

  • Students received sponsored lunches each day.

  • Each child received:

    • Pencil case

    • Pencils

    • Erasers

    • Reading log

    • Book bag

    • 2 books

    • Grade-level summer practice materials

    • Certificate of completion

The program was designed to help children maintain and strengthen their reading skills while connecting literacy with leadership and confidence.

December — Investing in Children & Families

  • Donated $1,000 to Joe Joe Joey's annual Child Protective Services adoption initiative.

  • Funding supported extracurricular activities, entrepreneurial opportunities, and individual needs.

Impact: Continued investing in the whole child by connecting educational support, basic needs, enrichment, and future opportunities.