A letter from our Executive Director

Dear Friends & Partners,

In reflecting on the past year, I want to share my deep appreciation for your support of Elevate Youth. Author and activist Richard Louv says,“Time in nature is not leisure time; it’s an essential investment in our children’s health,” and together we are working to ensure more youth have a bright and healthy future. The work we do is only possible with encouragement from champions like you.

Here are some highlights from this year:    

• We served 270 youth regularly in the outdoors with over 70 caring adult role models

• We ran 84 outdoor outings with 25 enrichment programs

• We expanded to 5 youth organization partners and 2 school partners

• More than 80% of the youth we served this year are youth of color

Our partners have truly seen the impact Elevate Youth is having on kids. They have observed that young people who participate in our programs are showing a greater appreciation for the outdoors, a propensity to try new things, a sense of comfort with themselves, and an outward pride in belonging to Elevate Youth. Our youth inspire us every day, and we are grateful for the opportunity to share all the benefits that come from spending time in nature.  

This holiday season, we hope you will make some time to get outside and share this sentiment from one of our young people, “It is peaceful. And I loved how I felt in the embrace of nature.” 

Best wishes for a wonderful holiday and a very Happy New Year.  

Thank you for all that you do,

Alec Griswold

Founder & Executive Director