High Aspirations

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

High Aspirations is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit company based in Kansas City, Mo.

Founded in 2004, High Aspirations serves the social, emotional, academic and spiritual needs of African American males ages 8 to 18.

The organization offerings adult mentoring for young men, who meet the first four Saturdays of each month at the Lucile Bluford branch of the Kansas City Public Library, 31^st & Prospect.

High Aspirations stresses respect for the self and others, familial and community responsibility, academics and places these young men on a path toward becoming productive members of society, loving husbands and dutiful fathers.

The program is a success. Of the original 21 young men involved in the High Aspirations program:

—  4 are attending high school
—  15 graduated from high school
—  11 attended or are attending post-secondary school (either a two-year or four-year college)
—  3 are working full-time
—  2 are serving in the U.S. Military
—  2 are deceased (one died in an auto accident; the other was murdered)
—  and only 1 did not finish high school and is currently unemployed

With help from the community, High Aspirations will grow to serve 42 young men by the end of next year, and 63 young men by the end of 2013.