2023 Impact report

2023 IMPACT report

A LETTER FROM Alec Dear Elevate Youth Family, As we approach the close of another remarkable year, I am filled with gratitude and excitement as I reflect on the incredible journey we have undertaken together at Elevate Youth. As the Executive Director, I am honored to share with you the impact and accomplishments that your unwavering support has made possible.

Our flagship programs, Odyssey & Community, reached new heights, fostering a sense of adventure, resilience, and leadership in the next generation. Through summer camp, environmental education initiatives, and adventure outings, we have empowered over 200 young individuals to connect with nature, discover their strengths, and develop skills that will serve them for a lifetime.

One of the highlights of this year was the successful launch of our Leaders Program.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we were able to expand our reach and offer more opportunities for our older youth to experience the benefits of outdoor leadership.

None of these achievements would have been possible without the steadfast support of our community. Whether through financial contributions, volunteer/mentor hours, or advocacy efforts, your commitment has propelled us forward and fueled our mission.

Your belief in the importance of breaking down barriers of access to nature for underserved youth inspires us to dream bigger and reach further.

In closing, I extend my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you who has contributed to the success of Elevate Youth in 2023. Together, we have created lasting memories, forged meaningful connections, and ignited a passion for the outdoors in the hearts of the next generation.

Wishing you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season and a Happy New Year filled with hope, adventure, and continued growth.

With Gratitude,

Alec Griswold Founder & Executive Director

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IMPACT REPORT 2023

Staff

Board of directors Mary Tuck Welch VP, Audax Group

ALEC GRISWOLD Founder &Executive Director Favorite Outdoor Activity: Fishing

SOPHIE GOULD Director of Programming & Operations Favorite Outdoor Activity: Hiking

John murphy Director, Platform Services/ Solutions, AthenaHealth Nicole davis Teacher, Milton Public Schools Robin bose Head of Business Operations, Vimeo ben jackson EVP North America Sales, BC Platforms

Waddy stryker Outdoor Instructor Favorite Outdoor Activity: Kayaking

Number of outdoor mentors & Volunteers

42

Emily Sacala Outdoor Instructor Favorite Outdoor Activity: Hiking

advisory board andy bernstein kira rey Jason cordeiro mike connolly cam regan susan gladstone joe gugino

Chaya harris Former National Program Director, Outdoor Afro Greg hErrema CEO, Discovery Life Sciences alexander reyes EY parent/School Police Unit, BPD sam kornstein VP of Strategy & Analytics, Cartesian julia jeffries Associate, McKinsey & Company

IMPACT REPORT 2023

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81 77 102

youth who completed 5+ trips

540+

hOURS SPENT OUtSIDE

205

Youth served

93%

After school program Days

Adventure trips

of participants identify as BIPOC

45%

identify As Female

92% are ‘high-needs’ according to Boston public schools

96%

felt supported by adult mentors

90%

felt happier after being outside with Elevate youth IMPACT REPORT 2023

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How we spent our time outside this year:

11%

10%

13%

29% 18%

9%

10%

Kids' favorite trips this year were alpine skiing and visits to a cranberry bog

thank you to our 2023 outfitting partners Wachusett Mountain Weston Ski Track Mass Audubon Drumlin Farm MA Department of fish & Wildlife Outward Bound Thompson Island Codman Community Farm Paddle Boston

Wah-tut-Cah Reservation Camps Piers Park Sailing ROckspot boston Blue Hills Trailside Museum Crossroads Camp Wing Bouldering Project Somerville RockSpot

In 2023, We are grateful to have received over $20,000 of in kind support from our Outfitting partners 5

IMPACT REPORT 2023

MICAH Age 11 Kenny School - 6th grade Joined EY Fall 2022 Participated in 46 outings “I love EY and want to have outdoor trips everyday!”

“I believe these experiences are going to have such a great impact on him in t future. We got him a camera because of his exposure to photography in Eleva Youth, now he wants to apply to the Boston Arts Academy with his portfolio - Micah’s Mom

In our Post trip Evaluations, our youth reported...

80%

increased self confidence

challenging themselves

87%

Trying something new

89%

IMPACT REPORT 2023

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Fish on!

2023 Fish on! Initiative Connected kids with nature through fishing. Together we learned patience, perseverance, and passion. Oh and we caught (& released) a lot of fish!

Locations Brookline Reservoir Lake Cochituate Scarborough Pond

14 TRIPS 109 ATTENDED Partnered with DFW AND Dcr

yOUTH LEADERs created a Sustainability project Graduates of our EY programming worked together to promote the reduction of single-use plastics and implement effective strategies to maintain the cleanliness of green spaces in local areas.

1O INauGUrAL MEMBERS mONTHLY MEETINGs

participating AS YOUTH LEADERS DURING EY OUTINGS

Golden Road Walked across America Matt & Grace (& Foxi & Nemo) walked the entirety of the East Coast Greenway- from Maine to Florida- while raising money & awareness for Elevate Youth!

Raised over $100,000

wALKED 3,000 miles

VisteD & walked with eY Students follow them on instagram @theggoldenroad

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IMPACT REPORT 2023

On to new adventures next year!