Higher Ground Youth Center: A place where students can call their own and knkw they will be encouraged to elevate. HGYC is an amazing place that gives students the opportunity to excel in education, gain confidence in physical skills and to grow in building relationahips with others. Each and every day, students are welcomed and accepted as they are and are helped with their homework, trained in a sport and have a safe place to work through any petsonal needs they may persoanlly be going through.
HGYC does not just attract the students they serve, but high schoolers, college students and parents that as well are accepted and welcomed. It is not just a job to the leadership and staff, it s their passion to see lives changed.
I found out about Higher Ground through Craig's List, and since I wanted to work with kids, I checked it out.
HGYC is a place where kids can feel a closeness like family, but along with discipline and training as schools used to be. There is also a sense of instilling leadership qualities. I love helping kids out with their homework, which is the #1 priority before kids go on to anything else. The art room is on its way to transformation into a children's creativity studio. The different sports are a highlight for all the kids. The Wakefield school site is a wonderful place to expand this program. The organization is definitely on top of everything that happens and adjustments are continually made and communicated.
Volunteering at Higher Ground for several years now has truly impacted my life in many ways including my perspective on society. In order to improve ourselves, we must begin from the bottom and work towards a never ending objective. Just like the astronauts who are blasted into space hoping to reach the limits of the never ending cosmos, Higher Ground as well never truly reaches an end to improving the lives of others but simply works harder every day to reach out to as many children and parents with the resources available. No matter how far the limits are imagined to be, Higher Ground is there to continue discovering these limits to improving our communities through the sole basis of kindness and generosity. I was not introduced as an advocate, nor was I considered a regular volunteer for the time that I placed into helping these students. I was considered a life changer from the very beginning and to take on this identity was my promise to myself and a promise to those who really appreciated my time and my efforts. Higher Ground has impacted my life for the good but my experience cannot be compared to the differences it has made in the lives of many of these children who without a family like Higher Ground could have encountered mishap at its worse. I am a believer of good and what I have seen throughout the years at Higher Ground has truly filled me with a positive view on our future. Higher Ground doesn't just improve and change lives for the good but it saves lives as well. As a life changer, I have seen this positive change in many children's lives, but I cannot speak for any one of these children myself as to how great of an impact Higher Ground has been in their lives. I respect Higher Ground for becoming a center that truly cares for people on a personal level and works to bring our communities closer together through dedication, hard work and kindness. I am blessed to be a part of such a great organization and honored to play such an important role in this positive change toward our ever so growing communities.
Higher ground has been there for me. Since the begining where we were in a small room. And he was helping me with my math. I won't forget that day because it was the funniest thing I did that was school related. Other than that going befour that day. In high school I was the kid where I hate school and ditching and drinking was the best way! My family and myself moved close to the church. When I was known as mission view! And it came upon that wonderful day! After that summer I kept going to the church every Sunday. Wednesday when youth group, even royal rangers! All these activities and fun things going on I forgot the drinking and the ditching. Although if it wasn't for Jansen I might have been with my brother sharing a cell, maybe dead. But the thing that gets me is that he never gives up on me and I never seen him not giving up in anyone. I'm a single father now and going to school and work and taking care of my son and Jansen has never left my side and always gave me his support and love! From him the church and his wife and everyone! I wouldn't be the man I am today if it was not for him and higher ground. All the thank yous and all the money in the world can not pay back what he has done for me. My name is Francisco hernandez I'm 19 and a single parent. And I highly recommend higher ground. God bless you all and I hope this opens your eyes to other opportunities and decisions that can be open to you threw them!?
I absolutely love Higher Ground! I've been a volunteer for the past couple of weeks so I've been able to see how it functions. Everything Higher Ground does for these kids is amazing. They get the help they need on homework and once the hard work is fun they get to go learn new activities and just release all their energy. The environment is great, everyone working/helping out at Higher Ground truly love the kids and the program and they're determined to make it the best it can be. I've been hearing about the idea of Higher Ground for a few years now and actually becoming a part of their mission is amazing in itself. I'm apart of a team of people who want to change the world, one kid at a time. And in my opinion they're doing a great job. Mr. Azarias is such a blessing having started this program and without him this amazing group wouldn't have gotten started. I'm extremely blessed to know him and to have the opportunity to help in their mission.
