Gracie enjoys spending time with Amber. She is more confident, cooperative, and positive. Gracie is able to understand boundaries with others much better than before. She has blossomed over the year thanks to the continued support of adults around her like her Elevator.

-Calesha Williamson 

The Elevator Program has given our students a calm and safe space for a short amount of time in their busy and chaotic lives. The program has allowed students to create a friendship with a positive role model. Students are given a chance to express their emotions, practice social skills, and be themselves with an adult that cares and supports their choices or helps guide them in the best way possible. The Elevators visits give students a chance to be heard and seen, which they may not have at home. They’re eager to come to school. They know for that day, the day they get to see their Elevator, they’re loved and important.

Students whose light felt dimmed or those who may not have a chance to feel important or loved are given a chance to shine. Most of these students are surrounded by negative role models, defeating words, or bear the weight of responsibilities that are much too heavy for a child to handle. Students benefit because they’re given a chance to be a kid with a positive adult who is going to ask them how they are, ask them their interests, and give them the attention they desperately deserve and may not experience in their lives. They get an opportunity to have a guide in their life to help them with academics, goals, and hardships.

-Allison Epling 

Anayla is always excited to see her Elevator. It helps her behavior during the week. She always wants to make her Elevator proud!

-Brittany Lowe

I have noticed drastic changes in Colton since he started to meet with David. Each day Colton mentions David at least once and expresses how excited he is to see him the following week. When it is ‘David Day,’ Colton walks in eagerly and spends the day with the biggest smile on his face because he’s looking forward to their time together. Colton wears his heart on his sleeve, so any emotion he is experiencing he will communicate it very openly. Days spent with David always result in the biggest smile and an upbeat attitude for the remainder of the day. David is a positive influence for Colton who doesn’t have a male figure to look up to.

-Allison Epling