About Us

Elevate Jacksonville Stock Photo 1

Elevate Jacksonville​

Our Mission

“To build long-term, life-changing relationships with urban youth, equipping them to thrive and contribute to their community.”

In Jacksonville, a large majority of urban youth lack even one caring adult in their life, leading directly to increased dropout rates, unemployment, crime, and other roadblocks to their success. Elevate has proven effective in changing these trends and transforming the lives of our nation’s youth. Elevate Jacksonville uses the same model that has been successful across the U.S. to help change the outcomes for students in our city.

 

Elevate Jacksonville Staff

Carla Austin - Program Director​
Program Director
Elevate Jacksonville
Carla Austin
Talisha Jones Teacher Mentor Westside High
Teacher Mentor
Westside High
Talisha Jones
Reynard Weaver Teacher Mentor Westside High
Teacher Mentor
Westside High
Reynard Weaver
Marissa Clowers Pipeline Coordinator
Pipeline Coordinator
Elevate Jacksonville
Marissa Clowers
Desiree Bacon Teacher Mentor Ribault Middle
Teacher Mentor
Ribault Middle School
Desiree Bacon
Brian Armstrong Teacher Mentor Westside Middle
Teacher Mentor
Westside Middle School
Brian Armstrong
Alesia Scott Teacher Mentor Westside Middle
Teacher Mentor
Westside Middle School
Alesia Scott

Our History

2017

Community Launch

Preliminary discussions started with city leaders about starting an Elevate affiliate in Jacksonville.

2017

2018

Formation

A board of directors was formed with plans to raise startup funds and hire an Executive Director.

2018

November 2018

Early Stages

Elevate Jacksonville hired and began training two Teacher-Mentors to work with students through school activities and community collaborations.

November 2018

January 2019

Raines Launch

The Elevate course began at Raines High School as an accredited, elective course with 91 students enrolled. Plans begin to launch Elevate at Ribault High School.

January 2019

January 2020

Ribault Launch

The Elevate course began at Ribault High School. This program is supported by a grant from the Weaver Family Foundation Fund at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida. Plans then began to launch Elevate at Ribault Middle School.

January 2020

September 2021

Ribault Middle Launch

Two more Teacher/Mentors were hired and trained, and the Elevate course began at Ribault Middle School in November 2021. Plans to launch Terry Parker High School began.

September 2021

January 2022

Terry Parker Launch

Two additional Teacher/Mentors were hired and trained, and the Elevate course began at Terry Parker High January 2022. Plans to grow further are being analyzed.

January 2022

Elevate Jacksonville Board of Directors

Skip Allcorn (Chairman)

Coastal Construction Products

Retired, Co-Owner & Co-Founder

 

 

Judith Addison

CDW

Senior Client Executive

 

David Bast

Young Life NE Florida

Executive Director

 

Gregory C. Burton

Duval County Public School Police

Executive Director

 

Isaac J. Brohinsky

Financial Solution Advisors

Partner

 

Leonard Chatman, Jr.

Author, Motivational Speaker

Chatman Speaks, LLC.

 

Patrick D. Coleman

Attorney at Law

Board Certified Specialist,

Labor & Employment Law

John Freeman

JaxUSA Partnership

Director, Business Development and

Global Cities Initiative

 

Hal Gatewood

Merrill Lynch

SVP Wealth Management 

 

Ben Goldsmith

Cru

Church Movements

 

Will Newton

Timucuan Asset Management

Commercial Real Estate

 

Joel Nunnery

Brasfield & Gorrie 

Construction Company

 

Gregory S. Redmon, Esquire

Attorneys at Law, P.A.

Senior Counsel

 

Bill Traer

Merit Financial Advisors

Retired, Director of M&A

Elevate Jacksonville Ambassadors

Bennett Brown

Old Glory Bank

Senior Vice President

 

Sam Coleman

Young Life

National Director of NGL

 

Mike Hartley

The Hartley Press

President

 

Jon Heymann

Education & Business Consultant

 

Karla Newton

Community Volunteer

 

Neely Towe

Pastor

Elevate Jacksonville

Believes in Transparency

Elevate Jacksonville believes in transparency and ensuring that everyone understands how we impact our community. You can download our most recent financial audit by clicking the button below.