Elevate+ Enters 2025 with Excitement and Optimism

Elevate to Even+ • January 14, 2025

Four women are standing next to each other in front of a white wall.

As we step into 2025, Elevate+ is filled with excitement and optimism for what promises to be another impactful year of fostering opportunities and equity. Thanks to the unwavering support of our partners, donors, and volunteers, we are poised to make significant strides. Their contributions are instrumental in empowering underserved students from low-income backgrounds and marginalized communities.

Expanding Opportunities with Partners

We are thrilled to share that we are close to achieving our goal of securing 40 internship opportunities with nonprofit organizations and an additional 10 placements with corporate partners. These opportunities represent a critical pathway for talented and motivated students to gain valuable work experience, build professional networks, and take meaningful steps toward economic equity.

Connecting Talent with Opportunities

Our host partners have provided detailed job descriptions, which we have distributed to our trusted talent sources, including schools, enrichment programs, and universities. Educators and program leaders are actively encouraging students to apply for these transformative roles. Our focus remains on reaching smart and driven students who often face systemic barriers to accessing such opportunities.

Enhancing Summer Programming

We are gearing up for an exceptional summer by enhancing our programming to better prepare students for the challenges ahead. This year, we are introducing a Candidate Strategies for Success program, designed to equip students with the tools and confidence they need to excel during the application and interview processes. This program will focus on skills such as crafting impactful application material, preparing for interviews, and learning effective communication strategies to leave a lasting impression.

In addition, we will continue offering:

Job Readiness Training to prepare the students for working in a professional environment
Masterclasses on personal branding and applying for jobs after completing school
Networking Events, which will include professional headshot photography sessions to help students build a polished and professional presence.
Role Model Speaker Series to inform, inspire, and guide our students on what it takes to succeed in a variety of fields

Financial Stewardship and Fundraising

We have fully transitioned to our new budgeting model, ensuring we can continue to scale responsibly. We are proud to report that approximately 90% of the funds we raise go directly into our programming, with the largest portion allocated to funding the wages of our interns. This commitment reflects our dedication to creating paid, equitable opportunities for students who need them most. Our fundraising efforts for this summer are in their final stages, and we are deeply grateful for the community’s continued support. We are nearing our goal of fully funding all planned internships. If you're inclined to donate to Elevate+ in 2025, doing so over the next few weeks will be particularly helpful.

Building on Past Success

Since our founding, Elevate+ has placed students into 150 internships across a range of positions, including marketing, accounting, education, and case management. In 2025, we aim to build on this success by expanding our reach and deepening our impact. Every placement represents not just an opportunity but a step toward closing the $1.5+ million lifetime earning gap faced by underserved students without internship experience.

Together, we are making a difference. Thank you for being a part of this journey. We invite you to continue supporting Elevate+ by sharing our mission, donating, or volunteering to help us create even more opportunities. Here’s to a year of growth, innovation, and empowerment in 2025!

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Showing Up Is Only the First Step

By Aguie Barrantes • July 8, 2026

Walking into a networking event alone is not exactly comfortable. I didn't know anyone, and I wasn't sure I belonged there. But somewhere between the first conversation and the second, that feeling changed. This summer, as the Marketing & Communications Intern at Elevate+ , I've learned that internships are about much more than completing projects. Managing and developing the Intern Spotlight posts, creating social media content, and building a content calendar and other marketing materials, including this blog post, have strengthened my organization, creativity, and communication skills. My biggest takeaway has been that building a personal brand starts before anyone is watching . Outside of Elevate+, one of my professors from Seton Hall introduced me to the opportunity to attend a two-day networking event at Next League. While I was nervous at first, I reminded myself that growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone . Connecting with students and professionals across the sports industry showed there isn't one path to success. Alongside Elevate+, I’ve also balanced two other part-time jobs with FC Motown and Momento. Whether it’s working long hours in the summer heat or adjusting to unexpected changes during a live event, I’ve learned that success comes from being adaptable and thinking on the fly. These experiences have shown me that the most valuable growth happens when you’re willing to step up and show up , regardless of the circumstances. Looking back on the first half of the summer, I’ve realized that my biggest growth hasn't come from checking projects off a list. It's come from putting myself in unfamiliar situations, asking questions, and embracing opportunities that once felt intimidating . As I head into the second half of the summer, my goal is to be more intentional about following up with the professionals I meet. I've had the opportunity to connect with many people, but I want those conversations to turn into meaningful, lasting relationships. Showing up is only the first step; following up is what makes a connection memorable .