We help young people ages 5-18 understand and appreciate the beauty and cultural experiences of various ethnic groups and communities. 

We invite other ethnic groups to interact with each other by attending field trips, workshops, and participating in camps where they have to depend on each other to develop survival skills.

We aim to help young people learn diversity through their own eyes and through their own experiences.

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The Career Enrichment program introduces 4th through 12th graders to a variety of successful businessmen and businesswomen.  In addition to exposing to careers in science, technology, and health, participants are taught computer skills, general office procedures, office etiquette, business writing, and general accounting skills. 

We invite companies to mentor our young people by providing 10 week internships.  This will provide them with "real world" work experience and enhance their skill development.  We will provide each youth with carfare and lunch money.  

Second Year Medical Students from Northwestern University Medical School teach 4th graders about the heart and hypertension 

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Participation in our counseling program is mandatory.  We do an assessment of violent risk, abuse, behavior, suicide, and depression.  Each week, youth must check in with us as part of their evaluation process.  We take the time to talk, fuss (if need be) and hug them.  We let our young people know that we love them unconditionally no matter what they do.

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Young people learn about Conflict Resolution, Cooking, Cleaning, Dating/Date Rape, Domestic Abuse, Etiquette, Preparing a Budget, Saving Money, Consumer Education, Learning Family Roles and Values, Moral and Community Values, Violence Prevention, Parenting, Taking Responsibility for their own actions, Team Building, Leadership Building, and Positive Survival Skills.

Peaches, Niki, and LaDonna
(Young Mothers)

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Each youth receives a mentor.  Our Virtuous Women and Men of Honor Mentoring programs help to support each youth. 

The counselors and mentors all work together as a support system to help all program participants.  We also teach the older youth to be role models for the younger children.

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Our Summer Preceptorship program is for young people entering or currently enrolled in high school with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above.  These young people are given the opportunity to work in a chosen career for 6 to 8 weeks. 

We invite corporations and health related institutions to take part in our program.  We pay our youth and provide transportation.

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Our young people are facing health and mental issues like never before, especially with the prevalence of HIV/AIDS, Asthma, Drugs, Smoking, and Suicide.  We "come clean" with our young people by telling them exactly what to expect when they choose to put their health at-risk.  We also discuss depression, poor eating habits, and physical impairments.

We equip them to understand why they may be going through certain life changes and how to deal with issues that seem overwhelming.  We teach and teach until it clicks in their heads and hearts.  We try to be examples of what we teach to our young people concerning their health and living a healthy lifestyle.  We also provide Biblical principles as the foundation for our teachings.

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The YES program is our entrepreneurship program for young people and young adults.  Products and merchandise from T-Shirts be Lifted will be available in our commercial retail stores.  Each YES participant is mentored by a business professional who teaches him or her the concept of operating and maintaining a successful business through an internship experience.

Each YES participant must be enrolled in school and keep a high academic record in order to maintain their employment.  Participants also create a quarterly newsletter and serve as our Youth Advisory Board.

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