Higher Ground is committed to helping our youth learn valuable tools that will train them to be productive members of society. Our Teen Workforce Program focuses on three different age groups, each group is a stepping stone to the next level of job training. 

For more information on how the program is structured, and to learn about our three tiers within the workforce, click on the image below to enlarge it. 

 The program is designed to help students between the ages of 11-25 find their strengths and talents. We also encourage them to be influential peer leaders. We push them to choose a career that strikes their passion and is relevant to their community.

 Our goal is simple: we aim to develop culturally competent Individuals that will succeed in the field of youth development and beyond.

• Provide students with small group instruction

• Administrative duties 

•  Community service hours

• Letters of recommendations for colleges/universities and job/career opportunities

• Internship opportunities for college graduation hours

• Summer job placement

• Financial aid workshops

• Resume building

• Senior projects

• Service learning projects

• Lead enrichment classes

• Bi weekly professional development workshops and learn to lead peer workshops on various health topics

•  Planned and hosted 2 annual community engagement event and Scored "thriving" in all external site visits by the district! 
   

• Have presentred at our state capitol!

  Our objective is to teach students these skills though weekly health and professional development sessions.

Students are expected to perform what they learn from each training and on the job coaching. They are also expected to lead health discussions amongst their peers throughout various events.

Above: A group of over 30 youth attend Orientation Day, by project lead, Mrs. Khariyyah Shabazz-Wade. Orientation consist of welcoming the youth to the Teen Workforce Program, and begin getting to know each participant to learn about their skills and talents to then place them in appropriate task.

Above: Participating youth workers begin to lean the names and uses for each individual tool they will be working with over the course of their project. The training is on location, and the instructor is Coach Reggie Archie, who has over 25 years experience in outdoor education. 

Above: Participating teens, working hard on a community restoration project in the Sobrante Park Community.

Above: a well deserved break is spent getting to know one another better. Extercize lead by project mentor, Coach Kennith. Teens ask valuable questions during the extercize that will help them in the days projects. 

Above: a group picture of our largest teen workforce program participants. These teens worked all summer in a variety of community projects, and received valubale training for real world jobs as well as a hard earned paycheck for their work!



If you are a community member who has a project for neighborhood development and are interested in helping us build a strong workforce in today's youth, think about choosing our Teen Workforce Program to carry out your project! Give us a call, for more information on how you can help this project grow and remain a program that supports our youth!

 If you would like more information on any Higher Ground service, please call the office at: 510-658-6454 ask for Amber Blackwell, MA Programmatic Operations Director or Tiffany Gipson, Administrative Operations Director at highergroundndc@yahoo.com