Hi everyone, I would just like to say that Higher Ground has been the best experience of my 15 years of life. I say this because being and working in the program has made me develop healthy habits and good people skills. Especially with my people skills since im very quiet, shy and awkward when meeting someone new. Working with Higher Ground has also got me to think about the future that i would like to participate in when i get older. Such as volunteering and to try to make the community a better place.
Also, since Higher Ground has activities that the high schoolers can participate in, I am very thankful for them having jujitsu. When you have a instructor such as Mr. Jansen, you have someone there to motivate you to give it your all. Being in jujitsu and working out really inspired me to motivate myself more into doing physical activities and enjoy exercising!! It made me not want to be lazy anymore. If it wasn't for Higher Ground, i think i would still have my bad habits of not participating in any physical activity.
They have also treated me like family, and welcomed me with open arms. They don't just help you with homework, but with outside problems as well. When i had a difficult time in my life, which was when my brother committed suicide. Ms. Barbie was there for me and had my family in her prayers. I am very thankful for meeting someone like her and is an excellent role model. I hope one day I'm just like her and able to hold my ground.
Working with Higher Ground has also taught me to mature, and to know how to work in a professional environment. They have also prepared me to take on the work force. Such as answering phones, learning how to talk to people, interacting with people in a professional way and presenting yourself correctly and making a good first impression.
Higher Ground has taught me to focus on school and do everything on time. With their words and my parents as well, I now have a 3.5 GPA. I use to struggle a lot with math, until Mr. Jansen and other Life-Changers helped me understand my homework. The last math test i took, which was in geometry, I received a 104%. Only 4 out of the class passed with that percentage.
I am very thankful for what Higher Ground has done to my life and my familys as well.
Higher Ground has Amazing opportunities and can change your life for the better. Everyone should take the opportunity to try it out. I know once you'll try it that you're going to like it, a lot. Hopefully you don't just sit back and relax like i did. Once you come in you're going to want to kick those bad, lazy habits away. Just come and try Higher Ground and you'll love it at first sight.
Thank you for reading.
I have been a Higher Ground supporter for the past 3 years. I am so impressed and thankful for this nonprofit after school program. The staff and volunteers at Higher Ground take time to learn about every student in the program. They know what areas of school work that need attention. They learn how each student best receives encouragement and support. They strive to develop each student's self-esteem, motivation and individual talents. They ask every student about their hopes and dreams and encourage their youth to think about college and future career paths. They even have an area of the building painted to look like a café lined street in France or Italy. Students sit and talk with each other or volunteers at small round tables covered with richly colored tablecloths. Magazines are out on tables, so students are exposed to career opportunities and cities and neighborhoods around our world.
This is a one of a kind program where students choose electives in which to participate, once their homework is finished. They are encouraged to have respect, self-restraint, and work hard in all areas of their lives. Higher Ground also incorporates support for each student's family as part of its priorities. I highly recommend this program to students, families, volunteers, and donors. I have recently become a board member at Higher Ground and continue to be in awe of the mission and vision of this organization.
What God is doing here,In and through these people is unparralled.Learning respect,integrity and honor thru self defense.Life skills and fellowship.Keep it going !!!
I have worked at Higher Ground Resource Center with Jansen and Barbie and their hearts are for the Children and the Community. They welcome you with love and are very hospitable. It is a very loving atmosphere where everyone is greatly appreciated and welcomed! Both Jansen and Barbie live what they believe! They are an awesome couple who go out of their way to not only help those in need but to encourage those around them to be the best that they can be. They do practice what they preach! They really care about you and they show it. They work endless hours with no complaints and their fruit does show. They are great examples as leaders. The community is blessed to have Higher Ground there.
I have known Jansen for the past 7 years and have seen Higher Ground grow from the ground up. I have had the opportunity to volunteer off and on through the years and I must say that this program has made a huge impact on not only the students that attend but also the parents. This year my own kids are attending the program and they love it. Not only does it take the pressure off of us as parents when it comes to homework but we are assured that it will get done. For us this was huge, we have 5 kids all in school and some nights we would sit down for homework and it would take hours to do because the kids didn't want to do it. Now there is not a choice.
The volunteers all love the students and want to see them excel and be successful. That is the heart of Higher Ground because without the volunteers there wouldn't be a program. If you are a parent looking for a first rate program for your kids give Higher Ground a chance. It will change your kids lives and yours.
