The Need

HA remains committed to best and evidence-based practices, strategies, and approaches, in order to evolve continuously through updated and enhanced programs responsive to the needs of Kansas City’s at-risk, black male youth. Outreach and collaboration, now grown to 85+ diverse, multi-sector partners, remains essential to recruitment and retention of program participants and mentors. To name a few: Stowers Institute, K-State, Union Station, Science City, Metropolitan Community College, Kansas City Zoo, Harvesters, Missouri Department of Conservation, Longfellow Neighborhood, ABMAY, US Engineering, Federal Court house, All Things Plants, Hermes Landscaping, Piano Lessons, etc.

High Aspirations has fully renovated a 30 thousand square foot permanent space for its members to use as a refuge and for mentoring sessions, homework completion, and weekly member meetings. Now we need more resources to support programming.

The Request

As an outreach function of High Aspirations, HA University aims partner with 40 corporations. HAU wants to “HIGH 5” YOUR business and at the same time invite you to join the HA University!

How it works

1. We’d like to meet with your company (DEI) to help drive diverse talent.

2. We’d like you to give our young men a two-hour introductory orientation on the work in your field. The young men to participate will be a mixture of HA young men, and young men from the community age 14-18. Share information, insights, and interesting facts about your industry or your company. Mock interviews, resume and cover letter writing should be part of the overall session. Also sponsor for the meals and activities leading up to, and during, the weekly HA sessions.

3. We will give you a HI-Five and you’ll be recognized as “High 5 Partner of the Week”. You’ll have one week that your company is honored. The boys will write a thank you note, and Henry Wash will publicly thank you on social media. Your logo will be included on the High Aspirations website under the HA University.

4. HA performs community service once a month on 4th Saturdays. Therefore, we ask you’d send a couple employees to help our young men on that 4th Saturday of the month your organization is honored.

5. We’d like for your organization to do one, or all the following: Thanksgiving (come help serve a meal to the young men), Christmas (bring a gift for a young man), Back to School Drive (bring a back pack) and Halloween (bring candy for the trunk or treat).

Our Commitment

For young men to participate they must do the following: RSVP, sign a code of ethics, and attend a 2-hour session with your organization. At the time of completion of the session, the participant will get a certificate with your company’s name on it. We hope you consider supporting this magnificent program!

The Impact

Your resources will provide lunch to our young men at their Saturday Sessions and help support the program.

In the end the young men who fully participate could earn a certificate that will provide the access to potentially get an entry level position at your corporation in the future. 

This program will impact 800 young men. We kindly request $5,000 for HA University which we believe is essential given the group of low-income young men we serve. We appreciate any support you can give. For more information, please call me directly 816-305-3334 or email at admin@highaspirationskc.org

Participating Businesses