High Aspirations Inc.
High Aspirations Inc.
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About this organization
Mission
High Aspirations will raise African American males’ aspirations by initiating innovative ways to improve the quality of their lives spiritually, emotionally, socially and academically.
About
High Aspirations serves youth in Kansas City's urban core, from the Missouri River to 95th Street; State Line to I-435. According to the Kansas City School District, the median income in this area is $34,100, and more than 80% of all students receive free or reduced lunch. Most mentees live in single parent, female-headed households. In Missouri, the high school graduation rate for African American males is 54% compared to 70% for white males. Only 42% of African American males graduate high school on time. African American males make up 4% of the overall college population and of these, 33.1% graduate within six years. A violent crime occurs in Missouri roughly every 20 minutes, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. In 2017, St. Louis and Kansas City made the top 10 list of murder capitals. Homicide is a long-standing problem in Kansas City that has economic as well as human effects. At least 30% of homicide victims each year are between the ages of 17 and 24. Between 2/3 and 3/4 of Kansas City's homicide victims each year are African American, and approximately 60% of the African American victims are males. Among known suspects, roughly 40% each year are African American. High Aspirations intervenes early in a young man's life to prevent him from becoming a victim or a perpetrator of crime. Measurement - The University of Kansas oversees our program evaluation. Each young man is expected to evaluate his own progress, based on his five-step action plan. Working with our Program Specialist, they will review report cards, weekly mentee trackers, and attendance and program participation logs. In addition, surveys measure social involvement, attitudes about risk-taking behaviors, and the importance of schoolwork. According to KU, "HA's young men have improved their GPA's by 17% and 68% either made the honor roll or improved benchmark scores and grades." There are three components that contribute to HA's young men's success: 1. Those who make contact weekly with their mentors are more successful. 2. There is a positive correlation between contact and retention. 3. Those who join the HA Leadership Council and attend regularly raise their GPA's to 3.0 or Higher. Every young man who enters the program, regardless of age, is expected to establish his own five-step action plan designed to raise grades, increase community involvement, and improve relationships. Participants are expected to participate in HA programs and are evaluated based on their individualized, five-step action plans. Evaluation criteria include attendance, behavior, grades, discipline, and leadership. High Aspirations has four different levels: observation, fundamentals, high standards and high aspirations. We track each young man's progress. Olympics - High Aspirations has an Olympics program approach that challenges the young men to strive for excellence in four key areas: Academics, HA Activities, Relationship Building, and Community Service. The Olympics engages all young men, parents, and mentors in a way that fuels competition among the different mentoring groups and rewards the success of the young men for their consistent commitment to High Aspirations program principles.
Interesting data from their 2020 990 filing
The purpose of the non-profit is stated in the filing as “To raise african american males' aspirations by initiating innovative ways to improve their lives socially, emotionally, academically, and spiritually through mentoring programs. our vision is to be the recognized resource in the kansas city urban core for developing personal life-skills in african-american young men to enable them to live socially productive lives.”.
Their activities were defined as: “To raise african american males' aspirations by initiating innovative ways to improve the quality of their lives spiritually, emotionally, socially, and academically.”.
- As per legal requirements, the non-profit's state of operation is reported as MO.
- The non-profit's address in 2020 as per the filing is 6320 Brookside Plaza Suite 263, Kansas City, MO, 64113.
- The form of the non-profit organization shows 7 employees as of 2020.
- Is not a private foundation.
- Expenses are between $250,000 and $500,000.
- Revenue is greater than $1,000,000.
- Revenue less expenses is $980,708.
- The organization has 15 independent voting members.
- The organization was formed in 2005.
- The organization pays $154,219 in salary, compensation, and benefits to its employees.
- The organization pays $56,864 in fundraising expenses.