Elevate Metro KC

Elevate Metro KC (EMKC) is a local affiliate of the national organization Elevate USA, and was established in 2019 to work with underserved, primarily students of color, in concentrated-poverty schools in the Kansas City metropolitan area. EMKC hires full-time salaried teacher-mentors (TMs) who represent the community being served. This builds an easy bridge of communication and trust. EMKC teaches and mentors approximately 250 students (grades 4-12) in the Center School District. By introducing students to positive and caring adults, students gain positive role models, no longer navigating life's toughest challenges alone. This relationship-based, application-infused model helps students grow holistically as they develop personal and relational responsibilities, strengthen their character, positively engage in their community, and experience school success. EMKC provides in-school and out-of-school mentoring to our students in four program areas. In School Accredited classes: The TMs teach accredited elective classes in character, leadership, and essential skills. Out of School Mentoring: The TMs spend half their time in the classroom and the other half outside the classroom mentoring the students; helping process their challenges and celebrate their victories while encouraging them to grow intellectually, socially, emotionally, spiritually, financially, vocationally, and physically. Adventure Activities: EMKC high school students participate in adventure activities offered regularly where they grow through challenges. Examples include zip lining, a trip to a local lake for fishing and boating, hiking, ice-skating, and mountain biking. College and Career: TMs work with students to build a post-high school plan and then track with the students for up to two years after high school, assisting and encouraging them as needed. All EMKC high school students classes and mentoring work on college and career pursuits. EMKC differs from other educational and youth development nonprofits in that it combines in-school teaching with out-of-school mentoring. This connection to both aspects of a student's day increases their capacity for academic and life success. EMKC's goal is that our students find employment with a stable career, have a healthy family system later in life, and be a part of forward change in their community by equipping youth like they were equipped in school.