I have only volunteered at Higher Ground a couple of times, however it is clear that the work being done at this organisation is absolutely essential in creating better lives for the children living in Tucson.
I love volunteering here, it always puts a smile on my face, as the kids are so wonderful and talented!
Thankyou Higher Ground for all that you do!
Higher Ground has done so much for me. I remember when i first started, no one knew me. But now once i walk in, I hear my name every where. I was really fat and out of shape when i first joined. I didn't know how to pace myself, or control my asthma. Once i met Mr. Janson, he taught me breathing techniques to keep my asthma under control. I don't even use my inhalor anymore. If it wasnt for Higher Ground, i would have bad grades, and i wouldnt be an athlete.
I have just recently started volunteering at Higher Ground and it has already made a tremendous change in my life. The service that Higher Ground provides to Tucson's youth is unlike any I've seen elsewhere. Higher Ground allows student's to do homework in a safe, relaxed and enjoyable environment while allowing their parents the opportunity to work without the additional worries of paying for a sitter or after school care.
I hope that Higher Ground can be funded to the highest extent so that they may continue to change the lives of their students and faculty.
9 years ago my 9 year old son and I went through a really bad time. My father passed away in a house fire, his father and I divorced and I had a bout with breast cancer. I couldn't help my son with homework our life. I asked a guy from work to help me tutor my son. My son started inviting his friends to get help with their homework....fast forward...I married that guy, my 9 year old is now 18 and in college, and we started higher ground. I can honestly say if it wasn't for Jansen I as a single mom would have lost it all....but instead we wanted to help all the students that were just like my son young, smart, yet felt defeated.
Higher Ground was there for us when we needed it the most. Mr. Jansen and Mrs, Barbie helped our daughter become a great student and inspired her to serve the community too. Our daughter is now a Junior in HS and she returned to the program to volunteer for a year. She is now planning to go to college and she is active in serving the community. I volunteered as well for the program because I saw the need and the high demand for volunteers as the program kept on growing. I am very greatful for this program, I have seen and experienced with my own eyes what they have done, and what they are doing for our children and the community.
I don’t even know where to begin. When Higher Ground first started in 2007 my son starting attending there to get help with school work. Two years after that my husband was arrested and other than church this became our second home away from home. I have two children and I can’t even explain to you what Higher Ground meant to them. It was not only a place for them to go after school, it was a place to get help and grow. It was a place where they felt safe and where they learned to help others even in their time of grief. Having an absent father is like suffering a death when your 12 and 13 years old. When my children got bigger they became Life Changers. They really enjoyed helping other kids out.
The Azarias Family became my children’s second family. My daughter had a mother to talk to when I was working and my son had a father figure again (since he had no father at home). Becoming an instant single mother was very difficult for me but having a place like Higher Ground helped me adjust in fact when my schedule at work changed to days off during the week I then began volunteering by driving the Van. I use to pick up the students that did not have rides after school. I use to drive to three different school 3 days a week on my days off. It helped me deal with my situation and kept me busy. I can’t stop thanking God for this program because without it I don’t know what I would have done on those days that I didn’t have anywhere for my children to go. The Lord has anointed this family so much so that they love each and every child and each and every family no matter! They don’t look at your family and judge you they listen to your families needs and love you through those tough times.
Like I said before this place is a blessing from God. By nominating this program you would not only be supporting the children/youth of this city but you would be helping out not only your community but your future. These children are our future and we should invest in it. This place not only educates them and keeps them on the right track it helps them build confidence and character.
"Teach them [children] the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform." Exodus 18:20
My children have been attending at Higher Ground for three years. They helped them to improve their grades and behavior... Also we have become good friends with the principal and we are very grateful for the staff and volunteers that help a lot with our kids!!!!!!!
I volunteered for this wonderful program and can honestly say that this is a program committed to helping kidsfrom kkindergarten to middle school with not only academics but with personal growth as well. Thr directorJansen Azarias gives his all to these kids from teaching them jujitsu to talking to them and being an understanding and encouraging role model. I've seen first hand how caring and attentive they are to the children and also have been able to reach out a helping hand to children who are in need of guidance whether it be for school or problems at home. They offer help to families in need when there is counseling needed. This foundation is a blessing to have and sincerely hope that it grows and expands to reach out to kids.