Lifting As We Climb Foundation Available

Lifting As We Climb Foundation structures intentional youth development through multi-year school partnerships and cohort-based mentorship. Founded in 2017 in Pelham, the organization coordinates direct student interventions across Birmingham and Jefferson County public schools, focusing on academic continuity, social development, and vocational preparation. Rather than offering one-off advisory sessions, the foundation commits to student cohorts from ninth grade through high school graduation. Its flagship Black Rhinos Mentoring Program and the Eden’s Garden Girls Mentoring initiative engage students at critical transitional stages, establishing long-term behavioral benchmarks, personal accountability standards, and career orientation.

Mentoring cohorts follow an operational curriculum addressing conflict resolution, practical etiquette, career and military pathways, and cultural literacy. To reinforce academic performance alongside emotional maturity, the foundation runs high school tutoring programs deployed via in-class support, virtual sessions, and targeted pull-out instruction. Mentors systematically assess academic deficiencies, coordinating with local educators in districts such as Fairfield, Hueytown, Center Point, and Bessemer City to track student progress across semesters. In addition to classroom instruction, the foundation facilitates practical workshops covering financial literacy, introductory home-buying concepts, and vocational skill acquisition, giving teenagers tangible skills for adulthood.

Experiential learning serves as a fundamental pillar of the foundation's approach. Cohorts take part in structured field trips to educational landmarks such as the Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Peace and Justice, directly confronting regional history and social justice themes. Creative expression is woven into programming through collaborations with local artists, while outdoor programs—such as overnight camping at Oak Mountain State Park—introduce youth to teamwork, environmental awareness, and wilderness resilience. The foundation also coordinates job shadowing opportunities with corporate and civic partners, exposing students to corporate offices, skilled trades, and public service environments before graduation.

Schools and community partners initiating new cohort sponsorships or mentor placement typically complete program alignments prior to the start of each academic semester. Parents, prospective mentors, and school administrators must submit onboarding paperwork and background verification materials approximately four to six weeks before the fall or spring semester kickoffs. Initial program evaluations review student attendance records, baseline academic standing, and specific behavioral goals to ensure mentees are placed in appropriately balanced small groups with trained adult volunteers.