Who We Are
Growing4ward formerly known as APEX has been in service for the youth for over 20 years providing manhood training, mentoring, college tours and Life-Experience excursions for young men and women whom most people have given up on. Most time the schools and Programs are focused on students that are doing well and show up to school. Most weekend programs (stem, robotics, science, coding etc.) are great programs, however how do we get those students that barely attend school M-F to weekend programs? We don't. So, they remain just where they are. Growing4ward focus is on the students that are not doing well, the students who are labeled as "trouble and actually are trouble, the students that are involved in Gangs, the students that do not show up as they should to school, for the students that are being "lost and in their minds.........."forgotten about". The students that are being told they can’t achieve or won’t be anything in Life because of their attitude or actions. The students that are told College is not for them.
Growing4ward has not been intimidated by these types of students/young adults in fact we go after them. There is nothing more promising than to watch a young man or lady, who has served time in juvenile Jail, who are gang-related or has struggled with behavior or academic issues, walk across a High School or better yet a college stage to receive his or her diploma. There is nothing like watching a student on a College Tour who is withdrawn, who barley talks or expresses themselves finally begin to open-up, meet people and allow the walls to fall. There is nothing like watching the gang banger go on a college tour and actually, “be a "Kid" and consider College as an option. Those feelings are explainable. We have been able to experience and watch these types of instances unfold right before our eyes. We find that a lot of these kids are seeking attention, Love, discipline with a sense of belonging. Growing4ward gives them just that along with the experiences outside of their normal environments. It's not just a trip. Each excursion is an educational experience with great teachings on a sense of family. We mentor and build lasting relationships with each student. We connect them with each other. We communicate with parents. We attend graduations. We show up at schools for those boys that are missing fathers and or Mothers. We have the history of young boys and girls that are now men and women with families that have become Teachers, Lawyers, Professionals giving back to their communities and are now sending their children on our excursions and to our programs. It’s not rocket science nor is it a miracle it’s just caring and putting the extra work in. It hasn't been easy, but it has been rewarding to watch dreams unfold.
Growing4ward has not been intimidated by these types of students/young adults in fact we go after them. There is nothing more promising than to watch a young man or lady, who has served time in juvenile Jail, who are gang-related or has struggled with behavior or academic issues, walk across a High School or better yet a college stage to receive his or her diploma. There is nothing like watching a student on a College Tour who is withdrawn, who barley talks or expresses themselves finally begin to open-up, meet people and allow the walls to fall. There is nothing like watching the gang banger go on a college tour and actually, “be a "Kid" and consider College as an option. Those feelings are explainable. We have been able to experience and watch these types of instances unfold right before our eyes. We find that a lot of these kids are seeking attention, Love, discipline with a sense of belonging. Growing4ward gives them just that along with the experiences outside of their normal environments. It's not just a trip. Each excursion is an educational experience with great teachings on a sense of family. We mentor and build lasting relationships with each student. We connect them with each other. We communicate with parents. We attend graduations. We show up at schools for those boys that are missing fathers and or Mothers. We have the history of young boys and girls that are now men and women with families that have become Teachers, Lawyers, Professionals giving back to their communities and are now sending their children on our excursions and to our programs. It’s not rocket science nor is it a miracle it’s just caring and putting the extra work in. It hasn't been easy, but it has been rewarding to watch dreams unfold.
Snapshots of Growing4Ward in Action
College Tour - Spring 2017
OUR VISION
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We Can Do ItWe believe that our work is truly making a difference for people all over the world and here in our community. We hope that one day, everyone will share our passion for change. We invite you to join us on our mission to improve the lives of those who need it most. With the right attitude, and a bit of support, our dreams can and will be realized.
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